battery BUICK LESABRE 1999 User Guide

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2-61 Voltage Gage (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped
with the gage cluster, this
gage shows voltage in the
electrical system.
The normal range is 11 to 15 volts. If the gage reading
stays in either red range, or the battery warning light
turns on, have your dealer check the electrical system.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
Standard Cluster Gage Cluster
One of these lights should come on when you turn the
key to START. If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light and chime come on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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If you turn off the ignition or radio with a disc in the
player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the
ignition or system, the disc will start playing where it
stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
Also, as a protection feature, if a CD is ejected and left
in the player, it will be pulled back in the player with the
ignition on or off.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK
is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
If THEFTLOCK is active, the THEFTLOCK indicator
will flash when the ignition is off.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before it will operate.Activating the Theft
-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse
between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to
time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.
1. Write down any three or four
-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
--- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HRS to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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3-32
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HRS to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show
---, indicating that the radio is
no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is removed and later applied to a
secured radio, the radio won't turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.To unlock a secured radio see ªUnlocking the
Theft
-Deterrent Feature After a Power Lossº earlier in
this section.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
Some steering wheel controls may operate climate
controls. See ªSteering Wheel Controls for Climate
Controlº earlier in this section.
G±43±2201±V
SEEK: Press this button to
go to the next higher or
lower radio station. Press
and hold this button again
for two seconds and SCAN
will appear. Press it again to
stop scanning.

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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
You can tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for use
at your destination. Be sure to use the proper towing
equipment designed for recreational towing. Follow the
instructions for the towing equipment.
To tow your vehicle, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight
-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-3
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. But please use the following steps to do
it safely.
CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:

They contain acid that can burn you.

They contain gas that can explode or ignite.

They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn't be covered
by your warranty.
The ACDelco Freedom battery in your vehicle
has a built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or
jump start the battery if the hydrometer looks
clear or light yellow. Replace the battery when
there is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-5
CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the ACDelco Freedom

battery installed in every new GM vehicle. But if
a battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take care
of that first. If you don't, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
6. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) and negative (
-) will go to a metal
engine part. Don't connect positive (+) to
negative (
-) or you'll get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-6
C±35±5016±R
7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
X±45±1608±M
8. Don't let the other end
of the cable touch metal.
Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of
the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle
has one.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-7
X±45±2608±M
9. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the good battery's
negative (
-) terminal.
Don't let the other end touch anything until the next
step. The other end of the negative (
-) cable doesn't go
to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy unpainted metal
part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.
H±35±5089±S
10. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection is just as good
there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
11. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-8
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
13. Remove the cables in reverse order. Take care that
they don't touch each other or any other metal.
X±05±0607±S
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-22 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-22 Engine Coolant
6
-25 Power Steering Fluid
6
-26 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-27 Brakes
6
-31 Battery
6
-31 Bulb Replacement
6
-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-40 Tires6
-48 Appearance Care
6
-49 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-51 Care of Safety Belts
6
-51 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-51 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-54 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (IF EQUIPPED)
6
-54 Cleaning Tires
6
-54 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-55 Finish Damage
6
-56 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-57 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-57 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-58 Electrical System
6
-63 Replacement Bulbs
6
-64 Capacities and Specifications
6
-64 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-65 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts