Buicks give you a lot of features for what they cost. That's one reason, among many, why I like them


https://ownersmanuals2.com/buick/enc...s-manual-78158

Information Center (DIC) (Base Level)

The DIC displays information about your vehicle. It also displays warning messages if a system problem is detected. See Vehicle Messages 0 113. All messages appear in the DIC display in the center of the instrument cluster.

Air Filter Life : Shows an estimate of the engine air filter’s remaining useful life and the state of the system. Engine Air Filter Life 95% means 95% of the current air filter life remains. Messages will display based on the engine air filter life and the state of the system. When the REPLACE AT NEXT OIL CHANGE message displays, the engine air filter should be replaced at the time of the next oil change. When the REPLACE SOON message displays, the engine air filter should be replaced at the earliest convenience.

Brake Pad Life : This displays an estimate of the remaining life of the front and rear brake pads. Messages will display based on brake pad wear and the state of the system. Reset the Brake Pad Life display after replacing the brake pads. See Brake Pad Life System 0 268.

Oil Life : Shows an estimate of the oil's remaining useful life. If REMAINING OIL LIFE 99% is displayed, that means 99% of the current oil life remains.

 

I think the image you posted gives at least some clue LOL.

 

Way more than you or I would find acceptable, the ones I have seen that have triggered the system are almost bricks.

Our cars also both have brake measurement systems and "empty" trigger wires if you really run the brakes down. The EPB does the measurement on the rears and the front is calculated

 

Not only that, but "Screechers" on brake-systems have been around for many years. They are small tabs that are built into the caliper-assemblies. As the pads wear down, the spinning rotors slowly get closer and closer to the exposed tabs. When the pads are at minimum safe-thickness, the rotors lightly contact the tabs and make a high-pitched screeching noise....that is a warning, and it means either get to the brake-shop ASAP or risk scoring the expensive rotors with metal-to-metal contact and having to replace them. (You may have to also replace the rotors anyway if they themselves are worn down past a certain thickness, which is listed in the Service Manual for the vehicle)

 

It's almost like they try to make cars that need sensors to tell people what to do for basic stuff.

I'm old fashioned.
"A man should be able to take care of his home and carriage". lol

The screechers work good but I didn't put them on when doing my last DIY brake job.

I can see my pad thinkness with my xray vision.

 

a few more twigs and leaves probably.

 

LOL

If we could do likes in this forum, you'd get one for that comment.

 

I bet one more twig would have done it lol

 

In a normal situation I agree not a big deal but when you are traveling on a long road otrip on a Sunday and just want to get home it really sucks. In this scenario it’s not just the hour wait, the hole was pretty big and roadside assistance at that time was just a tow to the nearest tire place and we would’ve had to get a hotel room, buy a random tire because I’m sure the tire place wouldn’t have a winter Vredestein tire and the wife and I would have to take off work and kids would’ve missed school.

Sure first world problems at its finest but very annoying nonetheless.

 

Me neither knock on wood.

I know how to change a tire, but I am not getting out in danger and most likely hot or cold weather and fooling with reading instructions (I have no idea how to get spare down from LX570), grabbing the tools, etc. I’ll call and just sit on my phone and wait. AAA is like lightning these days, they’re fast.

I definitely hear ya about being in wrong place at wrong time it’s the worst. I’d still call and wait though lol. All my cars do have proper spares haha, interesting to note!

 

I get it, but run flats wouldn’t have helped you in that situation, nor would a temp spare have let you continue on your trip and the fact is a lot of cars today just don’t have spares. It’s such an unlikely situation I choose not to worry about it…

 

That's GM in general, at least on decently equipped vehicles. Always liked how they are so comprehensive with stuff like that. That's a strength Japan doesn't get with their vehicles, unless the new ones are radically changed. It's pretty cool to have a running hours display, like a boat.

 

Its a tradeoff, do you want gimmicky features, or do you want quality. Now we get both...

Its like when we first got the LS400, it had dramatically less gizmos than my dad's Cadillac STS he had before. No "oil life" monitor, a rudimentary trip computer with range but that was new for 98, no system checks with beeping and all...but the car was dramatically higher quality.

Like, take that money for a air filter sensor, and improve an interior material...

 

I get that runflats wouldn’t have helped but the temp spare did and I was able to get home.

 

Had you been on your way TO your trip though you would have been in trouble.

So glad to have found this independent MB mechanic. Dealer is $1,100 for the B service, these guys are $570 AND they do have loaners...