engine BUICK LESABRE 1999 Owner's Guide

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The oil light could come on briefly when you turn your
key to RUN. It goes off once you turn it to START.
That's just a check to be sure the light works. If it
doesn't, be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to
warn you if something goes wrong.
But, when this light comes on and stays on, it means oil
isn't going through your engine properly. You could be
low on oil, or you might have some other oil problem.
See your dealer for service.
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Check Oil Level Light (If Equipped)
The CHECK OIL LEVEL
light turns on for three
seconds as a bulb check
each time the ignition key is
turned to RUN. If the light
doesn't turn on, have your
vehicle serviced.
If the engine oil is more than one quart (0.95 L) low and
the engine has been shut off for at least eight minutes,
the CHECK OIL LEVEL light will turn on for about
one minute and will then remain off until the next time
you start the vehicle.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light turns on, the engine oil
should be checked at the dipstick then brought up to the
proper level if necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

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2-69 Change Oil Soon Light (If Equipped)
This light is activated
by the Engine Oil Life
Monitor System.
The CHANGE OIL SOON light turns on for three
seconds as a bulb check each time the ignition key is
turned to RUN. It will stay on for 60 seconds once
90 percent of the oil life has been used and each time the
engine is started after that. If the CHANGE OIL SOON
light is on continuously, there is a problem with the
Engine Oil Life Monitor System and service is required.
The Engine Oil Life Monitor determines the condition
of the engine oil and lets you know when the oil should
be changed. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
The Engine Oil Life Monitor receives information about
engine speed, coolant temperature and vehicle speed to
determine how much the oil has degraded.
When to change your oil depends on your driving habits
and conditions. The CHANGE OIL SOON light may
turn on as early as 2,000 miles (3 218 km) or less for
harsh circumstances.For additional information, see ªEngine Oil, When to
Changeº in the Index. To reset the Oil Life Monitor, see
ªEngine Oil Life Monitorº in the Index.
Cruise Light
The cruise light comes on
whenever you set your
cruise control. See ªCruise
Controlº in the Index.
Washer Fluid Low Light (If Equipped)
When the vehicle has a low
fluid condition, this light
will come on to remind
you to get more washer
fluid soon.

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2-70 Trunk Ajar Light (If Equipped)
This light comes on if your
vehicle's trunk is not
completely closed.
Fuel Gage
Standard Cluster Gage Cluster
Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your
tank. It works only when the engine is on. When the
indicator nears EMPTY (E), you still have a little fuel
left. You need to get more fuel right away.Here are some things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:

At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads FULL (F).

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.

The gage moves a little when you turn a corner,
speed up, or make a hard stop.

