2010 BUICK LUCERNE sensor

Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system. Read this entire section before using the
system.
{WARNING:
SBZA is only a lane changing aid and does not
replace driver vision. SBZA does not detect:
.Vehicles outside the side blind zones which
may be rapidly approaching.
.Pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals.
Failure to use proper care when changing lanes
may result in damage to the vehicle, injury,
or death. Always check the outside and rearview
mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use the
turn signal before changing lanes.
When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind
zone, amber SBZA displays will light up in the side
mirrors. This indicates that it may be unsafe to change
lanes. Before making a lane change, always check the SBZA display, check the outside and rearview mirrors,
look over your shoulder for vehicles and hazards, and
use the turn signal.
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of approximately one
lane over from both sides of the vehicle, 3.5 m (11 ft).
This zone starts at each side mirror and goes back
approximately 5 m (16 ft). The height of the zone is
approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft) and 2.0 m (6 ft) off
the ground.
3-39

The SBZA displays may remain on if a trailer is
attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or object is
extending out to either side of the vehicle.
When SBZA is disabled for any reason other than the
driver turning it off, the driver will not be able to turn
SBZA back on using the DIC. The SIDE BLIND ZONE
ALERT ON option will not be selectable if the conditions
for normal system operation are not met. Until normal
operating conditions for SBZA are met, you should not
rely upon SBZA while driving.
SBZA Error Messages
The following messages may appear in the DIC:
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM OFF:This
message indicates that the driver has turned the
system off.
SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS. UNAVAILABLE: This
message indicates that the SBZA system is disabled
because the sensor is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone. The sensor may be
blocked by mud, dirt, snow, ice, slush, or even heavy rainstorms. This message may also activate during
heavy rain or due to road spray. The vehicle does not
need service. For cleaning, see
Washing Your Vehicle
on page 6‑104.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM: If this
message appears, both SBZA displays will remain on
indicating there is a problem with the SBZA system.
If these displays remain on after continued driving, the
system needs service. Take the vehicle to your dealer.
FCC Information
See Radio Frequency Statementon page 8‑20for FCC
information.
Frequency of operation: 24.05GHz –24.25GHz
Field Strength: Not greater than 2.5V/m peak
(0.25V/m average) at a distance of 3 m.
The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV
interference caused by unauthorized modifications to
this equipment. Such modifications could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
3-41

6(Low Speed): Slow wipes.
1 (High Speed): Fast wipes.
9 (Off): Turns the wipers off.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged blades should be replaced.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
The vehicle has wiper-activated headlamps. After the
windshield wipers have completed eight wipe cycles
within four minutes, the headlamps automatically turn
on. See Wiper Activated Headlamps
on page 4‑13for
more information.
Rainsense™ II Wipers
If the vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is
mounted on the interior of the windshield beside the
rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the
wipers. This system operates by monitoring the amount
of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes occur as
needed to clear the windshield depending on the driving
conditions and the sensitivity setting. In light rain or
snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy rain or snow,
wipes will occur more frequently. The system operates
in the delay mode. If the system is left on for long
periods of time, occasional wipes may occur without
any moisture on the windshield. This is normal and
indicates that the Rainsense™ system is active.
4-7

The Rainsense™system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the five sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The position closest to off is the
lowest sensitivity setting, level one. This allows more
rain or snow to collect on the windshield between
wipes. Turning the wiper band away from you to higher
sensitivity levels increases the sensitivity of the system
and frequency of wipes. The highest sensitivity setting,
level five is closest to low. A single wipe will occur each
time you turn the wiper stalk to a higher sensitivity level
to indicate that the sensitivity level has been increased.
Notice: Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers off
when going through an automatic car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the Rainsense™ function. The system
can be overridden at any time by manually changing the
wiper control to low or high speed.
Notice: Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the rain
sensor. Doing this could cause the rain sensor to
malfunction.Windshield Washer
{WARNING:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
J(Washer Fluid): Press and release this paddle,
located at the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever,
to spray washer fluid on the windshield. The wipers will
clear the windshield and either stop or return to the
preset speed. For more washer cycles, press and hold
the paddle.
4-8

Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on and have
completed eight wipe cycles within four minutes.
When the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF, the
wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off. The
wiper-activated headlamps also turn off if the windshield
wipers are turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps
or parking lamps on, remove the key from the ignition
and open the driver's door, you will hear a continuous
warning chime. The chime will turn off when the lamps
are turned off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL, so be
sure it is not covered.The DRL system makes the low-beam headlamps turn
on at reduced brightness in daylight when the following
conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp button for the headlamps is off.
.The automatic transmission is not in P (Park).
When the DRL are on, only the low-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on.
When it is dark enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on
with the headlamps will also turn on. When it is bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and the
low-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when the
vehicle is parked, turn the exterior lamp control to
the off position. The exterior lamps will turn back on
automatically when the transmission is moved out of
P (Park). See Exterior Lamps
on page 4‑12for more
information.
The regular headlamp system should be turned on
when needed.
4-13

Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic Fan):When AUTO is selected on
the fan control, the system automatically adjusts the fan
speed. If the OnStar
®system is activated when this
position is selected, the fan speed will lower.
AUTO (Automatic Mode)
1. Turn the fan control to AUTO.
2. Turn the mode control to AUTO.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting between 68°F (21°C) and 78°F (26°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool
any faster. In cold weather, the system starts at
reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air into
the vehicle until warmer air is available. The
system will start out blowing air to the floor, but
may change modes automatically as the vehicle
warms up to maintain the chosen temperature
setting. The length of time needed to warm the
interior depends on the outside temperature.
4. Wait a few minutes for the system to automatically regulate. Then adjust the temperature as
necessary to find your comfort setting. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see
“Sensors”later in
this section.
After the vehicle is started, the display shows the
interior temperature settings.
When the ENG/MET (English/metric) button on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) is pressed, the display
shows readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Use the
ENG/MET button to toggle between the readings.
AUTO (Automatic Air Conditioning): If AUTO is
selected on the fan or mode control, the system
automatically controls the air conditioning compressor.
The A/C compressor runs automatically even at cool
outside temperatures in order to dehumidify the air. The
A/C indicator light is lit when the system is operating
automatically. Press the A/C button on the fan control to
turn off the A/C. To clear windows better in defog or
defrost modes, the A/C compressor runs automatically
in damp cool conditions.
4-23

Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, in the
middle of the instrument panel, monitors the solar
radiation. Do not cover the solar sensor or the system
will not work properly.
There is also an interior temperature sensor located
next to the steering wheel that measures the
temperature of the air inside the vehicle.There is also an exterior temperature sensor located
behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside air
temperature and helps maintain the temperature inside
the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the vehicle could
cause a false temperature reading to display.
In order to prevent false temperature readings at
startup, the displayed temperature will not change until
the following occurs:
.Vehicle speed is above 10 mph (16 km/h) for
five minutes.
.Vehicle speed is above 32 mph (51 km/h) for
two and a half minutes.
The climate control system uses the information from
these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the
air delivery mode. The system may also supply cooler
air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The
recirculation mode will also be used as needed to
maintain cool outlet temperatures.
4-26

Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's electrical system for
possible malfunctions. If the light stays on it indicates
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 2‑56.
The airbag readiness light
flashes for a few seconds
when the engine is
started. If the light does
not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also
come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑55for more information.
4-33