BUICK LESABRE 1993 Manual PDF

Ignition Key Positions
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Your square-headed key operates your ignition lock. This
lock gives you five different positions. Before
you
put the key in, your ignition will be in the “Lock”
position. This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft deterrent feature.
The other positions let you perform these functions:
ACC: Accessory lets you use things like the radio and
the windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To get into
“Acc”, push in the key and turn it toward
you. Your
steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before
you inserted the key.
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OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still
turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
“Lock.” Use “Off’ if you must have your car
in motion while the engine is off.
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START: This position starts your engine.
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NOTICE:
IT your Key seems stuck In “Lock” and you can-
turn
it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn
the key hard. But turn the key only with your
hand. Using
a tool to force it could break the key
or the ignition switch. If none
your vehicle needs service
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to “P’ (Park) or “N” (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use “N” (Neutral) only.
n’t try to shift to “P” (Park) if your Buick is
ving.
If you do, Id damage the
nsaxle. Shift to
“ rk) only when you .. . . -
1.
2.
3.
Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your
engine. In some other vehicles
you might need to do
this, but because
of your vehicle’s computer systems,
you don’t.
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.
If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in “Start”
for about three seconds at a time until your engine
starts. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery.
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~

4. 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 car starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal
down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine. After
waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Driving Through Deep Standing
Water
NOTICE:
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Engine Block Heater (Canada Only)
In very cold weather, 0 OF (- 18 C) or colder, the engine
block heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
To use the block heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
CAUTION: 0
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps. After you’ve
used the block heater, be sure to
store the
cord as it was before, to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you m’t, it could
be damaged
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How long should you keep the block heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the weather,
the kind of oil you
have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list
everything here,
we ask that you contact a Buick dealer
in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The
dealer can give you the best advice for that particular
area.

PARK RNO321
Automatic Transaxle
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There are several different positions for your shift lever.
P (Park)
This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to
use when you start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
A CAUTION: .
a -II
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle If the
shift [ever is not fully in “P” (Park) with the
parking
brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when ihe engine is
running unless you hsve to. If you have left the
engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be Injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, when you’re on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to V“ (Park).
See “Shifting Into “P” (Park)” in the Index. If you
arb parkfng on a hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer,
also see“Parking on Hills” or “Towing a Trailer”
in’ the Index.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in “F‘” (Park) range before
starting the engine. Your Buick has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before
you can shift from “P” (Park) when the
ignition key is
in the “Run” position. If you cannot shift
out of “P” (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push
the shift lever all
the way into “P” (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
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into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Out of ‘P’ (Park)”
in this part.
R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your vehicle iz
ng forward could damage your transaxle
only after your vehicle is stopped
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or
sand without damaging your transaxle, see “If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow” in the Index.
N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the
wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving, use
“N” (Neutral) only. Also, use “N” when your vehicle
is being towed.
~ A CAUTION:
Shifting out of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) while .
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot-is firmly on the
brake pedal, your.vehicle
could move very ~
rapidJy. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of “P” (Park) or “N”
(Neutral) while your engine is racing. Q
Damage to yo-.- transaxle caused by shifting aut I
of “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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@ Automatic Overdrive
This position is for normal driving.
If you need more
power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
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- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
0 D or 3 (Third Gear)
This is like
@, but you never go into Overdrive.
Here are some times you might choose
“D or 3”
instead of @:
- When driving on hilly, winding roads
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
- When going down a steep hill
0 2 (Second Gear)
This position gives you more power but lower fuel
economy.
You can use “2” on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in “2” (S
or you can damage your trans
“D or 3” as much as possible.
e 1 (First Gear)
This position gives you even more power (but lower
fuel economy) than
“2.” You can use it on very steep
hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is
put in “1,” the transaxle won’t shift into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
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NOTICE:
If your front wh
drive. This might happen
if you were stuck i
very deep sand or mud or were up agains
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't ho
your vehicle there with
only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into
"P'' Park
to hold your vehicle
in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot.
Push down the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.
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1
To release the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull the brake
release lever.
If you try to drive more than
50 feet with the parking
brake
on, the brake light stays on and a chime sounds
until you release the parking brake or recycle the
ignition.
NOTICE
Driving with t
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rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them,
and you could also damage other parts
If you are on a hill: See “Parking on Hills” in the Index.
That section shows how to turn your front wheels.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill:
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what
to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
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Shifting Into cc P 99 (Park)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully In ‘6P’’ (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle
can roll.
If you have left the*engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that
follow. If you are parking on a hill, or if
you’re pulling
a trailer, also see “Parking On
Hills” or “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into “P” (Park) position like
set the parking brake.
this:
Pull the lever toward you.