Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Competitors:
Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Five Hundred/Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Mercury Grand Marquis.
Vehicle Positioning:
Flagship sedan offering comfort, quiet ride, and traditional American luxury.
Manual Value Proposition:
Provides factory-level diagnostic and repair data for do-it-yourself enthusiasts and professional technicians, saving significant repair costs.
Engine:
3.8L V6 (VIN L), 4.6L V8 Northstar (VIN Y)
Transmission:
4T80-E (for 4.6L V8), 4T65-E (for 3.8L V6)
Brakes:
Front Disc, Rear Disc (ABS, Traction Control, StabiliTrak)
Steering:
Hydraulic Power Steering, Steering Column Components
Suspension:
Front MacPherson Strut, Rear Independent Multi-link
Electrical System:
Wiring Diagrams, Fuses, Relays, Battery, Charging System, Starting System
HVAC:
Air Conditioning, Heating, Ventilation, Climate Control System
Body And Frame:
Body Panels, Doors, Hood, Trunk, Bumpers, Chassis Components
Interior:
Seating, Trim Panels, Dashboard, Headliner, Interior Lighting
Driver Information System:
Instrument Cluster, Gauges, Warning Lights, Driver Information Center (DIC)
Safety Systems:
Airbags, Seatbelt Pretensioners, Body Control Module (BCM) Functions
Maintenance:
Oil Changes, Filter Replacements, Fluid Checks and Top-offs, Belt Inspections
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), Symptom-based Diagnostics, Electrical Circuit Testing
Repair:
Component Replacement (e.g., Brakes, Shocks, Alternator, Starter), Engine Diagnostics and Repair, Transmission Service
Diagnostics:
OBD-II System Diagnostics, ECM/PCM Functionality, Sensor Testing
Calibration And Programming:
TPMS Sensor Initialization, Steering Angle Sensor Calibration
Depth:
Comprehensive; covers everything from routine maintenance to major component overhauls and electrical system diagnostics.
Diagnostic Tools:
Specifies diagnostic scan tool procedures and expected values for various sensors and modules.
Engine Option 1:
3.8L (3800 Series III) V6 OHV (Naturally Aspirated)
Engine Option 2:
4.6L (Northstar) V8 DOHC VVT (Naturally Aspirated)
3.8L V6 Horsepower:
205 hp @ 5200 rpm
3.8L V6 Torque:
230 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
4.6L V8 Horsepower:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
4.6L V8 Torque:
295 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)
Recommended Fuel:
87 Octane Unleaded (3.8L), 87 Octane Unleaded Recommended (4.6L)
ECU:
ECM (Engine Control Module) / PCM (Powertrain Control Module)
NHTSA Front Driver Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Front Passenger Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Driver Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Passenger Impact:
4-Star
ABS:
Standard (4-Wheel Anti-lock Braking System)
Traction Control:
Standard (Traction Control System - TCS)
Stability Control:
Standard (StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control)
Airbags:
Frontal, Side-Impact, Curtain (Optional)
Seatbelts:
3-Point Front and Rear Seatbelts, Pretensioners
Infotainment System:
Available Touchscreen Navigation System, Bose Premium Audio System.
Driver Assistance Features:
StabiliTrak (Stability Control), Traction Control, ABS, Available Rear Parking Assist.
Connectivity Options:
OnStar system integration.
Oil Change Interval:
7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (under normal driving conditions). Monitor oil life system.
Engine Air Filter:
Inspect every 7,500 miles, replace as needed (typically every 30,000 miles).
Cabin Air Filter:
Replace every 15,000 miles or 12 months.
Spark Plugs 3.8L:
Replace every 100,000 miles (Long Life Platinum or Iridium)
Spark Plugs 4.6L:
Replace every 100,000 miles (Iridium)
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend or Full Synthetic (GM Approved)
Engine Oil Capacity 3.8L:
4.5 US quarts (4.3 L) with filter change
Engine Oil Capacity 4.6L:
5.0 US quarts (4.7 L) with filter change
Coolant Type:
GM Super Coolant (Orange) or equivalent Dex-Cool compliant (50/50 mix with distilled water)
3.8L Common Issues:
Lower intake manifold gaskets (LIM), power steering pump leaks, water pump leaks, spark plug blow-out (on earlier models, less common on Series III).
4.6L Common Issues:
Oil leaks (valve cover gaskets, rear main seal), intake manifold gaskets (often a design flaw on earlier Northstars), intermittent transmission issues.
Suspension Issues:
Worn strut mounts, sway bar links, and control arm bushings are common due to vehicle weight.
HVAC Issues:
Blend door actuator failures, refrigerant leaks.
Buick Legacy:
Buick is one of America's oldest automotive brands, known for its comfortable and quiet ride, targeting a mature demographic.
Lucerne Introduction:
The Buick Lucerne debuted for the 2006 model year, replacing the Park Avenue and LeSabre. It aimed to blend traditional Buick comfort with a more modern chassis and available V8 power.
2008 Updates:
For 2008, minor styling tweaks and feature packaging updates were common, though no major mechanical redesign occurred.
Manufacturing Location:
Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, Michigan, USA
Production Years:
2006-2011
