windshield wipers BUICK LESABRE 2001 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
Trunk Release
Automatic Transaxle
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield Wipers
Cruise Control
Exterior and Interior LampsMirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net
Auxiliary Power Outlets
OnStar® System (If Equipped)
Sunroof (Option)
HomeLink® Transmitter (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages
Driver Information Center (If Equipped)
Personal Choice Features
Head-Up Display (If Equipped) Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag Systems
Restraint Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

2-22
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use your
electrical power accessories such as power windows,
power sunroof (option), 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.

2-36
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-To-Pass

Windshield Wipers and Washer
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
To signal a turn, move the lever on the left side of the
steering wheel all the way up or down. The lever returns
automatically when the turn is complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head
-Up Display
(HUD), an arrow will also appear in the display area
to indicate the direction of the turn or lane change
(See ªHead
-Up Display (HUD)º in Index for
more information).
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is complete. The lever will return by itself when you
release it.
If the arrows flash very fast as you signal a turn or a
lane change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won't see your turn signal.

2-38 Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by turning the
band marked WIPER.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the LO position. For high
-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, turn
the band to OFF.
The wiper speed may be set for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than
six seconds while you are driving, the low
-beam
headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting
and taillamps will turn on. For more information
see ªWiper
-Activated Headlampsº in the Index.

2-39 Rainsense
II Wipers (If Equipped)
The moisture sensor is mounted on the interior of the
windshield below the rearview mirror and is used to
automatically operate the wipers. This system operates
by monitoring the amount of moisture build
-up on
the windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the
windshield depending on the driving conditions and
the sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer wipes
will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will occur more
frequently. The system will operate in the delay, low
speed and high speed modes. If the system is left on
for long periods of time, occasional wipes may occur
without any moisture on the windshield. This is normal
and indicates that the Rainsense system is active.
The Rainsense system is activated by turning the wiper
control band to one of the five sensitivity levels within
the delay area. The delay position closest to OFF/MIST
is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one. This allows
more rain or snow to collect on the windshield between
wipes. You can increase the sensitivity of the system
and the frequency of wipes by turning the wiper control
band away from you to the higher sensitivity levels.
The highest sensitivity setting, level five, is closest to
the LO position. A single wipe will occur each time you
turn the wiper control band to a higher sensitivity level
to indicate that the sensitivity level has been increased.
NOTICE:
The wipers must be turned off when going
through a car wash to avoid damage.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the Rainsense function. The system
can be overridden at any time by manually changing
the wiper control to LO or HI speed.
NOTICE:
Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the
rainsensor. Doing this could cause the rainsensor
to malfunction.

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.

2-44
Wiper-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the low
-beam headlamps
instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps
when the Twilight Sentinel

is in day mode and after
the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds.
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, 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 the
buttons will turn on. At night, if the ignition key is turned
to RUN, the brightness of this lighting can be adjusted
using the instrument panel intensity/brightness control.
The radio and climate control displays will also be on.
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. Fully functional daytime
running lights are required on all vehicles first sold
in Canada.
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
following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).

6-63
Engine Compartment Bussed Electrical
Center (BEC)
The front Bussed Electrical
Center (BEC) is located in
the front of the engine
compartment on the
passenger's side. Lift the
cover to gain access.
See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.
On some vehicles, there may be an additional cover
that you will need to lift to gain access to the fuses.
Fuse 22 or 23 can be moved to the outer position
to provide continuous power to the auxiliary outlet
or cigarette lighter when the ignition is not ON.
See your dealer for additional assistance, if needed.
Minifuse Usage
1 Not Used
2 Accessory
3 Windshield Wipers
4 Not Used
5 Left Low
-Beam Headlamp
6 Right Low
-Beam Headlamp
7 Instrument Panel
8 Powertrain Control Module Battery
9 Right High
-Beam Headlamp