Market Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan.
Key Competitors 2008:
Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300.
Vehicle Philosophy:
Comfort-oriented, spacious, quiet ride, American luxury.
Manual Value Proposition:
Provides essential information for owners to understand and maintain their vehicle, offering a cost-effective solution for missing or damaged manuals.
Coverage Areas:
Vehicle operation, safety, maintenance, controls, emergency procedures, service, appearance, technical and consumer information, index.
Specific Systems Covered:
Instruments and controls, pre-driving checks, heater, air conditioner, audio systems, starting and driving, emergency procedures, service and appearance, maintenance, technical and consumer information.
Specific Procedures Included:
Safety seat installation, seat belt usage, airbag operation, basic checks and adjustments, climate control operation, driving techniques, emergency response, routine maintenance, care and cleaning, basic do-it-yourself tasks.
Manual Type:
Owner's Manual
Format:
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Digital Quality:
High resolution, readable text, printable.
Searchability:
Searchable text within the PDF.
Illustrations:
Includes an illustrated table of contents and likely other illustrations within sections.
Engine Type:
3.8L V6 (L36)
Displacement:
3.8 Liters / 231 Cubic Inches
Horsepower:
197 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
227 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel System:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Bore X Stroke:
3.80 x 3.40 inches
Engine Type:
3.8L Supercharged V6 (L67) - Optional on specific trims
Displacement:
3.8 Liters / 231 Cubic Inches
Horsepower:
205 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
230 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Fuel System:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) with Supercharger
Supercharger Type:
Roots-type
Engine Type:
4.6L V8 (Northstar LH2)
Displacement:
4.6 Liters / 281 Cubic Inches
Horsepower:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
295 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Fuel System:
Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Valve Train:
Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 32 Valves
NHTSA Front Crash Test Rating:
5-Star (Driver and Passenger)
NHTSA Side Impact Crash Test Rating:
5-Star (Front and Rear Passengers)
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
Yes (for 2008 models in frontal offset tests).
Airbags:
Dual-stage frontal airbags for driver and front passenger, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof rail airbags (optional/standard depending on trim).
Seat Belts:
Three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front pretensioners, load limiters.
Child Safety:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, child security rear door locks.
Braking System:
Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS).
Traction Control:
Full-range traction control (TC) on all models.
Electronic Stability:
StabiliTrak® electronic stability control system (standard on higher trims, optional on others).
Lighting:
Halogen headlights, available fog lamps, automatic headlamp control.
Audio Systems:
Available Bose® premium audio system, CD player, MP3 playback, steering wheel audio controls.
Navigation:
Optional factory-installed navigation system.
Parking Assist:
Available rear parking assist sensors.
Remote Start:
Available remote vehicle start system.
Onstar:
Available OnStar® safety and security services (subscription required).
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, using synthetic oil. Refer to manual for specific oil type and viscosity based on climate and driving conditions.
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 7,500 miles.
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect every 15,000 miles, replace as needed. Typically every 30,000 miles.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect annually, replace as needed. Typically every 15,000-30,000 miles.
Spark Plug Replacement V6:
3.8L V6: Typically iridium spark plugs, 100,000 miles.
Spark Plug Replacement V8:
4.6L V8 (Northstar): Typically iridium spark plugs, 100,000 miles.
Engine Oil V6:
API Certified SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil. Capacity: 4.5 quarts (4.3 L) with filter.
Engine Oil V8:
API Certified SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil. Capacity: 4.5 quarts (4.3 L) with filter.
Coolant:
GM Dex-Cool® extended life coolant (50/50 mixture with distilled water). Capacity: Approx. 14.5 quarts (13.7 L) for V6, 15.5 quarts (14.7 L) for V8.
Transmission Fluid:
GM DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Capacity: Approx. 4.5 quarts (4.3 L) for dry fill (V6), 7.6 quarts (7.2 L) for dry fill (V8).
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4. Check reservoir for specific recommendation.
Power Steering Fluid:
GM Power Steering Fluid or DEXRON®-VI ATF. Consult manual for exact specification.
Common Problems:
Front suspension clunks/rattles (strut mounts, ball joints), power steering leaks, intermittent electrical issues (window regulators, door locks), transmission shudder (especially early models), catalytic converter failure (V8), oil leaks (Northstar V8).
Manual Assistance For Issues:
The owner's manual provides guidance on diagnosing some minor issues, understanding warning lights, and performing basic maintenance that can prevent or mitigate common problems.
Buick Legacy:
Buick, a marque of General Motors, has a long history of producing comfortable and refined American vehicles, often positioned as a bridge between mainstream Chevrolet and premium Cadillac.
Lucerne Introduction:
The Buick Lucerne was introduced for the 2006 model year, replacing the LeSabre and Park Avenue. It was built on GM's G-body platform.
Lucerne 2008 Updates:
The 2008 model year saw minor revisions, including updated exterior styling, revised interior features, and the discontinuation of the supercharged 3.8L V6 in favor of the more potent 4.6L Northstar V8 as the top engine option in some trims. The 'Enclave' mentioned in the product description appears to be a typographical error or confusion with Buick's unrelated crossover SUV.
Manufacturing Location:
Detroit, Michigan, USA (GM Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Plant).
Production Years:
2006-2011
Safety Awards:
Consistently received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS for its crashworthiness.
Consumer Ratings General:
Generally praised for ride comfort, quietness, and spacious interior, though criticized by some for less engaging handling and dated styling compared to some imports.
