BUICK LESABRE 2002 Owner's Manual

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. 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. For more washer cycles, push and hold
the paddle.
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.
Ice build up can block washer nozzles. Remove ice for
proper operation.
See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index for
more information.
Cruise Control
The switches to operate 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.

2-41
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn the cruise control back on.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the ON/OFF switch to turn cruise control on.
(ON/OFF is located on the bottom left of the steering
wheel.) An indicator light will come on to show that
cruise control is on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET/COAST switch and the CRUISE
light on the instrument panel cluster will illuminate.
(The switch is located on the bottom right of the
steering wheel.)
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

2-42
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can briefly press the RESUME/ACCEL
(resume/accelerate) switch to return to your desired
preset speed.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there. If you press and hold the RESUME/ACCEL
switch, the vehicle will keep going faster until you
release the switch or apply the brake. So unless you
want to go faster, don't press and hold the
RESUME/ACCEL switch.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the SET/COAST switch, then release
it and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.
Press the RESUME/ACCEL switch. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release it. (To increase your speed in very small
amounts, briefly press the RESUME/ACCEL
switch and then release it. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will only work after you
have set the cruise control speed by pressing the
SET/COAST switch.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press the SET/COAST switch until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET/COAST switch briefly. Each time you do
this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

2-43
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Applying the brake or shifting
into a lower gear will take your vehicle out of cruise
control. If you need to apply the brake or shift to
a lower gear due to the grade of the downhill slope,
you may not want to attempt to use your cruise
control feature.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal; or

press ON/OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control
buttons are located to the
left of the steering column.
(Parking Lamps): Pressing the button with this
symbol turns on the parking lamps, together with the
following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Pressing the button with this symbol
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

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.
Lamps On Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps
or parking lamps 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 (DRL)
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 lamps 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 exterior lamp button for the headlamps is off and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).

2-45
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.
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 lever 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 come on when the headlamps
or parking lamps are on and you signal a turn with
the multifunction lever. They provide more light
for cornering.
Twilight Sentinel

Twilight Sentinel turns your headlamps on and off by
sensing how dark it is outside.
The lever for this feature is
located to the left of the
steering column.
To operate it, leave the exterior lamp button off.
If you slide the lever all the way to MAX, your
headlamps will remain on for about three minutes after
you turn off your engine. As you slide the lever 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.

2-46
The exterior lamps can be completely shut off while
the vehicle is in PARK (P) by sliding the Twilight
Sentinel lever all the way toward OFF, and releasing it.
To turn the exterior lamps back on, slide the lever all
the way toward OFF again, and release it; or, shift out
of PARK (P).
Park Lamp Override Feature
If the Twilight Sentinel lighting is active, it can be
disabled by turning on the manual parking lamps.
The lighting will be disabled until the ignition is moved
from RUN or until the outside light level becomes
daylight. The outside light level changing to daylight
will cause the Twilight Sentinel feature to deactivate.
The wiper
-activated headlamps will override the
twilight disable feature.Light Sensor
Your Twilight Sentinel and
DRL work with the light
sensor located on top of the
instrument panel.
Don't cover it up. If you do, the sensor will read ªdarkº
and the Twilight Sentinel lighting will turn on.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off approximately 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned to LOCK and any door has been
opened. This protects draining the battery in case you
have accidentally left the headlamps or parking lamps
on. If you need to leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, use the manual control to turn the lamps
back on after the ignition is turned to LOCK and any
door is opened. To delay the lamps from turning off,
see ªTwilight Sentinelº in the index.

2-47
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
The lever for this feature is
located to the left of the
steering column.
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be
adjusted by sliding the INTERIOR lever from LO to HI.
The instrument panel lights will be on only when the
parking lamps are on. The interior courtesy lamps can
be turned on by sliding the INTERIOR lever all the
way to the top, to HI.
Courtesy Lamps
If it is dark enough outside, 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.
Illuminated Entry
If it is dark enough outside when you press the button
with the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, 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.
Delayed Entry Lighting
If it is dark enough outside 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. Locking the doors will override the delayed entry
lighting feature and the lamps will turn off right away.