Page 177 of 450

Black plate (21,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
AUTO (Automatic Mode)
1. Turn the fan control to AUTO.
2. Turn the mode control to AUTO.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable settingbetween 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.
h(Auto Recirculation): If AUTO is selected on
either the fan or mode control, the system automatically
controls the supply of fresh outside air or recirculates
the interior air to cool the car faster. The indicator light
on the recirculation button will light whenever the
system switches to recirculation. You may force outside
air by pressing the outside air button. The next time
AUTO fan or mode is selected, it will reset back to
AUTO operation.
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Black plate (22,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Manual Operation
9(Off):Turns the climate control system off. Outside
air still enters the vehicle and is directed to the floor.
The airflow direction and temperature can be adjusted.
If the temperature is adjusted while the system is off,
the display will light to show the current settings.
w x(Driver Temperature Controls): Press these
buttons next to the fan control to increase or decrease
the temperature inside the vehicle.
w x(Passenger Temperature Controls): Press
these buttons next to the mode control to increase or
decrease the temperature for the front passenger. If the
passenger climate control system is off, pressing one of
these buttons turns it on.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turning this
control completely counterclockwise turns on the
automatic fan operation.
If the airflow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air filter
may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 4‑25and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the airflow
in the vehicle. To change the current mode, select one of the following:
F(Vent):
Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.
*(Bi-Level): Air is divided between the instrument
panel outlets and the floor outlets. In automatic
operation, cooler air is directed to the upper outlets
and warmer air to the floor outlets.
7(Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets, with some
air directed to the windshield and side window outlets.
If recirculation is selected while in this mode, it stays on
for three minutes to reduce windshield fogging.
W(Floor/Defog): This mode clears the windows of fog
or moisture. Air is directed to the floor outlets, with
some air directed to the windshield and side window
outlets. The system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the floor/defog mode.
0(Defrost): This mode removes fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and the side window outlets. The system
automatically turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation
cannot be selected while in the defrost mode.
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Black plate (23,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
#(Air Conditioning):Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off and override the
automatic system. An indicator light below the
button comes on to show that this mode is on.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip under the
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This
is normal.
:(Outside Air): Press to let outside air enter the
vehicle. An indicator light comes on to show this mode
is on. Pressing
?cancels this mode.
?(Recirculation): Press to turn the recirculation
mode on. An indicator light below the button comes on
to show that this mode is on. This mode recirculates
and helps to quickly cool the air inside the vehicle.
It can be used to prevent outside air and odors from
entering the vehicle. This mode cannot be selected
while in the defog or defrost modes. If you try to select
the recirculation mode, the indicator light flashes
three times and turns off.
Operation in this mode during periods of high humidity
and cool outside temperatures may result in increased
window fogging. If window fogging is experienced,
select the defrost mode.
PASS (Passenger Climate Control): Press to turn the
passenger climate control systems on or off. When the passenger climate control system is on, the
passenger temperature setting is displayed.
If the PASS button is pressed to turn the passenger
temperature setting off, the driver temperature setting
controls the temperature for the entire vehicle.
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.
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Black plate (24,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
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.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
<(Rear Defogger): Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button
comes on to show that the rear window defogger is on.
Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window as
possible.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition
is in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on for
about 20 minutes after the button is pressed if the
vehicle is traveling at slower vehicle speeds. At higher
vehicle speeds the rear window defogger may stay on
continuously. If turned on again, the defogger only runs
for about 10 minutes before turning off. The defogger
can be turned off by pressing the button again, by
turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when
the rear window defogger is on. See Outside Heated
Mirrors
on page 3‑34for more information.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
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Black plate (25,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Outlet Adjustment
Use the levers, located in the middle of the front
outlets, to change the direction of the airflow. Use the
thumbwheel located between the outlets to turn them on
and off.
If the vehicle has rear seat outlets, adjust the direction
of the airflow using the lever in the center of each outlet.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that could block
the flow of air into the vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors can
adversely affect the performance of the system.
.Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside the vehicle
better.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Outside air is routed through a passenger compartment
air filter before entering the vehicle. This filter removes
certain particles from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. The filter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3for when to replace the filter. The access panel for the passenger compartment air
filter is located under the hood near the windshield, on
the passenger's side of the vehicle.
To access the passenger compartment air filter, do the
following:
1. Press the tabs back and left to remove the cover.
2. Insert a tool behind the push pin located on the inboard side of the air filter compartment to
carefully pry the pin out.
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Black plate (26,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
3. To remove the air filter, insert a tool between theair filter and the compartment wall on the outboard
side of the vehicle. Then, push in to flatten the pin
holding the air filter in place. Gently remove the air
filter and any loose debris that may be inside the
air filter compartment.4. Insert the new air filter by pushing until you hear aclick. Reinstall the push pin and snap the cover
into place.
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Page 183 of 450
Black plate (27,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there might be or there is
a problem with one of the vehicle's functions. Some
warning lights come on briefly when the engine is
started to indicate they are working.Gauges can indicate when there might be or there is
a problem with one of the vehicle's functions. Often
gauges and warning lights work together to indicate a
problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gauges shows there
could be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual's advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
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Black plate (28,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Instrument Panel Cluster
English Super Model Shown, Metric and Base Similar
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