The gage doesn't go back to EMPTY (E) when you
turn off the ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has the gage
cluster, a light near the fuel
gage will turn on when you
are low on fuel. You should
get more fuel as soon as
you can.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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Automatic Operation
Press the AUTO button when you want the system to
automatically adjust to changes in the temperature inside
the vehicle, the outside temperature and the sun load on
the vehicle. When the system is set for automatic
operation, air will come from the floor, middle or
windshield outlets depending on the temperature inside
the vehicle, the outside temperature and sun load. Fan
speed will vary as the system gets to and maintains the
comfort setting you have selected through the use of the
TEMP button.
To find your comfort setting, start with the system in
AUTO mode and the TEMP button adjusted to 75
F
(24
C), give the vehicle about 20 minutes to stabilize,
and adjust your comfort setting if necessary, by using
the TEMP button. The display will show the comfort
setting for a few seconds and then it will display the
outside temperature. If you want to see your current
automatic fan speed, airflow direction and comfort
setting, press the AUTO button.
In cold weather, the system will delay turning on the
fan, to avoid blowing cold air. The length of the delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature and the
outside temperature. Pushing the FAN, AIR FLOW or
FRONT buttons will override this delay, turn off the
AUTO setting and change the fan speed.Manual Operation
You may also manually adjust the air delivery or
fan speed.
AIR FLOW: This button is used to change the direction
of the airflow. The airflow choices available are FLOOR,
FLOOR
-MID, MID and WINDSHIELD-FLOOR. If the
system is set for AUTO, pressing the AIR FLOW button
will display the current airflow direction and the comfort
setting. Press the AIR FLOW up or down button again to
change the direction of the airflow.
If the AIR FLOW up button is selected while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the air
toward the windshield and the floor. If the AIR FLOW
down button is selected while in the FRONT defrost
mode, the system will direct the air toward the floor, and
the FRONT defrost mode will cancel. Notice the arrows
in the display.
OFF: If the passenger comfort control is turned on, it can be
turned off by pressing the OFF button once. Pressing the OFF
button a second time will turn off the main system. Turning
off the main system causes the fan to turn off and the airflow
to be directed toward the floor. The system will still try to
keep the interior of the vehicle at the previous chosen
comfort setting. The outside temperature will show on the
display when the system is OFF.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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On sunny days, when the air is moderately warm or
cool, use BI
-LEV to deliver warm air to the floor and
cooler air to the middle instrument panel outlets. On
days like these, the sun may adequately warm your
upper body, but your lower body may not be warm
enough. To warm or cool the air delivered, adjust the
TEMPERATURE lever.
The amount of fresh air entering the vehicle is limited
when RECIRC is selected. This is helpful when you are
trying to cool the air in your vehicle or limit the air
entering the vehicle.
If your vehicle has the Dual Automatic Comfortemp
system and it is set for AUTO, on very hot days, the
system will automatically enter the RECIRC mode and
the temperature door will be positioned at the full cold
position for maximum cooling. If the system is not in
the AUTO mode, RECIRC should be selected to provide
maximum cooling. You can choose the extreme comfort
setting of 60
F (16
C), but the system will not cool any
faster by choosing the extreme comfort setting.
When the air conditioner is on, you may sometimes
notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine speed and
power. This is normal because the system is designed to
cycle the compressor on and off to keep the
desired temperature.Heating
If your vehicle has the electronic touch system, on
cold days, use HTR with the TEMPERATURE lever
toward WARM.
If your vehicle has the Dual Automatic Comfortemp
system, and on cold days, if the AUTO mode is selected,
the system will automatically direct the air toward the
floor and the temperature door will be positioned at the
full hot position. You can choose the extreme comfort
setting of 90
F (32
C) but the system will not warm up
any faster by selecting the extreme comfort setting. If
the outside temperature is cold, the fan will be delayed
to avoid blowing cold air. Pushing the FAN, AIR FLOW
or FRONT buttons will override this delay, turn off the
AUTO mode and change the fan speed.
With each system, outside air will be brought in and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work better, reducing the chance of
fogging your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

When the engine idles for a long time, the exterior
temperature sensor may cause the system to blow air
that is too cool. Once the vehicle is moving again,
the system will try to maintain the set temperature
inside your vehicle.

When you start your vehicle and the EXT display
flashes (Dual Automatic Comfortemp system only)
for some time, the system may need repair. See
your dealer.Steering Wheel Controls for Climate
Control (If Equipped)
G±43±2200±V
If your vehicle has this
feature, you can control the
temperature function by
using the button on your
steering wheel. Press the
TEMP up arrow to increase
the temperature and the
TEMP down arrow to
decrease the temperature.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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Audio Systems
Your Delco Electronics audio system has been designed
to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure.
You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint
yourself with it first. Find out what your Delco
Electronics system can do and how to operate all its
controls, to be sure you're getting the most out of the
advanced engineering that went into it.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HRS until the correct hour appears. Press
and hold MIN until the correct minute appears.
You may set the clock with the ignition off if you press
RECALL first and follow the same procedure
described above.
AM-FM Stereo
DE±43±0020±V
Playing the Radio
VOLUME: This knob turns the system on and off and
controls the volume. To increase volume and turn the
radio on, turn the knob clockwise. Turn it
counterclockwise to decrease volume.
RECALL: Press the upper knob briefly to recall the station
being played or to display the clock. To change what is
normally shown on the display (station or time), press the
knob until you see the display you want, then hold the knob
until the display flashes. If you press the knob when the
ignition is off, the clock will show for a few seconds.

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To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's engine, Delco Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren't, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have used your tape player for 50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer. If this message appears on
the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as
soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a
known good cassette to see if it is the tape or the tape
player at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
The recommended cleaning method for your cassette
tape player is the use of a scrubbing action,
non
-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette is available through
your dealership (GM Part No. 12344789).

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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti
-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there's a problem with the
anti
-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on.
See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in
the Index.

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Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Traction Control System (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine power
to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. (See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.)
This light should come on
briefly when you start the
engine. If it stays on or
comes on while you are
driving, there's a problem
with your traction
control system.
See ªTraction Control System Warning Lightº in the
Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to. (You
should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud, ice or snow. See ªRocking Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)