2011 BUICK LUCERNE fuel cap

Black plate (2,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Buick Lucerne Owner ManualM
Service and Appearance Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-49
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-57
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-98
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-106
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-107
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-116 Maintenance Schedule
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Customer Assistance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Customer Assistance and Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (23,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a
tire sealant and compressor kit. The kit can be used to
seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire.
SeeTire Sealant and Compressor Kit
on page 6‑80for
complete operating information.
If the vehicle came with a jack and spare tire, see
Changing a Flat Tire on page 6‑88.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates engine oil life
based on vehicle use and displays a DIC message
when it is necessary to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset to 100% only
following an oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC for more than five seconds. The oil life will change
to 100%.
See Engine Oil Life System on page 6‑22.
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). See Fuel E85
(85% Ethanol)
on page 6‑7. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline described under
Gasoline Octane on page 6‑6.
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some
driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed limits or drive more
slowly when conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same TPC
Spec number molded into the tire's sidewall near
the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.
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Black plate (38,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light can
prevent more serious damage to the vehicle. This
system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Modifications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement of the original
tires with other than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle's
emission controls and can cause this light to come
on. Modifications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 6‑3.
This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing: A misfire condition has been detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required. To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle off, wait at least 10 seconds, and
restart the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer for service as soon
as possible.
Light On Steady: An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
The following may correct an emission system
malfunction:
.Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling
the Tankon page 6‑9. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
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Black plate (42,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Here are some things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with the fuel gauge:
.At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gauge reads full.
.It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the gauge may have
indicated half full, but it took more (or less) than
half the tank's capacity to fill it.
.The gauge moves up a little while turning a corner,
speeding up or making a hard stop.
.The gauge does not go back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the speedometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel, to
the left of the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system
problem is detected. The bottom line of the DIC
shows the shift lever position indicator. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation
on page 3‑24for more
information.
If your vehicle's DIC has these features, the compass
direction and the outside air temperature may also
display on the DIC when viewing the trip and fuel
information. The compass direction appears on the
top right corner of the DIC display. The outside air
temperature automatically appears in the bottom right
corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with
the system that controls the temperature display, the
numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
See DIC Vehicle Customization
on page 4‑58for more
information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
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Black plate (21,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Example 3
Item DescriptionTotal
A Maximum Vehicle
Capacity Weight for
Example 3 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 200 lbs
(91 kg) × 5 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight =
0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information label for specific information about
your vehicle's maximum vehicle capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of
the driver, passengers, and cargo should never
exceed your vehicle's maximum vehicle capacity
weight.
Certification Label
A vehicle specific Certification label is found on
the rear edge of the driver door.
The label shows the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
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Black plate (25,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
5. Remove the key from the ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well—or
even at all. The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Notice: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with
the vehicle. The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the information
in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this
section. Trailering is different than just driving the
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
The following information has many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for the safety of the driver and
the passengers. So please read this section carefully
before pulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, axles, wheel assemblies and tires are
forced to work harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater loads, generating
extra heat. The trailer also adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
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Black plate (5,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service work performed. See
Maintenance Record on page 7‑12.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect
the airflow around it. This can cause wind noise and
can affect fuel economy and windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to
ensure gasoline meets enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list of marketers
providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found
at www.toptiergas.com.
The eighth digit of the Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies
the vehicle's engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 6‑106.
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). See Fuel E85
(85% Ethanol)
on page 6‑7. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline described under
Gasoline Octane on page 6‑6.
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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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