maintenance BUICK LESABRE 2001 User Guide

6-14
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. Failure to use the recommended oil
can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(Vehicles Without the GM Oil Life System)
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:

Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

Most trips are through dusty areas.

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.

The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil
to break down slower.

6-17
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the air
intake hose. This will
allow you to lift the
rear portion of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
4. After detaching the hose from the throttle body,
pull back the entire rear portion of the engine air
cleaner/filter by pulling upward and rearward.
5. Check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
6. Reinstall the rear section of the engine air cleaner/filter.
7. Reconnect the electrical connector.
8. Reattach the air intake hose by snapping it back onto
the throttle body.
9. Refasten the latches to the air cleaner housing cover.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

6-18
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
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/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can cause
a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily
get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you're driving.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, the outside air entering
the vehicle is routed through a filter. The filter removes
certain particles from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. Reductions in airflow, which may occur more
quickly in dusty areas, indicate that the filter needs to be
replaced early.
The particle filter is under a
removeable panel located at
the base of the windshield
on the passenger's side.
The filter should be replaced as part of the routine
scheduled maintenance. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in
the Index for replacement intervals. See your dealer for
details on changing the filter.

6-19
Once you remove your filter, if you choose not to
replace it, it will not damage your vehicle. However, the
air will no longer be filtered.
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.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the 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.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.

6-21
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
cross
-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range,
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 ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº 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.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long
-neck funnel, add enough fluid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON
-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON

-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.

6-28
So, it isn't a good idea to ªtop offº your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See ªBrake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.

6-30
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong
with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top
-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in
many other ways if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.

6-31
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco
battery. When it's time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery's label. We recommend an
ACDelco battery.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
The battery is located under the rear seat cushion.
To access the battery, see ªRemoving the Rear Seat
Cushionº in the Index. You don't need to access the
battery to jump start your vehicle. See ªJump Startingº
in the Index.
CAUTION:
A battery that isn't properly vented can let
sulfuric acid fumes into the area under the rear
seat cushion. These fumes can damage your rear
seat safety belt systems. You may not be able to
see this damage, and the safety belts might not
provide the protection needed in a crash. If a
replacement battery is ever needed, it must be
vented in the same manner as the original
battery. Always make sure that the vent hose
is properly reattached before reinstalling the
seat cushion.

6-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Index for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following:
1. Lift the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Push the tab on the wiper blade assembly and pull
the assembly down enough to release it from the
ªUº hooked end of the wiper arm. Slide the
assembly away from the arm.
3. Remove the blade.
4. To reinstall the wiper blade assembly, slide it over
the wiper arm to engage the ªUº hooked end on
the wiper blade assembly. Pull up on the assembly
to lock it into place.
For the proper windshield wiper blade replacement
length and type, see ªNormal Maintenance Replacement
Partsº in the Index.

6-45 Check Tire Pressure System (If Equipped)
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. The system won't
alert you before you drive that a tire is low or flat.
You must begin driving before the system will
work properly.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message will appear
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if pressure
difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire. The
check tire pressure system may not alert you if:

more than one tire is low,

the vehicle is moving faster than 65 mph (105 km/h),

the system is not yet calibrated,

the tire treadwear is uneven,

the compact spare tire is installed,

tire chains are being used, or

the vehicle is being driven on a rough or frozen road.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
ªAnti
-Lock Brake System Warning Lightº in the Index.The check tire pressure system detects differences
in tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in
tire pressure. The system can alert you about a low
tire
-- but it doesn't replace normal tire maintenance.
See ªTiresº in the Index.
When the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message appears
on the Driver Information Center, you should stop as
soon as you can and check all your tires for damage.
If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index.
Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as
you can. See ªInflation
-Tire Pressureº in the Index.
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure or have one or
more tires repaired or replaced, you'll need to reset
(calibrate) the check tire pressure system. You'll also
need to reset the system whenever you rotate the tires,
buy new tires, install or remove the compact spare, and
whenever the vehicle's battery has been disconnected.
Don't reset the check tire pressure system without first
correcting the cause of the problem and checking and
adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset the
system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the check
tire pressure system will not work properly and may not
alert you when a tire is low or high.