windshield wipers BUICK LESABRE 2002 Owner's Manual

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.
(A) ACCESSORY: 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 Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-To-Pass Feature

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer
For more information on exterior lamps, see ªExterior
Lampsº later in this section.
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
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 the 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. 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.

2-44
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).

6-64
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment
fuse block is located near
the front on the passenger's
side of the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index
for more information
on location.
Lift the cover to gain access. 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 outlets 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