check engine BUICK LESABRE 2001 Owner's Guide

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.

6-20
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180
F to 200
F
(82
C to 93
C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50
F
(10
C). If it's colder than 50
F (10
C), you may
have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:

Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.

With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).

With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the
shift lever in PARK (P).

Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The transaxle fluid
dipstick top is a round, red
loop and is located next to
the brake master cylinder
behind the engine block.
See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.

6-23 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-24 Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank is
located on the passenger's
side of the engine
compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at FULL
COLD or a little higher. When your engine is warm,
the level should be up to FULL HOT or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.

6-25
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
The power steering fluid reservoir is located toward the
back of the engine on the passenger's side.

6-26 How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the
level up to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The washer fluid reservoir
is located on the passenger's
side of the engine
compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more
information on location.
If your vehicle is not equipped with a Driver Information
Center (DIC), a washer dip tube has been provided to
check fluid level. Place fingers over the holes on the dip
tube handle and pull the tube out of the bottle. If there
is no fluid in the tube, windshield washer fluid needs to
be added.
If your vehicle is equipped with a DIC, the
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW message
will appear when windshield washer fluid needs to
be added.
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID. Add washer
fluid until the tank is full.

6-62
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Some add
-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see ªServicing
Your Air Bag
-Equipped Vehicleº in the Index.
Power Windows and Other
Power Accessories
Circuit breakers in the rear electrical center protect the
power windows and other power accessories. When the
current load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed
or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of fires
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver
-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
You will find a fuse puller clipped in both of the bussed
electrical centers. Snap the wide end of the fuse puller at
the side indentations and pull the fuse out.
The MaxiFuses are located in two Bussed Electrical
Centers (BEC), one located near the engine compartment
on the passenger's side and the other under the rear seat
on the driver's side. If a MaxiFuse should blow, have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer immediately.

6-70
Replacement Bulbs
Front Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Cornering Lamps 3157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Headlamps
Low Beam 9006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High Beam 9005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking/Turn Signal Lamps 3157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back
-Up Lamps 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps 3357. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For service information on other bulbs, contact your
dealer's service department.
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English
and metric conversions. Please refer to ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for more information.
Capacities
Transaxle
Pan Removal
and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . . . . . . . . . .
After Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . .
Engine Cooling System 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . . . . .
Crankcase (Engine Oil with
Filter Change) 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank 18.5 U.S. gallons (70.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerant See refrigerant charge. . . .
label under the hood.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure
to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Wheel Nut Torque
100 1b-ft (140 N´m)

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
7-20
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº and
ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspectionsº following.
Footnotes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.* If your vehicle has the GM Oil Life System, the
system will show you when to change the engine oil and
filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
10,000 miles (16 000 km) since your last oil change.
Under severe conditions, the indicator may come on
before 3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle
more than 10,000 miles (16 000 km) or 12 months
without an oil and filter change.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So if you drive in
a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
SOON message appears. Remember to reset the Oil Life
System whenever the oil is changed. For more
information, see ªOil Life Systemº in the Index.
@ Whenever the tires are rotated, the Check Tire Pressure
System (if your vehicle is so equipped) must be reset.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire rotation.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº under ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspectionsº in Part C of this schedule.

7-27
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle,
make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don't forget to check your spare tire. See ªTiresº in
the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.