BUICK LESABRE 1993 Owners Manual

A CAUTION:
;
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
or
types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle
may not handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Be sure to use the same size and type
tires
on all four wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance
of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B,
and C. They represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based
on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance

which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Those grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger
car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional
equipment on General Motors vehicles may vary with respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and have been approved
for use on General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at
the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance. In most cases, you will not need
to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need
to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air
out, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, which
can sometimes be repaired). See your Buick dealer if
any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer
will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as
the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your Buick model.
260

‘A CAUTION:
0
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts,
or whwl nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose air
and make you lose control.
You could have a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correctwheel, wheel bolts, and
wheel
nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
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The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometerlodometer calibration, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire
or tire chai
Used Rep1 Vheels - - -
’A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven.
It could fail
suddenly and cause an accident. If you have to
replace a wheel use anew
GM original
equipment wheel.
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Tire Chains
NOTICE
Use tire chains
SAE Class “S”
size for your
and tighten them as tightly as possible with
ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and fol
the chain ma
hear the chai
retighten them.
If the contact continues, .elow
down until it stops. Driving ton fast with 4
on will damage your vehicle.
261

Appearance Care
A CAUTION:
Cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are
toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part
of the vehicle.
Some are dangerous
if you breathe their fumes
in a closed space. When you use anything in a
container
to clean your Buick, be sure to follow
the instructions.
And always open your doors or
windows when you're cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner 0.y
Turpentine I L'
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover I
They can all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle,
00.
m
Cleaning the Inside of Your Buick
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl with
a clean, damp cloth.
Your Buick dealer has two
GM cleaners -- a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well.
Here are
some cleaning tips:
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are
stubborn.
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0 Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds
only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with
a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Then dry
it immediately with an air hose, a hair
dryer
or a heat lamp.
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Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need
to use it, then:
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Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start
at the outside of
the stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to a clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area with an air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to
help prevent a cleaning ring. (See the previous
NOTICE.)
263

Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains: Like grease, oil, butter,
margarine, shoe polish, coffee with cream, chewing
gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar
and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Then follow the solvent-type instructions above.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on a vehicle seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner
will dissolve them and may cause them to bleed.
Non-Greasy Stains: Like catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and
blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
above.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat
the area with a waterbaking soda solution:
1
teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of
lukewarm water.
0 Finally, if needed, clean lightly with solvent-type
cleaner.
Combination Stains: Like candy, ice cream,
mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
cool water
and allow to dry.
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl or Leather
Just use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if may have to do it more than once.
you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
solvent-type vinylbeather cleaner.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument
Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
264

Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
’ A CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may
severely weaken them. In a crash they might
not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean
safety
belts only with mitd soap and lukewarm
water.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t
use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped
off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used
on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
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Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM Part No.
105001 1). The windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it
with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked in
full strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Buick
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold
water.
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Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use liquid
hand, dish or car washing (non-detergent) soaps. Don’t
use cleaning agents that contain acid or abrasives. All
cleaning agents should
be flushed promptly and not
allowed to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the
finish with a soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton towel
to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Buick may
be necessary
to remove residue from the paint finish. You
can get
GM approved cleaning products from your dealer.
(See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your Buick has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat.
finish or leave swirl marks,
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Your aluminum wheels have a protective coating similar
to the painted surface of your car. Don’t use strong
soaps, chemicals, chrome polish, or other abrasive
cleaners on them because
you could damage this
coating. After rinsing thoroughly, a wax may be applied.
If you have aluminum wheels, don’
automatic vehicle wash that has hard silico
carbide cleaning brushes. TheFm brushes can
White Sidewall Tires
Your Buick dealer has a GM White Sidewall Tire
Cleaner. You can use a stiff brush with
it.
Weatherstrips
These are places where glass or metal meets rubber.
Silicone grease there will make them last longer, seal
better, and not squeak. Apply silicone grease with a
clean cloth at least every six months.

Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Foreign Material
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter can
damage your vehicle’s finish if
they remain on painted
surfaces. Use cleaners that are marked
safe for painted
surfaces for
these stains.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop
into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and Scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody.
If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect.
Dirt packed in closed areas of
the frame should be
loosened before being flushed. Your
dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system can do this
for
you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces
on your vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped discolorations,
and small irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at
no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first.

Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials
You can get these from your Buick dealer.
PART
NUMBER USAGE
DESCRIPTION
SIZE
12345343
Stops squeaks Silicone Grease
1 oz. (0.028kg)
1052863 Weather strips
Spray-A-Squeak
12
02. (0.354L)
1052277 Exterior cleaner and polish Magic Mirror Creme
Wax
16
02. (0.473L)
1050 172
Cleans white and black tires White Sidewall Tire Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473L) 1050 I74 Removes rust and corrosion
Chrome Cleaner and Polish
16 oz. (0.473L)
1050173 Also removes old waxes, polishes
Tar and Road Oil Remover
16
oz. (0.473L)
1050214 32
02. (0.946L) Vinylbeather
Cleaner Spot and stain removal
1050244 16
02. (0.473L) Fabric Cleaner Spot and stain removal
1050427 23
02. (0.680L) Glass Cleaner Also spot cleans vinyls
1050429 6
Ib. (2.72kg) Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner Cleans vinyl and cloth, also, tires and mats
1052349 12
02. (0.340kg) Lubriplate (White Grease) For hood, trunk, door hinges and latches
1051055 16
oz. (0.473L) Preservatone Vinyl Top Dressing
1051398*
8 oz. (0.237L) Spot Lifter For cloth
1051515 32
02. (0.946L) Washer Solvent Windshield-washing system
1052870 16
02. (0.473L) Wash-Wax (conc.) Exterior Wash
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* Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See Your General Motors Dealers
for These Products. I
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I See Your Maintenance Schedule for Other Products. I