key BUICK LESABRE 2000 Owner's Guide

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Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use your
electrical power accessories such as power windows,
power sunroof (if equipped), radio and the windshield
wipers. To use, push in the ignition key and turn it
toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just
as it was before you inserted the key.
OFF/LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you
can remove the key. This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It's a theft
-deterrent feature.
OFF/UNLOCK (C): This position lets you turn off the
engine but still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock
the steering wheel like OFF/LOCK and it doesn't send
any electrical power to the accessories. The instrument
panel cluster will remain powered in OFF/LOCK to
illuminate the gear shift indicator. The cluster will also
activate the parking brake light when the parking brake
is set. Use OFF/UNLOCK if you must have your vehicle
in motion while the engine is not running.

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RUN (D): This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. This is the
position for normal driving. Even when the engine is not
running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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 of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in the OFF ignition position, you will
hear a warning chime when you open the driver's door.
Always leave your key in LOCK. If you leave it in any
other position, you will drain your battery power.
Retained Accessory Power
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have electrical power to such accessories as the
power windows, audio steering wheel controls, clock,
sunroof (if equipped) and the radio for up to 10 minutes.
The instrument cluster lights will stay on for a few
seconds, then will go out. Once you open a door, the
power will shut off.

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Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your V6 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, 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.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

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2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery or
damaging your starter.
3. 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 vehicle 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.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

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2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Pull the lever toward you.
Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF/ LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

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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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To operate the wiper-activated headlamps, the Twilight
Sentinel must be on. If the wiper
-activated headlamps
are on and the ignition switch is turned to RUN, the
wiper
-activated headlamps will continue. When you
turn the key to OFF/UNLOCK, the wiper
-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. The
wiper
-activated headlamps will also turn off if you
turn off the Twilight Sentinel or the windshield wipers.
Parking Lamps
Press the PARK button to turn on the parking lamps.
Press it again to turn them off. (If the parking lamps
were turned on with the PARK button, they must be
turned off with that button).
When the parking lamps are turned on during the day,
the instrument panel cluster lights and backlighting to
buttons will turn on. At night, the brightness of this
lighting can be adjusted by the instrument panel
intensity/brightness control if the ignition key is turned
to RUN. The radio and climate control displays will also
be on. When it becomes dark outside, the instrument
panel intensity/brightness control will operate all
instrument panel lighting.
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).
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.

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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 OFF. 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.
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 about three minutes after
you turn off your engine. As you move the control toward
OFF, the headlamps will turn off more quickly when you
move your key from RUN. You can change this delay
time from only a few seconds to three minutes.
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 OFF, and release. To turn the
exterior lamps back on, slide the control all the way
toward OFF again, and release; or, shift out of PARK (P).

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2-47 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 INTERIOR
lever all the way to the top.
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door, the interior lamps will turn on.
When you close the door with the ignition off, the
interior lamps will stay on for up to 25 seconds or until
the ignition is turned to an on position. When the lamps
turn off as a result of the 25 second timer or the ignition
switch being turned on, the lighting will deactivate via
the theater dimming effect. Note that locking the doors
will override the delayed entry lighting feature and the
lamps will turn off right away.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will turn on and stay
on for approximately 25 seconds after you remove the
key from the ignition. This will give you time to find the
door pull handle or lock switches. The exit lighting will
be cancelled and the lighting will be theater dim once
the key is reinserted into the ignition.
Illuminated Entry
Press the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter and the interior courtesy lamps
will turn on and stay on for approximately 40 seconds.
The lamps will turn off immediately by pressing the
button with the lock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, turning the ignition key to RUN or
activating the power door locks.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL headlamps,
parking lamps and back
-up lamps will turn on if it is
dark enough outside.

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CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Automatic Dimming/Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
If you have this feature, the outside driver's mirror will
adjust for the glare of headlamps behind you. This
feature is controlled by the on and off settings on the
automatic electrochromic day/night rearview mirror.
See ªElectrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirrorº
earlier in this section.
When you operate the rear window defogger, a defogger
also warms the heated driver's and passenger's outside
rearview mirrors to help clear them of ice and snow.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
lift the latch release on the left side of the glove box door.
Front Storage Armrest
You may have a fold-down armrest between the front seats
that opens into a storage area. To open it, push the button
on the front edge. Inside are cupholders that can be rotated
forward for use. There is also a removable coinholder and
a storage area for cassette tapes and compact discs.
Front Center Console (Option)
Your vehicle may have a center console that opens to
two storage compartments. The front of the console has
two cupholders that can be unfolded for use. Flip the
center of the console forward to use the built
-in writing
surface on top of the lid.
You will also find an auxiliary power outlet located inside
the storage compartment and one on the lower front edge
of the console. These outlets can be used for accessories
requiring electrical power, such as a cellular phone or fax
machine. See ªAuxiliary Power Outletsº in the Index.
The console also contains a removeable coinholder as
well as storage for cassette tapes and compact discs.