trailer BUICK LESABRE 2004 Owner's Guide

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Short Trip/City Denition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs rst).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km):Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions).
Every 150 000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
6-5

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
rst). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions.)
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-17
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-21.
6-6

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
66,000 Miles (110 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
6-10

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst.)An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxle uid, change both
the uid and lter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-12

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
6-15

82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxle uid, change both
the uid and lter
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-16

Driving (cont.)
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-25
Driving On Grades..........................................4-45
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-26
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-43
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-26
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-92
Removing the Rear Seat Cushion..................5-95
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-15
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-42
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Cooling System Inspection............................6-22
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12Engine (cont.)
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-23
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-92
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-17
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-46
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-17
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-41
Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
Exterior Lights................................................3-53
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a PTY Station.....................................3-59
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XM™).............3-66
Finding a Station....................................3-56, 3-64
Finish Care....................................................5-87
Finish Damage...............................................5-89
Flash-To-Pass.................................................. 3-9
5

Hitches..........................................................4-42
HomeLink®Transmitter....................................2-38
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-39
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-65
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-36
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-40
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-28
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-20Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.......................3-19
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-65
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-22
Engine Cooling System................................6-22
Exhaust System..........................................6-21
Fuel System...............................................6-22
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-21
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-21
Throttle System...........................................6-22
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-33
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-18
Key Reminder Warning....................................2-23
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
7

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-17
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections.......6-21
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-23
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-24
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-21
Throttle System Inspection............................6-22
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-46
Making Turns.................................................4-44
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Operation...........................................3-27
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-8
Memory Mirrors..............................................2-44
Memory Seat.................................................2-44
Memory Seats................................................3-54Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirror Operation.....................................2-33, 2-34
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass....2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Memory.....................................................2-44
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror......2-36
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-36
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror....................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-35
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-100
O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
9

Tire Ination Check.........................................6-17
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-58
Tire Size.......................................................5-62
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-62
Tires.............................................................5-58
Buying New Tires........................................5-69
Chains.......................................................5-72
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-74
Check Tire Pressure System.........................5-66
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-83
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-73
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-65
Inspection and Rotation................................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-71
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-71
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-68
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-24
Top Strap......................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-38
Torque Lock...................................................2-30
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-42
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-39Trailer Brakes.................................................4-43
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-43
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-25
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Trunk............................................................2-14
Trunk Lock Release........................................2-14
Trunk Security Override...................................2-15
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer.............................3-73
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44
Twilight Sentinel
®............................................3-16
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-20
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-79
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-70
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-72
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-85
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-41
Using RDS....................................................3-58
14