battery BUICK LESABRE 2001 User Guide

2-24
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's
a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your
key in START for about 10 seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key
in START for about three seconds. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops again, do the same
thing. This time keep the pedal down for five or
six seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the
engine. After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat
the normal starting procedure.

2-49
This procedure only changes the mode for the
transmitter used to change this setting. The procedure
will need to be repeated for the second transmitter.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you must program this feature through
the DIC. See ªDriver Information Centerº in the Index.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle's electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at
a higher rpm setting than normal to make sure the
battery charges. High electrical loads may occur when
several of the following are on: headlamps, high beams,
rear window defogger, high blower fan, heated seats
(if equipped) and engine cooling fans.
If your vehicle's battery remains in a heavy discharge
condition for a long period of time, the blower fan,
rear defogger, heated seats and heated mirrors will be
disabled and the DIC will display BATTERY SAVER
ACTIVE. This can happen either under long periods of
idling or low speed driving with high electrical loading,
or in the event of a charging system fault.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the manual lamp control has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off approximately 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned to LOCK and any door has been
opened. This protects draining the battery in case you
have accidentally left the headlamps or parking lamps
on. If you need to leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, use the manual control to turn the lamps
back on after the ignition is turned to LOCK and any
door is opened. To delay the lamps from turning off,
see ªTwilight Sentinel

º in the index.

2-50 Front Reading Lamps
Front seat reading lamps are turned on or off by pressing
one of the lamp's buttons.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle's battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp, cigarette lighters or garage door opener.
When the ignition is turned off, the power to these
features will automatically turn off after 10 minutes.
Power will be restored for an additional 10 minutes if
any door is opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy
lamp switch is turned on. To restore power back to
the cigarette lighters the ignition must be turned back
to RUN.
Mirrors
Day/Night Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. The day
-night adjustment allows you to adjust
the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.

2-57
Sun Visors
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
When you open the cover to either the passenger's
or driver's visor vanity mirror, the lamps will turn on.
The brightness of the lamp can be adjusted by sliding
the switch up or down.
Dual Sun Visors
Each sun visor has two parts, so that both the windshield
and door glass can be shaded at the same time. To use
the dual sun visors, flip the first visor down and turn it
toward the window. Then, flip the second visor down
toward the windshield.
Auxiliary Power Outlets
Your vehicle may have one or three power outlets
depending on the type of front seat you have. If your
vehicle has front bucket seats with a center console,
you will find one outlet inside the storage compartment
and the other on the lower front edge of the console.
(An extra power outlet can be found in the ashtray.)
The power outlets can be used to plug in electrical
equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio.
Follow the proper installation instructions that are
included with the equipment you install.Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible
to the auxiliary power outlet and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem
see your dealer for additional information on the power
accessory plugs.
The auxiliary power outlets will only operate when the
ignition key is in RUN and for 10 minutes after turning
the ignition off. If you would like the outlets to operate
regardless of ignition position, and for unlimited periods
of time, see ªEngine Compartment Bussed Electrical
Centerº in the Index or see your dealer.
NOTICE:
When using an auxiliary outlet:

The maximum load of any electrical
equipment should not exceed 15 amps.

Be sure to turn off any electrical
equipment when not in use. Leaving
electrical equipment on for extended
periods of time can drain your battery.

2-59
The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system
malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar button to
attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection is made,
the advisor will assist you with steps to take to make
sure that the system is functioning properly. If you
cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your
dealership as soon as possible for assistance.
Safety and Security Services

Automatic Notification of Air Bag
Deployment
-- If an air bag deploys, a priority
emergency signal is automatically sent to the center.
An advisor will locate your vehicle's position, try to
contact you and assist you in the situation. If the
center is unable to contact you, an emergency service
provider will be contacted.

Stolen Vehicle Tracking
-- Call the center at
1
-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to report your
vehicle stolen. The system can then locate and track
your vehicle and the advisor will be able to notify
the proper authorities.

Roadside Assistance with Location
-- For vehicle
breakdowns, press the OnStar button. An advisor
will contact the appropriate help.
Remote Diagnostics
-- If an instrument panel
light comes on, the center can perform a check of
the engine on
-board computer. An advisor can then
recommend what action needs to be taken.

OnStar MED
-NET -- Med-Net can store your
personal medical history and provide it to emergency
personnel if necessary. (Requires activation and
additional fee.)

Accident Assist
-- An advisor can provide
step
-by-step guidance following an accident.

Remote Door Unlock
-- To contact the center,
call 1
-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to
provide your security information. An advisor will
send a command to your vehicle to unlock itself.
The advisor can delay unlocking your vehicle.
Remote Door Unlock is disabled 48 hours after
the vehicle is parked to maintain the battery charge.

Vehicle Locator Service
-- To contact the center,
call 1
-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to
provide your security information. An advisor will
send a command to your vehicle to sound the horn
and/or flash the lamps.
In order to provide you with excellent service, calls with
the OnStar Center may be monitored or recorded.

2-60 Premium Services
(Includes Safety and Security Services)

Route Support -- An advisor can provide directions
or guidance to anywhere you want to go. In addition,
they can help you locate gas stations, rest areas,
ATMs, hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more.

Concierge Services
-- The concierge advisor can
obtain tickets, reservations, or help with vacation/trip
planning and other unique items and services.

Ride Assist
-- An advisor can locate transportation
in the event that you are unable to drive.
OnStar System Limitations
Complete limitations can be found on the Subscriber
Services Agreement.
OnStar Service is:

Available in the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska,
Hawaii and Canada;

available when the vehicle is within the operating
range of a cellular provider;
subject to limitations caused by atmospheric
conditions, such as severe weather or topographical
conditions, such as mountainous terrain;

subject to cellular carrier equipment limitations.
Global positioning capabilities used to deliver
OnStar Service will not be available if satellite
signals are obstructed.
OnStar will not function if the vehicle's battery is
discharged or disconnected. It may also be inoperative
if the vehicle is in an accident and the OnStar or vehicle
electrical system components are damaged.
Safety and security services are provided by existing
governmental emergency service providers. OnStar
will use reasonable efforts to contact the appropriate
emergency service provider and request assistance but
cannot promise that they will respond to the call in a
timely manner or at all.

2-73 Battery System Warning Light
When you turn the key
to RUN, this light will
turn on briefly to show
that the generator and
battery charging systems
are working.
If the light stays on, a chime will sound indicating that
the vehicle needs service. You should take your vehicle
to the dealer as soon as possible. To save the battery
until you get there, turn off all accessories and set the
climate control system to OFF.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on when you turn the key to
RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.

2-79
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on
-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still
does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has the
standard instrument panel
cluster, this light will come
on if there is a problem
with your vehicle's engine
oil pressure.
If your vehicle has the optional gage cluster, you
can read your oil pressure directly from the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See ªDIC Displays and
Controlsº in the Index.
The oil pressure light will come on briefly when you
turn your key to RUN. That's just a check to be sure
the light works. This is normal and doesn't show a
problem. If it doesn't come on and then go off,
be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to warn
you if there is a problem.

2-83

FUEL INFO: Press this button to display
fuel information.
Press the FUEL INFO button until the display
shows FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE. Average fuel
economy is viewed as a long term approximation of
your overall driving conditions. To learn the average
fuel economy from a new starting point, press the
RESET button while the average fuel economy is
displayed in the DIC.
Press the FUEL INFO button until the display
shows FUEL ECONOMY INST. Instantaneous fuel
economy varies with your driving conditions, such
as acceleration, braking and the grade of the road
being traveled. The RESET button does not function
in this mode.
Press the FUEL INFO button until the display shows
FUEL RANGE. The fuel range will calculate the
remaining distance you can drive without refueling.
This calculation is based on the average fuel
economy for the last 25 miles (40.25 km) driven,
and the fuel remaining in the fuel tank. The RESET
button does not function in this mode.
GAGE INFO: Use this button to display oil
pressure, oil life, coolant temperature, tire pressure
and battery information.
Press the GAGE INFO button until OIL PRESSURE
appears in the display. If there are no problems
detected with the oil pressure, the display will show
OIL PRESSURE NORMAL. If a low oil pressure
condition is detected, the display will show OIL
PRESSURE LOW. If you see the OIL PRESSURE
LOW message, your vehicle could be low on oil
or the oil is not going through the engine properly.
See your dealer for service.
Press the GAGE INFO button until COOLANT
TEMP appears in the display. If there are no
problems detected with the temperature, COOLANT
TEMP NORMAL will appear in the display. If the
temperature is too high, COOLANT TEMP HOT
will appear in the display. If you see the COOLANT
TEMP HOT message, the engine is overheated.
You should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off your engine as soon as possible.
This manual explains what to do. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index.

2-84
Press the GAGE INFO button until the display
shows BATTERY STATE. If the voltage is normal
the display will show BATTERY STATE NORMAL.
If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, the display will
show BATTERY STATE LOW. If the voltage is
above 16.2 volts, the display will show BATTERY
STATE HIGH. If the display shows the high or low
message, you need to have your battery and charging
system checked.
Press the GAGE INFO button until OIL LIFE
INDEX appears in the display. The OIL LIFE
INDEX NORMAL display will show an estimate
of the oil's remaining useful life. When the oil life
index is less than 10%, the display will show OIL
LIFE INDEX CHANGE OIL. When you have the
oil changed according to the maintenance schedule
(see ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index), you
will have to reset the oil life monitor. To reset the
Oil Life System (Index), see ªOil Life Systemº
or ªEngine Oil, When to Changeº in the Index.Press the GAGE INFO button until TIRE PRESSURE
appears in the display. TIRE PRESSURE NORMAL
is displayed when the Check Tire Pressure System
believes your vehicle's tire pressures are normal. If a
potential tire pressure problem is detected, the display
will show CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. If you see the
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message, you should stop
as soon as you can and check all your tires for damage.
(If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.)
Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as
you can. See ªInflation
-- Tire Pressureº and ªCheck
Tire Pressure Systemº in the Index. There are times
when you will have to reset (calibrate) the Check Tire
Pressure System. See ªCheck Tire Pressure Systemº
in the Index.

RESET: This button, used along with other buttons,
will reset system functions.

ENG/MET: Use this button to change the display
between English and metric units.