brake fluid BUICK LESABRE 2001 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents (cont'd)
Maintenance Schedule Service and Appearance Care
Section
7
Section
6
Scheduled Maintenance
Owner Checks and Services
Periodic Maintenance InspectionsRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
Maintenance Records
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires and Wheels
Appearance Care
Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Fuel
Checking Fluids and Lubricants
GM Oil Life System™ (If Equipped)
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped)
Brakes
Bulb Replacement
iv

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.

2-85 DIC Warnings and Messages
Other messages or warnings may appear in the DIC
display. For Canadian drivers, in addition to the DIC
message your DIC will display EXP with a number
after it which reflects the following messages:
EXP (Export ID) Warning Message
20 TURN SIGNAL STILL ON?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 TRUNK AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW. . . . . . . .
27 BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36 ENGINE OIL LOW
- CHECK LEVEL . . . . . . . . .
40 THEFT ATTEMPT DETECTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54 SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . .
55 STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61 GAS CAP LOOSE
- CHECK CAP . . . . . . . . . . . .
81 CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91 TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVE. . . .
102 CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
139 DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
144 CHECK TIRE PRESSURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The EXP codes are used to make translation from
English to other languages easier.
Pressing any of the DIC control buttons will remove the
messages or warnings from the DIC display.
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
- 54: If you
ever see the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM message,
it means there may be a problem with your stability
enhancement system. If you see this message, try to
reset the system (stop; turn off the engine; then start the
engine again). If the SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM
message still comes on, it means there is a problem. You
should see your dealer for service. Reduce your speed
and drive accordingly.
STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE
- 55: You may see
the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center. It means that an advanced,
computer
-controlled system has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you're
steering. This stability enhancement system activates
when the computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of ice or
other slippery spot on the road. When the system is on,
you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal.

4-25
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels
and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle.
These parts can work hard on mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest
gear possible.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding roads.
Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

4-40 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good
idea to review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-18 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
6
-19 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-22 Engine Coolant
6
-25 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-25 Power Steering Fluid
6
-26 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-27 Brakes
6
-31 Battery
6
-38 Bulb Replacement6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-43 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-53 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-56 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Cleaning Tires
6
-58 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-59 Finish Damage
6
-60 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-61 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-61 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-62 Electrical System
6
-70 Replacement Bulbs
6
-70 Capacities and Specifications
6
-71 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed
or on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3800 (L36) engine, here's what you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Remote Positive Terminal
C. Engine Compartment Bussed
Electrical Center (BEC)D. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
E. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Oil DipstickG. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
I. Brake Master Cylinder
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

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.

6-27
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is on the
driver's side of the engine
compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº
in the Index. It is filled
with DOT
-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should
have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won't work well, or won't
work at all.