coolant temperature BUICK LESABRE 2004 Owner's Manual

Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather,
0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater
can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant
heater should be plugged in a minimum of four
hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not
required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, above the headlamp
assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-24

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-20
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-22
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Climate Control System.................................3-24
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-26
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.....................3-31
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-31
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-32
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-36
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-36
Battery Warning Light....................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-37
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-38
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Security Light...............................................3-44
Cruise Control Light......................................3-44
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-49
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-50
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature. If the pointer
moves into the shaded
area, the engine is too hot.
A temperature indicator light will turn on and a chime
will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, and the temperature indicator
light comes on, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty. Standard version
shown, uplevel similar
3-40

FUEL INFO (Information):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 (Information):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. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-26.
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.
3-47

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you don’t
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-24

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overow tube on the radiator
ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine as well
as an engine coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
5-26

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

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

Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cornering Lamps............................................3-15
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-18
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-25, 3-29
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-18
Delayed Locking.....................................2-11, 3-53
Dinghy Towing................................................4-32
Diversity Antenna System.................................3-81
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-33
Door
Central Door Unlocking System.....................2-10
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door Ajar Reminder.....................................2-11
Locks.......................................................... 2-9
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driver ID.......................................................3-54
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-45
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-46
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-50
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
4

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