maintenance schedule BUICK LESABRE 1993 Owners Manual

How to Use this Manual ................................................................
This part tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings & symbols.
SeatsandSafetyBelts ..................................................................
This part tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.
Featuresandcontrols ..................................................................
This part explains how to start and operate your Buick.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .....................................................
This part tells you how to adjust the ventilation & comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.
YourDrivingandtheRoad ..............................................................
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad ..................................................................
This part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
ServiceandAppearanceCare ............................................................
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Buick running properly and looking good.
Maintenanceschedule ..................................................................
This part tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................
This part tells you how to contact Buick for assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives
you information on “Reporting Safety Defects.”
Index ........................................................................\
........
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want
to read.
(@ Table of Contents
9
10
13
57
117
145
195
229
277
297
305

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you
ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P7’
(Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to
“P” (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered
in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you
start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
194

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the
engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the
air cleaner off.
I
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily gel
into your engine, which wiil damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner
in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in
the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at a Buick dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here,
or you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
241

3.
4.
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the
dipstick. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONa-IIE, because fluids with that label are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONs-IIE
is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34OF (-37OC) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128 “C) .
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM
Specification 1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
243

Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an ACS thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
:i
How To Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
When the engine compartment is cool, the level
What to Add:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
should be
at the
“HOT” mark.
should be at the
“FULL COLD” mark.
When adding power steering fli or making a
complete fluid change, always use the proper
fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.

Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and
rotated at the mileages recommended in the
.
Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance
Services’’ in the Index.
Use this rotation pattern. After
the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressure as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.
I
A CAUTION:
Rust or dlrt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastetfed, can make wheel nuts become
loose after a time. The wheel could come off and
cause
an accident. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if
you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing a FI; Tire’* On the Index.)

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
I
I
* Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See Your General Motors Dealers
for These Products. I
I
I See Your Maintenance Schedule for Other Products. I

This part covers the maintenance required for your Buick . Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety.
dependability and emission control performance
.
Part 7 includes:
Introduction
...................................................................... 278
A Word About Maintenance
..................................................... 278
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................................................. 279
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
............................................. 280
Using Your Maintenance Schedules
............................................... 280
Selecting the Right Schedule
.................................................... 281
Schedule1
................................................................... 282
Schedule11
.................................................................. 284
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services ..................................... 286
Section
B: Owner Checks and Services ................................................. 288
AtEachFuelFill
.............................................................. 288
AtLeastOnceaMonth
......................................................... 289
AtLeastOnceaYear
.......................................................... 289
Section
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections ............................................ 292
Section
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ......................................... 293
Section
E: Maintenance Record ....................................................... 295
How
This Part is Organized
..................................................... 279
277

I IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER
LEVELANDCHANGEAS RECOMMENDED
1
Protection I
Plan I
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See
your Buick dealer for details.
Introduction
A Word About Maintenance
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly
how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances
only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive it to work, to do errands or in many other
ways.
Because of all the different ways people
use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you will
find in the schedules in this part.
So please read this part
and note how
you drive. If you have any questions on
how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your
Buick dealer, the place many GM owners choose to
have their maintenance work done. Your dealer can be
relied upon to
use proper parts and practices.
278

* Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance or the
removal of important components can significantly
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or even the wrong tire inflation can increase the
level of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect
our environment, and to help keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
How This Part is Organized
The remainder of this part is divided into five sections:
“Section
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what
to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment,
you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these
jobs.
A CAUTION:
1. *
._ 1. c
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how and the proper tools and equipment for the
job. If you
have any doubt, have a qualified technician do
the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information
GM publishes. You will find a list of
publications and how to get them in this manual. See
“Service Publications’’ in the Index.
“Section
B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you what
should
be checked whenever you stop for fuel. It also
explains what you can easily do to help keep your
vehicle in good condition.
“Section
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspe.ctions that your Buick dealer’s service
department or another qualified service center should
perform.
279
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