climate control BUICK LESABRE 2003 User Guide

1FRONT (Defrost):Pressing this button directs
most of the air to the windshield and the outboard outlets
(for the side windows), with some air directed to the
¯oor outlets. In this mode, the system will automatically
turn off recirculation and run the air conditioning
compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected while
in the FRONT defrost mode. Do not drive the vehicle
until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
=REAR:Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible.
At speeds above 35 mph (55 km/h), the defogger will
operate continuously until you press the REAR
button again. After 10 minutes of driving below 35 mph
(55 km/h), the defogger will turn off automatically. If
you need additional warming time, push the button
again. The system will then operate for ®ve minutes
before going off by itself.If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger
button is pressed.
Notice:Don't use a razor blade or something else
sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you
do, you could cut or damage the defogger and the
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a
decal or anything similar to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
3-26

MID:This mode directs air¯ow through the instrument
panel outlets.
MID-FLOOR:This mode directs air¯ow through both
the ¯oor and the instrument panel outlets. There is also
a small amount of air directed to the windshield and
the outboard outlets (for the side windows).
FLOOR:This mode directs most of the air¯ow to the
¯oor outlets with some directed to the outboard
outlets (for the side windows) and the windshield.
OFF:Press the OFF button once to turn off the
passenger climate control, if it has been activated.
Pressing the OFF button a second time will turn off the
main system. The outside temperature will be shown
on the display when the system is off.
VENT (Flow-Through Ventilation):Pressing the VENT
button allows outside air to ¯ow through your vehicle
without the air conditioning compressor working. To turn
off the VENT selection, push the VENT button again.
Selecting the VENT and AUTO buttons at the same time
allows the system to control the air¯ow automatically
without using the air conditioning compressor or
the recirculation mode.RECIRC (Recirculation):Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air coming into the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
your vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside
your vehicle more quickly. Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. When the button is
pressed, an indicator light will come on. The recirculation
mode cannot be used with the FRONT defrost or
VENT mode.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot air escape;
then close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system
to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, press the AUTO
button and the system will automatically enter
recirculation mode and the temperature will be at the full
cold position for maximum cooling.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
3-28

Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside of your vehicle, then uses the
information to maintain the selected temperature by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the
center of the instrument panel, near the windshield,
or the system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly.
1FRONT:Press the FRONT button to defrost the
windshield by directing air¯ow toward the windshield and
outboard outlets (for the side windows). To turn off
FRONT, press the AUTO or AIR FLOW buttons.
If the AIR FLOW up button is pressed while in the
FRONT defrost mode, the system will direct the
air toward the instrument panel outlets. If the AIR FLOW
down button is pressed while in the FRONT defrost
mode, the system will direct the air toward the ¯oor, and
the FRONT defrost mode will cancel. Do not drive the
vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
=REAR:Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible.
At speeds above 35 mph (55 km/h), the defogger will
operate continuously until you press the REAR
button again. After 10 minutes of driving below 35 mph
(55 km/h), the defogger will turn off automatically. If
you need additional warming time, push the button
again. The system will then operate for ®ve minutes
before going off by itself.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger
button is pressed.
Notice:Don't use a razor blade or something else
sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you
do, you could cut or damage the defogger and the
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a
decal or anything similar to the defogger grid.
3-29

Passenger Temperature Control
If your vehicle has this feature, then the driver and the
front-seat passenger can select separate temperature
settings. This feature allows the passenger to select
a temperature that is 5É F (3É C) warmer or cooler than
the driver's selected temperature. The control is
located on the passenger's door armrest.
Press the red button for a warmer temperature or the
blue button for a cooler temperature. Press the
OFF button on the main system once to turn off the
passenger's temperature control. Press the OFF button
twice to turn off the entire climate control system.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the levers located in
the middle of the front
outlets to change the
direction of the air¯ow.
In vehicles equipped with
rear seat outlets, you can
adjust the direction of
the air¯ow using the lever
in the center of each
outlet. Use the thumbwheel
located between the
outlets to turn them on
and off.
3-30

Operation Tips
·
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ¯ow of air into your vehicle.
·Use of non-GM approved hood de¯ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
·Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Steering Wheel Climate Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, you can control
the temperature function
by using the switch located
on your steering wheel.
wTEMPx(Temperature):Press the up or down
arrow on this switch to increase or decrease the
temperature.
Climate Controls Personalization
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, up to two
drivers are able to store and recall climate control
settings for the temperature, the fan speed and the
direction of the air¯ow.
Memory buttons 1 and 2 are located on the driver's
door panel and correspond to the numbers 1 or 2 found
on the back of each remote keyless entry transmitter.
To store settings, do the following:
1. Select the desired temperature, fan speed and
air¯ow mode. If desired, a separate temperature
setting may also be selected for the front seat
passenger. For information on how to do this, see
Dual Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-26.
2. Locate memory buttons 1 and 2 on the driver's
door panel.
3. Press the memory button on the door panel that
corresponds to the number on the back of the
transmitter you are programming, until you hear two
beeps. The beeps con®rm that your selection has
been saved and can now be recalled. For more
information on the memory feature, see
Memory
Seat and Mirrors on page 2-44.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings.
3-31

To recall the climate control settings last stored on your
transmitter, press the unlock button on your remote
keyless entry transmitter and put the ignition in
ACCESSORY or RUN. The settings will be recalled.
Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on brie¯y when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual's advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly ± and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
The volume of your vehicle's warning chimes can be
adjusted. For information see
Chime Level Adjustment
on page 3-81.
3-32

The air bag readiness light should ¯ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Battery Warning Light
When you turn the key to
RUN, this light will turn on
brie¯y to show that the
generator and battery
charging systems
are working.
If the light stays on, a chime will sound indicating that
the vehicle needs service. You should take your vehicle
to the dealer as soon as possible. To save the battery
until you get there, turn off all accessories and set
the climate control system to OFF.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on when you turn the key to
RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-37

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci®ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signi®cantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction ± AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on speci®ed government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature ± A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci®ed indoorlaboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly in¯ated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underin¯ation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
5-64

Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-54
Check...........................................................3-40
Engine Light...............................................3-40
Tire Pressure System...................................5-59
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-83
Child Restraints..............................................1-33
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-38
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-43
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-38
Top Strap...................................................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-81
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-82
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-81
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-77
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-79
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-79Cleaning Leather............................................5-79
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-79
Cleaning Tires................................................5-82
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-79
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-81
Cleaning........................................................5-77
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-77
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Climate Control System...................................3-24
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-31
Dual Automatic............................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Steering Wheel Controls...............................3-31
Compact Disc Errors.......................................3-76
Compact Disc Messages..........................3-62, 3-73
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-76
Compass Calibration.......................................2-34
Compass Operation.........................................2-34
Compass Variance..........................................2-34
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-43
Coolant.........................................................3-40
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Cooling System..............................................5-28
3

Driving..........................................................4-16
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-25
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-26
Dual Sun Visor...............................................2-17
E
Electrical System............................................5-85
Add-On Equipment......................................5-85
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-86
Removing the Rear Seat Cushion..................5-89
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-15
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-42
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-86
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-17
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-42
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-17
Engine..........................................................5-18
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18Engine (cont.)
Battery.......................................................5-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant......................................................5-23
Cooling System Inspection............................6-22
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-23
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-41
Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
Exterior Lights................................................3-53
F
Filter.............................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XMŸ).............3-66
Finding a PTY Station.....................................3-59
Finding a Station....................................3-56, 3-64
Finish Care....................................................5-81
Finish Damage...............................................5-83
5