brake BUICK LESABRE 2000 User Guide

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2-31 Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's
seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

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2-32
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF/UNLOCK ignition position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center as
soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.

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2-34
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
The power window controls located on the driver's
armrest operate each of the windows while the ignition is
on or while retained accessory power is active. In addition,
each passenger door has a control for its own window.

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2-40 Windshield Washer
At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever, there's
a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer
fluid on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers
will clear the window and either stop or return to your
preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
Cruise Control
The controls to operate the cruise control are located on
the steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.

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2-42
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can briefly press the RESUME/ACCEL
(resume/accelerate) button to return to your desired
preset speed.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there. If you press and hold the RESUME/ACCEL
button, the vehicle will keep going faster until you
release the button or apply the brake. So unless you
want to go faster, don't press and hold the
RESUME/ACCEL button.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET/COAST button, then release the
button and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at
the higher speed.
Press the RESUME/ACCEL button. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the button. (To increase your speed in very
small amounts, briefly press the RESUME/ACCEL
button and then release it. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will only work after you have set the
cruise control speed by pressing the SET/COAST button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press the SET/COAST button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET/COAST button briefly. Each time you do this,
you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

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2-43
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Applying the brake or shifting
into a lower gear will take your vehicle out of cruise
control. If you need to apply the brake or shift to a lower
gear due to the grade of the downhill slope, you may not
want to attempt to use your cruise control feature.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal; or

press the ON/OFF button.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
These switches control these systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps
Press the button with the lamp symbol on it to turn on
the headlamps. Press it again to turn them off. When the
headlamps are turned on, the instrument panel lights as
well as the parking lamps will also turn on.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the headlamps and parking lamps
when the Twilight Sentinel
 is in day mode and after
the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds.

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2-63
A. Air Outlets
B. Driver Information Center Buttons (If Equipped)
C. Multifunction Lever
D. Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
E. Hazard Warning Flashers
F. Instrument Cluster
G. Traction Control Button (If Equipped)H. Exterior Lamps
I. Head
-Up Display (HUD) Controls (If Equipped)
J. Hood Release
K. Parking Brake
L. Cruise Controls
M. Audio System
N. Climate Controls
O. Glove Box

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2-69 Battery System Warning Light
When you turn the key to
RUN, this light will turn on
briefly, to show that your
generator and battery
charging systems
are working.
If the light stays on, a chime will sound indicating 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.
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.
This light should come on
when you turn the key to
RUN. 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.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.

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2-70
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will also come on until you release the parking
brake. If the light and chime stay on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light
isn't on, you still have brakes, but you don't have
anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you
don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a problem with
your regular brakes. See ªBrake System Warning Lightº
earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
This warning light should
come on briefly as you
start the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. If it stays on, or
comes on when you're driving, there may be a problem with
your traction control system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

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2-71
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the button
located on the end of the gearshift lever, the warning
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning light
should go off. (See ªTraction Control Systemº in the
Index for more information.)

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, your engine
is too hot!
A temperature indicator light will come on and a
chime will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions and the temperature indicator light
turns on, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
The ªProblems on the Road,º section of this manual
explains what to do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.