instrument panel BUICK LESABRE 1999 User Guide

yellowblue
2-40
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
These switches control
these systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Press the LIGHTS switch to turn on the headlamps.
Press it again to turn them off. When the headlamps are
turned on, the instrument panel lights will also turn on.
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be
adjusted with the PANEL LIGHTS switch to the left of
the steering column. Some lights will not dim during
daylight hours.
Press the PARK switch to turn on the parking lamps.
Press it again to turn them off. (If the parking lamps
were turned on with the PARK switch, they must be
turned off with that switch).
Lamps On Reminder
If you leave the manual headlamp or parking lamp
switch on, remove the key from the ignition and open
the driver's door, you will hear a continuous warning
chime. The chime will turn off when the lamps are
turned off.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and
twilight sentinel, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
turn on at reduced brightness in daylight when:

The ignition is on,

The headlamp switch is off and

The transaxle is not in PARK (P).

yellowblue
2-41
When the DRL are on, only your high-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel
lights won't be on either.
When it is dark enough outside, your low
-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on
with your headlamps will also turn on. When it is bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and your
high
-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn off the headlamps and move the twilight
sentinel control all the way toward MIN. The exterior
lamps will turn back on automatically when you move
the transaxle out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps (If Equipped)
The cornering lamps are designed to turn on when you
signal a turn. This will provide more lighting when
cornering at night.
Twilight Sentinel
Twilight sentinel turns your
lamps on and off by sensing
how dark it is outside.
To operate it, leave the lamp switch off.
If you move the control all the way to MAX, your
headlamps will remain on for three minutes after you
turn off your engine. As you move the control toward
MIN, the headlamps will turn off more quickly when
you turn off your engine. You can change this delay time
from only a few seconds to three minutes.

yellowblue
2-42
The exterior lamps can be completely shut off while the
vehicle is in PARK (P) by sliding the twilight sentinel
control all the way toward MIN, and release. To turn the
exterior lamps back on, slide the control all the way
toward MIN again, and release; or, shift out of
PARK (P).
Light Sensor
Your twilight sentinel and
DRL work with the light
sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Don't
cover it up. If you do, the
sensor will read ªdarkº and
the headlamps will turn on.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel
Intensity/Brightness Control
The instrument panel
intensity can be adjusted by
moving this lever between
LO and HI. The instrument
panel lights will be on only
when the headlamps are on.
The interior courtesy lamps
can be turned on by sliding
the lever all the way to the
right, to INT.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps go on. They
make it easy for you to enter and leave the vehicle. You
can also turn these lamps on by sliding the PANEL
LIGHTS switch to INT (Interior).

yellowblue
2-54
The Instrument Panel - Your Information System

yellowblue
2-55
1. Air Outlet
2. Instrument Panel Intensity Control
3. Twilight Sentinel
4. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
5. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
6. Instrument Cluster/Gages
7. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
8. Audio System9. Glove Box
10. Climate Control System
11. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
12. Ignition Switch
13. Traction Control Button
14. Trunk Release Button
15. Hood Release

yellowblue
2-56
Instrument Panel Clusters
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many other things you'll need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which includes indicator warning lights and
gages that are explained on the following pages.
Standard Cluster

yellowblue
2-60 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see ªAir
Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Battery System Warning Light
Standard Cluster Gage Cluster
When you turn the key to RUN, one of these lights will
turn on briefly to show that your generator and battery
charging systems are working.
If the light stays on, you need service and you should
take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save your
battery until you get there, turn off all accessories and
set your climate control system to OFF.

yellowblue
2-64 Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light will tell you
that your engine coolant
has overheated or your
radiator cooling fans are
not working.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn the engine off as soon as possible.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped
with the gage cluster, you
have a gage that shows the
engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves
into the red area, your
engine is too hot!
That reading means the same thing as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
The engine coolant temperature gage indicates the
coolant temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. The
Canadian instrument panels indicate the coolant
temperature in degrees Celsius.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

yellowblue
2-67
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel
(see ªFuelº in the Index). Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start
-up,
stalling when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration.
(These conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system and
cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Pressure Light/Gage
Standard Cluster
If your vehicle has the standard instrument panel cluster,
this light will come on if there is a problem with your
engine oil pressure.
Gage Cluster
If your vehicle has the optional gage cluster, you can
read your oil pressure directly from the gage on your
instrument panel. A small light to the left of the gage will
come on if there is a problem with the engine oil pressure.

First Edition for Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual ± 1999
yellowblue
3-3
VENT: This setting directs outside air through the
middle instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning
compressor is not working when VENT is selected.
HTR: This button directs air out of the heater outlets.
Most of the air will come from the floor outlets while
some air will flow through the windshield and side
window outlets. The air conditioning compressor is not
working when HTR is selected.
BLEND: When BLEND is selected, the airflow will be
split between the windshield and the floor outlets. The
air conditioning compressor will be operating.
FRONT: This setting directs most of the airflow toward
the windshield.
OFF: The ventilation system always allows fresh air to
flow through your vehicle when it is moving. The
system will try to keep the air at a previously chosen
temperature. When the system is off, the blower fan is
also off.
MAX: This setting directs airflow through the middle
instrument panel outlets. The amount of outside air
entering your vehicle is limited with this setting. The air
conditioning compressor is on in this mode.NORM: This setting cools the outside air entering your
vehicle and directs it through the middle instrument
panel outlets. The air conditioner is on in this mode.
BI
-LEV: This setting directs warm air to the floor and
cooler air to the middle instrument panel outlets. The air
conditioner is on in this mode.
Dual Automatic Comfortemp
Climate Control (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has the Dual Automatic Comfortemp
Climate Control option, the following information tells
you how it works.
You will hear a beep each time a button is pushed and a
light on the button will indicate which function is active.
The lights are on all buttons except TEMP, FAN and
AIR FLOW. The display will show fan speed, comfort
level setting and airflow direction for a few seconds
whenever AUTO is selected, and then it will display the
outside temperature. The outside temperature reading is
most accurate when the vehicle is moving. During stops,
the display shows the previous temperature for best
accuracy and system control.