mirror BUICK LESABRE 2002 User Guide
Page 149 of 398
2-86
When the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message is
on, you should continue to steer in the direction you
want to go. The system is designed to help you in bad
weather or other difficult driving situations by making
the most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message comes on,
you'll know that something has caused your vehicle to
start to spin, so you should consider slowing down.
DIC Personal Choice Programming
The DIC can be used to program the following personal
choice features available with your vehicle:
Automatic Door Locks
Window Lockout
Security Feedback
Delayed Locking
Perimeter Lighting
Memory Seats (If Equipped)
Tilt Mirrors (If Equipped)
Driver ID ON/OFF
Language SelectionFor vehicles not equipped with a DIC, see ªPersonal
Choice Programmingº in the Index.
The personal choice settings displayed on the DIC are
determined by the transmitter used to enter the vehicle.
Each remote keyless entry transmitter was
pre
-programmed to belong to DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2
and is numbered on the back. After the button with the
unlock symbol on a remote keyless entry transmitter is
pressed and the ignition is in RUN, the DIC will display
the identified driver and recall the settings previously
programmed for that driver. The settings can also be
recalled by briefly pressing one of the MEMORY
buttons located on the driver's door.
If you unlock the vehicle using your door key instead of
your transmitter, the DIC will not change drivers and
will recall the information from the last transmitter used
or the last driver using the memory seat controls. If this
happens and you were not the last driver of the vehicle,
simply press your correct driver number on the memory
seat controls or press the button with the unlock symbol
on your remote keyless entry transmitter.
Page 153 of 398
2-90
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL
(high
-beams at reduced intensity), parking lamps and
back
-up lamps will turn on if it is dark enough
according to the Twilight Sentinel.
You can control activation of this feature by choosing
OFF or ON when the PERIMETER LIGHTS choice is
displayed on the DIC. Make your choice by pressing the
ENG/MET button and record your choice by pressing
the RESET button. You will then be prompted to choose
a TIMEOUT period. See ªExterior Lightsº following for
more information.
For more information on this feature, see ªPerimeter
Lightingº in the Index.
Exterior Lights
The EXTERIOR LIGHTS/TIMEOUT feature can be
changed to a desired setting by using the ENG/MET to
toggle from 5 to 30 seconds. Each toggle will increase
the time by five seconds. Once the desired timeout is
displayed, press RESET to record your choice and move
on to the next personal choice feature.Memory Seat Recall (If Equipped)
This feature recalls the position of your seat. When this
feature is active, the memory seat and mirror positions
will be recalled for the identified driver when the remote
keyless entry transmitter is used to enter the vehicle.
You can program this feature to be active by choosing
ON when the SEAT RECALL choice appears, or
inactive by choosing OFF when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears on the DIC. Make your choices by
pressing the ENG/MET button and store them to
memory by pressing the RESET button.
You can also program this feature to recall your memory
seat position or the exit seat position.
MEMORY: Choose ON when the SEAT RECALL
choice appears, and then choose MEMORY when the
RECALL POSITION choice appears.
Page 154 of 398
2-91
EXIT: Choose ON when the SEAT RECALL choice
appears, and then choose EXIT when the RECALL
POSITION choice appears. The seat will move when
you enter the vehicle after unlocking it with a remote
keyless entry transmitter. This will allow for easy entry.
For more information on this feature, see ªMemory
Seatsº in the Index.
Parallel Park Assist (If Equipped)
The parallel park assist mirror, which tips the passenger
mirror down while the vehicle is in REVERSE (R), can
be made active or inactive through the DIC. When TILT
MIRRORS
-- OFF/ON appears on the display, use the
ENG/MET button to toggle the arrow between OFF and
ON. When you have made your choice, press the
RESET button to record your selection. For more
information on this feature, see ªParallel Park Assist
Mirrorº in the Index.Driver ID
This feature displays the DRIVER ID, as identified by
the DIC. If this feature is ON, the DRIVER ID will
be displayed every time the ignition is turned on. If the
DRIVER ID is OFF, the DRIVER ID can be displayed
by pressing either a button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter or a memory seat button.
Language Selection
After DRIVER ID has been selected, ªLanguage
Englishº will be displayed. Pressing the RESET
button selects English as the DIC language and ends
programming. Pressing the ENG/MET button will bring
up the display ªLangue Fran†ais.º Pressing the RESET
button selects French as the DIC language. Pressing the
ENG/MET button will bring up the display ªIdioma
Espanol.º Pressing the RESET button selects Spanish
as the DIC language. Pressing the ENG/MET button
will return you to the ªLanguage Englishº display
and allows you to start the process of language
selection again.
Page 165 of 398
3-8
To program a personal choice climate control setting,
do the following:
1. Choose a temperature setting for the driver and if
desired, for the passenger. See ªDual Automatic
ComforTemp
Climate Controlº and ªPassenger
Climate Controlº earlier in this section.
2. Adjust the fan speed and the direction of the airflow.
3. Locate the memory buttons on the driver's
door panel.
4. Press a memory button (1 or 2) until you hear two
beeps. The beeps confirm that your selection has
been saved and can now be recalled.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings. For more information on the memory
feature, see ªMemory Seat and Mirrorsº in the Index.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
If you have the electronic touch system, for quick
cool
-down on very hot days, use maximum air
conditioning with the temperature and fan speed
adjusted to COOL and HIGH. If this setting is used
for long periods of time, the air in your vehicle may
become too cold and dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use Normal and
adjust the temperature and fan speed for your comfort.
If Recirculation is selected while in the Normal air
conditioning mode, the system works like maximum
air conditioning and recirculates the air.
Page 215 of 398
4-14
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one
thing, following too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially if you're following a larger
vehicle. Also, you won't have adequate space if the
vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and
don't get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
Page 216 of 398
4-15
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what happens
when the three control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid,
too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If you have the traction control system, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid.
If you do not have traction control, or if the system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
If you have Stabilitrak
, you may see the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the Driver Information
Center. See ªStability System Active Messageº in
the Index.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Page 217 of 398
4-16
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don't drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can't see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
Page 223 of 398
4-22
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too
-fast or
too
-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in your
ªblindº spot.
Page 225 of 398
4-24
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let
it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
Page 238 of 398
4-37
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don't seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle. See ªCarbon Monoxideº in the Index.
Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read and
follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you'll be
able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Because you have anti
-lock brakes, do not try to tap into
your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won't work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required for your trailer
lighting system can be accessed at the driver's side rear
lamp connector. This connector is located under the
carpet on the rear corner of the trunk compartment.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.