BUICK LESABRE 2003 Repair Manual

Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.If you've had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH
system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if
worn during a more severe crash, then you need new
parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
or LATCH system wasn't being used at the time of
the collision.
If your seat adjuster won't work after a crash, the
special part of the safety belt that goes through the seat
to the adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag in¯ates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part about the air bag system
earlier in this manual.
1-55

-NOTES
1-56

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-9
Door Locks....................................................2-9
Central Door Unlocking System......................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks...............................................2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
žIII ..............................................2-19
PASS-KeyžIII Operation...............................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-25
Parking Brake..............................................2-27
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-30
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31
Engine Exhaust............................................2-31
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked...............................................2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass...........................................2-33
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-35
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror.....................2-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
Outside Automatic Dimming
Heated Mirror...........................................2-36
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

OnStaržSystem.............................................2-37
HomeLinkžTransmitter...................................2-38
Programming the HomeLinkžTransmitter.........2-39
Storage Areas................................................2-42
Glove Box...................................................2-42
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-42
Convenience Net..........................................2-43Sunroof.........................................................2-43
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-44
Memory Seat and Mirrors..............................2-44
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2

Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with
children.
2-3

There is a master key that
works in all of the lock
cylinders (driver's
door, trunk, ignition, and
glove box).
There is also a VALET key
which only operates the
driver's door and the
ignition.Your vehicle has the PASS-KeyžIII vehicle theft
system. Both the master and VALET key have a
transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in
the vehicle's steering column. If a replacement key
or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this
key from your dealer. The key will have PK3
žstamped
on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the
original keys. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a
new key made.
Any new PASS-Key
žIII key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. SeePASS-KeyžIII on
page 2-19for more information on programming
your new key.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar
žSystem
with an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar
žmay be able to send a command
to unlock your vehicle. SeeOnStaržSystem on
page 2-37for more information.
Notice:Your vehicle has a number of features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
spare keys.
2-4

Remote Keyless Entry System
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
·Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
·Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
·Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See ªBattery Replacementº under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5.
·If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali®ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
With this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors or
unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30
feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
2-5

If your vehicle is equipped with the DIC, the numbers on
the back of your transmitter correspond to DRIVER #1
and DRIVER #2 on the DIC. For more information
see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
W(Unlock):When this
button is pressed, the
driver's door will unlock
and the exterior lights will
¯ash twice.
If the unlock button is pressed again within ®ve seconds,
all doors will unlock, the exterior lamps will ¯ash twice
and the horn may sound. See ªSecurity Feedbackº later
in this section for more information.
Pressing the unlock button will also illuminate the
interior lamps. See ªEntry Lightingº under
Interior Lamps
on page 3-17.
Q(Lock):When this button is pressed, all doors will
lock, the exterior lamps will ¯ash once and the horn
may sound.
V(Trunk):The trunk will unlock if this button is
pressed when the ignition is in OFF. It will also
work when the ignition is on, but only while the transaxle
is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
L(Instant Alarm):When this button is pressed, the
horn will sound and the headlamps and taillamps
will ¯ash for up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by
pressing the instant alarm button again or by turning
the ignition on. If your vehicle is equipped with the
content theft-deterrent feature, you may also turn off the
instant alarm by unlocking the vehicle with a key.
Personalization Features
The following list of features, if available on your
vehicle, can be programmed to each driver's preference.
·Automatic Door Locks:This feature programs
your door locks to automatically lock or unlock
when shifting in and out of PARK (P).
·Security Feedback:This feature provides feedback
to the driver when the vehicle receives a command
from the remote keyless entry transmitter.
2-6

·Delayed Locking:This feature lets the driver delay
the actual locking of the vehicle. When all doors
have been closed, the doors will lock automatically
after ®ve seconds.
·Perimeter Lighting:When the button with the
unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter is pressed, the daytime running lamps
(DRL), parking lamps and back-up lamps will
turn on.
For more detailed information and programming
instructions, refer to
DIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-50for each individual feature listed above.
Security Feedback
This feature provides feedback when the vehicle
receives a command from the remote keyless entry
transmitter. Feedback is only provided if all doors are
closed, the ignition is off and the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is inactive. One of the following modes
may be selected for each transmitter:
Mode 1:No feedback when locking or unlocking
vehicle.
Mode 2:Parking lamps, back-up lamps and the DRL
exterior lamps will ¯ash twice when unlocking the vehicle
and ¯ash once when locking the vehicle.Mode 3:Horn chirps when all doors are unlocked
(second time the button is pressed) and when locking
the vehicle.
Mode 4:Parking lamps, back-up lamps and the DRL
exterior lamps will ¯ash twice each time the button with
the unlock symbol is pressed; the horn chirps when
all doors are unlocked. Parking lamps and the
DRL exterior lamps ¯ash once and the horn chirps
when locking the vehicle.
The exterior lamps will not ¯ash if the manual parking
lamps are on.
If your vehicle is equipped with the DIC, you must
program this feature using it. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the DIC, do the
following to change to another mode:
1. Close all the doors and turn the ignition on. Keep
all doors closed throughout this procedure.
2. Press and hold LOCK on the driver's power door
lock switch throughout this procedure. All the
doors will lock.
3. Press the trunk button on the transmitter. The
security feedback will remain in its current mode.
The horn will chirp as feedback.
2-7

4. Press the trunk button again. Each time the trunk
button is pressed, the security feedback will
advance to the next mode, and the horn will chirp.
5. Release the power door lock switch. The security
feedback will remain in the most current mode
selected.
This procedure only changes the mode for the
transmitter used to change this setting.
To verify the mode selected, remove the key from the
ignition and close all of the doors after you've exited the
vehicle. Press the lock button on the transmitter to be
veri®ed and con®rm the appropriate feedback.
Repeat with the unlock button.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go toyour dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
See your dealer to have additional transmitters matched
to your vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about four years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.
2-8