Black plate (1,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Buick Lucerne Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Seats and Restraint System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-55
Restraint System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-70
Features and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14 Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Object Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Universal Home Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . 4-27
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-67
Driving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Black plate (12,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Interior Mirror
The vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearview
mirror. Automatic dimming reduces the glare of lights
from behind the vehicle. The dimming feature comes on
and the indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle
is started.
Press the
Obutton, located on the mirror, to turn the
dimming feature and compass on or off.
See Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror on page 3‑31.
Steering Wheel Adjustment
The lever is located on
the left side of the
steering column. To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Hold the wheel and pull the lever toward you.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column
For vehicles with a power
tilt control, it is located on
the left hand side of the
steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel, push the control up, down,
forward or backward.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
See Tilt Wheel
on page 4‑3orPower Tilt Wheel
and Telescopic Steering Columnon page 4‑4(If Equipped).
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Black plate (5,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Driver Side Buttons ShownIf available, the buttons
are on the front doors.
J(Heated Seat Cushion and Seatback):
Press to
heat the seat and seatback.
I(Heated Seatback): Press to heat the seatback.
Press the desired button once to turn this feature on at
the highest setting. A light on the button turns on to
show which feature is on. The column of three lights near the buttons shows the
current temperature setting. With each press of the
button, the seat will change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The lights indicate three for
the highest setting and one for the lowest.
Remote Start Heated Front Seats
During a remote start, the front heated seats can be
turned on automatically. They are canceled when the
ignition is turned on. Press the button to use the heated
seats after the vehicle is started.
The heated seat indicator lights on the button do not
turn on during a remote start.
The temperature performance of an unoccupied seat
may be reduced. This is normal.
See
Remote Vehicle Start
on page 3‑7for more
information.
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Black plate (6,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Heated and Ventilated Seats
{WARNING:
If you cannot feel temperature change or pain to
the skin, the seat heater may cause burns even at
low temperatures. See the Warning underHeated
Seats on page 2‑4.
To operate, the ignition must be on.
Driver Side Buttons Shown If available, the buttons
are on the front doors.
J (Heated Seat Cushion and Seatback): Press to
heat the seat cushion and seatback.
I (Heated Seatback): Press to heat the seatback. H
(Ventilated Seat Cushion and Seatback): Press to
cool the seat cushion and seatback.
Press the desired button once to turn this feature on at
the highest setting. A light on the button turns on to
show which feature is on.
The column of three lights near the buttons shows the
current temperature setting. With each press of the
button, the seat will change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The lights indicate three for
the highest setting and one for the lowest.
Remote Start Heated Front Seats
During a remote start, the front heated seats can be
turned on automatically. They are canceled when the
ignition is turned on. Press the button to use the heated
seats after the vehicle is started.
The heated seat indicator lights on the button do not
turn on during a remote start.
The temperature performance of an unoccupied seat
may be reduced. This is normal.
See Remote Vehicle Start
on page 3‑7for more
information.
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Black plate (7,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature.
This feature allows you to start the engine from outside
the vehicle. It may also start the vehicle's heating or
air conditioning systems, rear window defogger, and
heated seats. SeeHeated Seats
on page 2‑4and
Heated and Ventilated Seatson page 2‑6for
additional information. When the remote start system is
active, the climate control system will heat or cool the
inside of the vehicle at the setting the vehicle was set to
when the vehicle was last turned off. The rear window
defogger will be turned on by the climate control system
when it is cold outside. If the vehicle has heated seats,
they may also turn on when it is cold outside. Cooled
seats are not activated during a remote start. Normal
operation of the system will return after the key is
turned to the ON/RUN position.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require
a person using the remote start to have the vehicle in
view when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running. There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
on page 3‑4for additional
information.
/ (Remote Start): This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter's lock button, then immediately press and hold the transmitter's
remote start button until the turn signal lights flash
or if the vehicle's lights are not visible, press
and hold the remote start button for at least
four seconds.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running. The
vehicle's doors will be locked.
3. If it is the first remote start since the vehicle has been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine
is still running, to extend the engine running time
by 10 minutes. Remote start can be extended
one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has
been done.
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Black plate (20,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
This position locks the ignition. It also locks the
transmission and steering column. This is the only
position in which the ignition key can be inserted or
removed.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle is moving.
This will cause a loss of power assist in the brake and
steering systems and disable the airbags.
In an emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete
power assist, requiring increased brake pedal
force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving. After shifting to
N (Neutral), firmly apply the brakes and steer the
vehicle to a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the shift lever must
be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on
page 3‑26. The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to
left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, then the vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):
This position lets the radio and
windshield wipers operate while the engine is off. To
use ACC/ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise.
C (ON/RUN): This position can be used to operate
electrical accessories and to display some of the
warning and indicator lights. The switch stays in this
position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display DRIVER DOOR OPEN when
the driver door is opened if the ignition is in LOCK/OFF,
ACC/ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition. See
DIC Warnings and Messageson page 4‑49for more
information.
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Black plate (21,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off.
.Audio System
.Audio Steering Wheel (if equipped)
.Clock
.Power Windows
.Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to these accessories works up to 10 minutes or
until the driver door is opened.
The instrument panel cluster lights stay on for a few
seconds, then will go out. Once the driver door is
opened, the power shuts off to these accessories. The
vehicle has a feature designed to protect the battery
against drainage. For more information see Inadvertent
Power Battery Saver
on page 4‑14and Electric Power
Management on page 4‑14.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart
the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only. Notice:
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle
is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will slow down
as the engine warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position, and then released
when the engine begins cranking, the engine will
continue cranking for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor
damage. To prevent gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is already running.
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Black plate (42,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
LDW Error Message
SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM:This
message may appear in the DIC to indicate that LDW is
not working properly. If this message remains on after
continued driving, the system needs service. Take your
vehicle to your dealer.
LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE: This
message may appear in the DIC if LDW does not
activate due to a temporary condition.
Universal Home Remote
System
See Radio Frequency Statementon page 8‑18for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry
Canada Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Universal Home Remote System
Operation (With Three Round LED)
This vehicle may have the Universal Home Remote
System. If there are three round Light Emitting Diode
(LED) indicator lights above the Universal Home
Remote buttons, follow the instructions below.
This system provides a way to replace up to
three remote control transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door openers, security
systems, and home automation devices.
Do not use this system with any garage door opener
that does not have the stop and reverse feature. This
includes any garage door opener model manufactured
before April 1, 1982.
Read the instructions completely before attempting to
program the transmitter. Because of the steps involved,
it may be helpful to have another person assist with
programming the transmitter.
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