
Black plate (7,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean and avoid problems
due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors. It is available at your dealer.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available
in your area. We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the specifications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not
be used in vehicles that were not designed for those
fuels.Notice:
This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce spark plug life and affect emission control
system performance. The malfunction indicator lamp
might turn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer for
service.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel
cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). For all other
vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described
under Gasoline Octane on page 6‑6.
We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that are
designed to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable”
fuel, meaning it is made from renewable sources such
as corn and other crops.
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Black plate (8,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U.S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations/) that
can help you find E85 fuel. Those stations that do have
E85 should have a label indicating ethanol content.
Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content is greater
than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specification
D 5798. By definition, this means that fuel labeled E85
will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.
Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet
ASTM specifications can affect driveability and could
cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according
to ASTM specification D 5798. If you have trouble
starting on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not
properly formulated for your climate. If this happens,
switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel
tank can improve starting. For good starting and heater
efficiency below 0°C (32°F), the fuel mix in the fuel tank
should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best
not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85.If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add
as much fuel as possible
—do not add less than 11 L
(3 gal) when refueling. You should drive the vehicle
immediately after refueling for at least 11 km (7 mi) to
allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol
concentration.
E85 has less energy per liter (gallon) than gasoline, so
you will need to refill the fuel tank more often when
using E85 than when you are using gasoline. See
Filling the Tank on page 6‑9.
Notice: Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle's fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by
additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
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Black plate (35,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
5. Install the coolant recovery tank cap and thepressure cap. After a day or two of driving, when
the engine is cold, check the coolant level in the
recovery tank. If it is low, refill it to the COLD
FILL line.
If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly low, you
should have a dealer service department inspect the
vehicle for leaks.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
You will find a warning light about a hot engine as
well as an engine coolant temperature gauge on the
instrument panel cluster. You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 8‑7.
If you do decide to lift the hood , make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:
Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire while driving
with no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
on page 6‑37for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
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Black plate (41,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new
pads are needed. The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.Notice:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel
nuts in the proper sequence to torque specifications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 6‑116.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be
required.
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Black plate (8,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
LightsAirbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Exterior Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Front Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Highbeam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-31
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
StabiliTrak
®Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Loading Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Locks Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 Locks (cont.)
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . 2-42
Lumbar Power Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
M
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
Maintenance ScheduleMaintenance Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Owner Checks and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Memory Seat and Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Message DIC Warnings and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-49
Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Manual Rearview Mirror with Compass andTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Outside Convex Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
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Black plate (12,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle . . . 6-5
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-107
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 2-68
Setting the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-68
Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-105
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Side Blind Zone Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-97
Installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-90
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-89
Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-116
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21 Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-94
Steering Wheel, Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Storage Areas Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Center Flex Storage Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Front Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . 6-87
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Taillamps Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Sidemarker
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-52
Telescopic Steering Column, Power Tilt Wheel . . . . . .4-4
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5
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Black plate (14,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-75
Universal Home Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
V
VehicleControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-106
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-58
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Vehicle Identification Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-107
Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Ventilation Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
W
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-49
Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Safety and Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-76
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-74
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-76
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-71
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-41
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Windshield Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
Wiper Blades, Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-103
Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Wiper Activated Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
X
XM Radio Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-84
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-98
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