wheel BUICK LESABRE 2000 User Guide

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Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the
steering column.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

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FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
This vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake pedal. To set the
parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down
with your right foot. Push
down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is in RUN or OFF/UNLOCK, the brake
system warning light will turn on while the parking
brake is set. The parking brake uses the brakes on the
rear wheels.

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Express-Down Windows
The driver's and front passenger's windows have an
express
-down feature. Pull the AUTO control back
all the way, release it and the window will lower
automatically. To stop the window from lowering, pull
the AUTO control again. To partially open the window,
pull the AUTO control back slightly. To raise the
window, hold the AUTO control forward.
Window Lock
Press the LOCK button on the driver's armrest to
disable all passenger window controls. (If you have a
Driver Information Center (DIC), you can also set the
control to only lock out the rear window controls. See
ªDriver Information Centerº in the Index.) The driver's
window controls will still be operable. This is a useful
feature when you have children as passengers.
Press the LOCK button again to allow passengers to
reuse their window controls.
Horn
Press on the center area of the steering wheel to
sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steering wheel and pull
the lever toward you.
Move the steering wheel to
a comfortable level, then
release the lever to lock
the wheel in place.

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Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer and
Passing Signal

Windshield Wipers and Washer
Turn and Lane Change Indicator
To signal a turn, move the lever on the left side of the
steering wheel all the way up or down. The lever returns
automatically when the turn is complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head
-Up Display
(HUD), an arrow will also appear in the display area
to indicate the direction of the turn or lane change
(See ªHead
-Up Display (HUD)º in Index for
more information).
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal
a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is complete.
The lever will return by itself when you release it.
If the arrows flash very fast as you signal a turn or a lane
change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won't see your turn signal.

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At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever, there's
a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer
fluid on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers
will clear the window and either stop or return to your
preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
Cruise Control
The controls to operate the cruise control are located on
the steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.

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CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
(See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.)
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the ON/OFF button to turn cruise control on.
(The button is located on the bottom left of the
steering wheel.) An indicator light will come on to
show that the cruise control is on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET/COAST button, the CRUISE light on the
instrument panel cluster will illuminate. (The button is
located on the bottom right of the steering wheel.)
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

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A. Air Outlets
B. Driver Information Center Buttons (If Equipped)
C. Multifunction Lever
D. Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
E. Hazard Warning Flashers
F. Instrument Cluster
G. Traction Control Button (If Equipped)H. Exterior Lamps
I. Head
-Up Display (HUD) Controls (If Equipped)
J. Hood Release
K. Parking Brake
L. Cruise Controls
M. Audio System
N. Climate Controls
O. Glove Box

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When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light and chime stay on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light
isn't on, you still have brakes, but you don't have
anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you
don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a problem with
your regular brakes. See ªBrake System Warning Lightº
earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
This warning light should
come on briefly as you
start the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. If it stays on, or
comes on when you're driving, there may be a problem with
your traction control system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

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The HUD controls are located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel.
1. Start your engine and slide the HUD dimmer control
all the way up.
The brightness of the HUD image is determined by
an internal photo
-cell, and where you have the HUD
dimmer control set.
2. Adjust the seat to your driving position. Slide the
image height adjuster control all the way up, raising
the image as far as possible.3. Now push the image height adjuster control down so
the image is as low as possible but still in full view.
4. Slide the dimmer control downward until the HUD
image is no brighter than necessary.
To turn the HUD display off, slide the dimmer control
all the way down.
If the sun comes out and the sky becomes cloudy, you
may need to adjust the HUD brightness using the
dimmer control. Polarized sunglasses could make the
HUD image harder to see.
To change the display from English to metric units,
push the ENG/MET button located to the left of the
steering column.
Clean the inside of the windshield as necessary to
remove any dirt or film that reduces the sharpness or
clarity of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD lens, spray household glass cleaner
on a soft, clean cloth. Gently wipe and dry the HUD
lens. Do not spray cleaner directly on the lens to avoid
cleaner leaking inside the unit.