Segment:
Full-size luxury sedan
Positioning:
Positioned as a comfortable and quiet cruiser, replacing the Oldsmobile Aurora and Buick Park Avenue.
Competitors:
Ford Five Hundred/Taurus, Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon, Lincoln Town Car
Comfort And Quietness:
Emphasis on a smooth ride, quiet cabin, and comfortable interior.
Available Engines:
Offered with V6 and V8 engine options for adequate power.
Front Wheel Drive:
Primarily front-wheel drive, with some models offering all-wheel drive.
Manual Utility:
Provides technicians and DIYers with the precise information needed for accurate repairs.
Primary Coverage:
All Models and All Repairs A-Z
Specific Systems:
Engine, Transmission, Brakes, Suspension, Steering, Electrical, HVAC, Body, Safety Systems, Emissions, Diagnostic Procedures
Estimated Pages:
Varies by specific sub-model and year, typically 1500-2500+ pages for comprehensive factory manuals
Type:
Factory Service and Repair Manual
Engine Mechanical:
Detailed information on engine disassembly, assembly, component inspection, and torque specifications.
Engine Control System:
Engine control module (ECM) diagnostics, sensor data, fuel injection, ignition timing, and emissions control strategies.
Fuel System:
Fuel pump pressure, injector service, fuel filter replacement, evaporative emission control (EVAP) system diagnosis.
Cooling System:
Radiator, water pump, thermostat, coolant types, bleed procedures, and fan control diagnostics.
Lubrication System:
Oil pump, oil filter, oil pressure specifications, and oil change intervals.
Ignition Starting Charging:
Spark plugs, ignition coils, starter motor, alternator output, battery testing, and charging system diagnosis.
Automatic Transmission:
Transmission fluid type and capacity (e.g., DEXRON-VI), shift solenoid diagnosis, torque converter service, internal component repair.
Manual Transmission:
Details for applicable models (though less common in Lucerne, coverage is provided if applicable).
Suspension:
Struts, shocks, ball joints, control arms, bushings, and alignment specifications.
Steering:
Power steering pump, rack and pinion, tie rod ends, steering column assembly, and fluid specifications.
Brake Control:
ABS system diagnosis, hydraulic control unit (HCU) service, wheel speed sensor testing.
Brake System:
Brake pad and rotor replacement, caliper service, brake fluid type (DOT 3 or DOT 4), bleeding procedures.
Air Conditioning:
Refrigerant types (R-134a), compressor service, condenser, evaporator, and HVAC control module diagnosis.
Supplemental Restraint System:
Airbag module replacement, seat belt pretensioners, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for SRS system.
Electrical:
Complete wiring diagrams, component locations, fuse and relay information, lighting systems.
Multiplex Communication:
CAN bus network diagnostics, body control module (BCM) communication, infotainment system integration.
Maintenance:
Oil changes, fluid checks and replacements, filter changes, tire rotations, brake inspections.
Diagnostics:
Systematic troubleshooting guides, DTC interpretation, component testing procedures.
Repair:
Step-by-step instructions for component replacement and repair, including internal engine and transmission work.
Component Replacement:
Detailed instructions for replacing major components like engines, transmissions, suspension parts, and body panels.
Wiring Schematics:
Comprehensive electrical wiring diagrams for all vehicle systems, including power distribution and signal paths.
Illustrations Diagrams:
High-quality diagrams and illustrations to visually guide repair and maintenance procedures.
Depth:
Factory-level detail covering everything from basic maintenance to complex diagnostic and repair procedures.
NHTSA Frontal Crash Driver:
Good (for applicable years/models)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Passenger:
Good (for applicable years/models)
NHTSA Side Crash Driver:
Good (for applicable years/models)
NHTSA Side Crash Rear Passenger:
Good (for applicable years/models)
IIHS Moderate Overlap Frontal:
Good (for applicable years/models)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (for applicable years/models)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
Stability Control:
Available StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, available front and rear side curtain airbags
Seatbelts:
Three-point safety belts with pretensioners and load limiters
Oil Change Interval:
7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (synthetic oil recommended)
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles or as needed based on driving conditions.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000-30,000 miles or annually.
Spark Plug Replacement:
30,000 miles for standard plugs, up to 100,000 miles for platinum or iridium plugs (refer to specific engine type).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Every 45,000-60,000 miles (DEXRON-VI)
Coolant Replacement:
Initial fill at 5 years or 150,000 miles, then every 2-5 years or 30,000-100,000 miles depending on coolant type (typically Dex-Cool orange coolant for GM).
Engine Oil Spec:
SAE 5W-30 (API Certified Synthetic)
Engine Oil Capacity:
Varies by engine: 4.5 quarts (3.8L V6), 5.0 quarts (3.9L V6), 4.5 quarts (4.6L V8, without filter change)
Coolant Spec:
GM P/N 12346290 (Dex-Cool Orange, long-life) or equivalent.
Brake Fluid Spec:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Power Steering Fluid Spec:
GM Power Steering Fluid P/N 12345496 or equivalent.
Engine Mounts:
Premature wear or failure of engine mounts, leading to vibrations.
Intake Manifold Gaskets:
Leaking intake manifold gaskets on the 3.8L V6 engine, causing coolant leaks and potential misfires.
Power Steering Leaks:
Leaks from power steering hoses or the pump.
Window Regulators:
Failure of power window regulators.
Door Lock Actuators:
Failure of door lock actuators, preventing doors from locking or unlocking.
Buick Positioning:
Buick historically represented American comfort and quietness, often targeting a more mature demographic.
Lucerne Introduction:
Introduced for the 2005 model year as a replacement for the Buick LeSabre and Park Avenue, based on the GM G-body platform (shared with Cadillac DTS).
Updates:
Received minor styling updates and powertrain revisions throughout its production run, including the introduction of the 3.9L V6 and later a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Production Location:
Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, Michigan, USA
Production Years:
2005-2011 (sold as 2012 model year in some markets)
