
Black plate (72,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
The rubber in tires ages over time, even if they are not
being used. This is also true for the spare tire, if your
vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fast this
aging takes place, including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure maintenance. Tires
will typically need to be replaced due to wear before
they may need to be replaced due to age. Consult the
tire manufacturer for more information on when tires
should be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally mounted on a parked
vehicle. Park a vehicle that will be stored for at least
a month in a cool, dry, clean area away from direct
sunlight to slow aging. This area should be free of
grease, gasoline or other substances that can
deteriorate rubber.
Parking for an extended period can cause flat spots
on the tires that may result in vibrations while driving.
When storing a vehicle for at least a month, remove the
tires or raise the vehicle to reduce the weight from the
tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specific tires for
your vehicle. The original equipment tires installed
on your vehicle, when it was new, were designed
to meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec) system rating. If you
need replacement tires, GM strongly recommends
that you get tires with the same TPC Spec rating.
This way, your vehicle will continue to have tires
that are designed to give the same performance
and vehicle safety, during normal use, as the
original tires.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system considers over
a dozen critical specifications that impact the
overall performance of your vehicle, including
brake system performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec number is molded
onto the tire's sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all‐season tread design, the TPC
Spec number will be followed by an MS for
mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling
on
page 6‑58
for additional information.
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Black plate (74,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
Using bias-ply tires on the vehicle may
cause the wheel rim flanges to develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly and cause
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle's tires with those
that do not have a TPC Spec number, make sure
they are the same size, load range, speed rating,
and construction type (radial and bias‐belted tires)
as your vehicle's original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring
system could give an inaccurate low‐pressure
warning if non‐TPC Spec rated tires are installed
on your vehicle. Non‐TPC Spec rated tires may
give a low‐pressure warning that is higher or lower
than the proper warning level you would get with
TPC Spec rated tires. See Tire Pressure Monitor
System
on page 6‑65. Your vehicle's original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information Label. See
Loading the Vehicle
on page 5‑18, for more
information about the Tire and Loading
Information Label and its location on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability, and
resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as, antilock brakes, traction
control, and electronic stability control, the performance
of these systems can be affected.
{WARNING:
If different sized wheels are used, there may not
be an acceptable level of performance and safety
if tires not recommended for those wheels are
selected. This increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM specific wheel
and tire systems developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a GM certified
technician.
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Black plate (77,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors
for your vehicle.
{WARNING:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts,
or wheel nuts can be dangerous. It could affect
the braking and handling of the vehicle. Tires can
lose air, and cause loss of control, causing a
crash. Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
See Changing a Flat Tire
on page 6‑88for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING:
Replacing a wheel with a used one is dangerous.
How it has been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could fail suddenly and
cause a crash. When replacing wheels, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
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Black plate (78,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Tire Chains
{WARNING:
If your vehicle has P235/55R17, or P245/50R18
size tires, do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts. The
area damaged by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the front tires.Notice:
If your vehicle has P225/60R16 size tires,
use tire chains only where legal and only when you
must. Use only SAE Class S‐type chains that are the
proper size for your tires. Install them on the front
tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear
the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and
retighten them. If the contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your vehicle's tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a drag that pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop, well off the road, if possible.
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Black plate (79,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road, if possible.
{WARNING:
Driving on a flat tire will cause permanent damage
to the tire. Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely underinflated or flat may
cause a blowout and a serious crash. Never
attempt to re-inflate a tire that has been driven on
while severely underinflated or flat. Have your
dealer or an authorized tire service center repair
or replace the flat tire as soon as possible.
{WARNING:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it is designed
only for changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack.
If a jack is provided with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a flat tire.
This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a
tire sealant and compressor kit. To use the jack and
spare tire, see Changing a Flat Tire
on page 6‑88.
To use the tire sealant and compressor kit, see Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
on page 6‑80.
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Black plate (88,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
{WARNING:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or
other people. You and they could be badly injured
or even killed. Find a level place to change your
tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not move,
you should put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire, on the other side, at the
opposite end of the vehicle. When the vehicle has a flat tire (B), use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to use the jack
and change a tire.
6-88

Black plate (95,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
Wheel nuts that are improperly or incorrectly
tightened can cause the wheels to become
loose or come off. The wheel nuts should be
tightened with a torque wrench to the proper
torque specification after replacing. Follow the
torque specification supplied by the aftermarket
manufacturer when using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and Specifications
on
page 6‑116
for original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See Capacities and
Specifications
on page 6‑116for the wheel nut
torque specification.
13. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a crisscross
sequence as shown.
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Black plate (110,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Fuses Usage
9Engine Control Module (ECM),
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
10 Climate Control System, Instrument
Panel Cluster Ignition 1
11 Airbag System
12 Horn
13 Windshield Wiper
14 Fog Lamps
15 Right High-Beam Headlamp
16 Left High-Beam Headlamp
17 Left Low-Beam Headlamp
18 Right Low-Beam Headlamp
19 Windshield Washer Pump Motor
20 Left Front Cornering Lamp
21 Right Front Cornering Lamp
22 Air Pump (J-Case)
23 Antilock Brake System (ABS)
(J-Case)
24 Starter (J-Case)
25 Antilock Brake System (ABS) Motor
(J-Case)
Fuses Usage
26 Cooling Fan 2 (J-Case)
27 Cooling Fan 1 (J-Case)
Relays Usage
29 Powertrain
30 Starter
31 Cooling Fan 2
32 Cooling Fan 3
33 Cooling Fan 1
34 Air Conditioning Clutch
35 Air Injection Reactor (AIR) Solenoid
36 Ignition
37 Air Pump
Rear Underseat Fuse Block
The rear fuse block is located under the rear seat on
the driver side. The rear seat cushion must be removed
to access the rear fuse block.
6-110