Black plate (11,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
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 engine is running.
.The exterior lamp button for the headlamps is off.
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. See Exterior Lamps
on page 4‑10for more
information.
The regular headlamp system should be turned on
when needed.
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Black plate (14,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery's temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage
is raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gauge or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest
levels of corrective action, this action may be noticeable
to the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
LOW BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. See DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4‑49.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle's
battery against drainage from the interior lamps,
or garage door opener. When the ignition is turned
off, the power to these features will automatically turn
off after 10 minutes. Power will be restored for an
additional 10 minutes if any door is opened, the trunk
is opened or the courtesy lamp switch is turned on.
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Black plate (18,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
-(Floor/Defog):This clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the windshield and side
window outlets and to the floor outlets. The system runs
the air conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is near or below freezing.
0(Defrost): This mode clears the windshield of fog
or frost more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield
and side window outlets. The system runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature
is near or below freezing.
#(Air Conditioning): Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. An indicator light
below the button comes on to show that this mode
is on. Air conditioning can be selected in any mode
as long as the fan knob is not in the off position.
On hot days during the vehicle's initial start-up, open
the windows to let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps to reduce the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently. For quicker cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select
H.
2. Select
h.
3. Select
#.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
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.
h(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.
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Black plate (19,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window 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
traveling at slow speeds. At higher vehicle speeds, the
rear 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. If the vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors 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 anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal, or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
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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 (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 (29,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been
driven, in either miles or kilometers.
This vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer.
If the vehicle needs a new odometer installed, the new
one can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer.
If this is not possible, it is set to zero and a label must
be put on the driver's door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
A trip odometer show how far the vehicle has been
driven since the odometer was last set to zero. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑42for
information on resetting the trip odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime sounds for several
seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety belt,
unless the driver safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light
comes on and stays on
for several seconds, then
flashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
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