power steering BUICK LESABRE 2004 User Guide

When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level on
the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough uid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-23.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.
5-36

Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger car tire size.
(A) P-Metric Tire:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The letter “P” as the
rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is “70,” as shown in item “C” of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
70% as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
“R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and the speed rating of a tire. The
load range represents the load carrying capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index can range from 1 to
279. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire
is certied to carry a load. Speed ratings range from
“A” to “Z”.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to its
width.
5-62

Part C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).You should let your dealer’s
service department do these jobs. Make sure any
necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-11.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chang, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the oor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-31.
6-21

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 89021184, in Canada
89021186).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
®-IIII Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Fuel Door,
Glove Box
Door, Console
Door and Rear
Compartment
Lid HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
992887).
6-23

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-36
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-91
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-57, 3-65
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-36
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-47
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-53
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-56
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-53
What Will You See After an
Air Bag Inates?......................................1-54
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-51
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-50
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
AM ...............................................................3-79
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-81
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-82
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-38
Appearance Care............................................5-83
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-86Appearance Care (cont.)
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-89
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-84
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-87
Finish Damage............................................5-89
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-89
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-89
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-90
Weatherstrips..............................................5-87
Ashtrays........................................................3-23
Audio System(s).............................................3-55
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-78
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-80
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-81
Care of Your CDs........................................3-81
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-82
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-81
Personal Choice Radio Controls....................3-77
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-62
Radio with CD............................................3-56
Setting the Time..........................................3-55
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-78
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-73
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-79
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-82
Automatic Door Locks.....................................3-51
Automatic Level Control...................................4-39
Automatic Operation........................................3-27
1

Flat Tire........................................................5-73
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-74
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM Stereo.....................................................3-79
Following Distance..........................................4-44
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-13
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-19
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-22
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Speedometer..............................................3-35Gage (cont.)
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-38
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specications............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-41
Glove Box.....................................................2-42
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-47
Horizontal Aiming.........................................5-49
Vertical Aiming............................................5-50
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamps....................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-52
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
Headlamps On Reminder.................................3-14
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-20
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
6

Hitches..........................................................4-42
HomeLink®Transmitter....................................2-38
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-39
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-65
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-36
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-40
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-28
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-20Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.......................3-19
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-65
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-22
Engine Cooling System................................6-22
Exhaust System..........................................6-21
Fuel System...............................................6-22
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-21
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-21
Throttle System...........................................6-22
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-33
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-18
Key Reminder Warning....................................2-23
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
7

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-17
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections.......6-21
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-23
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-24
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-21
Throttle System Inspection............................6-22
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-46
Making Turns.................................................4-44
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Operation...........................................3-27
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-8
Memory Mirrors..............................................2-44
Memory Seat.................................................2-44
Memory Seats................................................3-54Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirror Operation.....................................2-33, 2-34
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass....2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Memory.....................................................2-44
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror......2-36
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-36
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror....................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-35
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-100
O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
9

Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-22
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-92
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-17
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-12
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-39
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-26
Radio Data System (RDS)...............................3-62
Radio Messages.....................................3-60, 3-67
Radios..........................................................3-55
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-80
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-81
Care of Your CDs........................................3-81
Personal Choice Radio Controls....................3-77
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-62
Radio with CD............................................3-56Radios (cont.)
Setting the Time..........................................3-55
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-78
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-73
Understanding Reception..............................3-79
Rainsense™ II Wipers....................................... 3-9
RDS Messages......................................3-59, 3-66
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-24
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..............................5-96
Rear Window Defogger............................3-26, 3-29
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-33
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass....................................................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-32
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Remote Trunk Release Lockout........................2-14
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-77
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-75
Removing the Wheel Covers and Wheel
Nut Caps...................................................5-76
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-56
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-40
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..............................................1-57
11

V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-33
Service Soon Light......................................3-44
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records . . 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-91
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-91
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-50
Memory Seat and Mirrors.............................2-44
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-41
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-30
Visors...........................................................2-17
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-32
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. ivWashing Your Vehicle......................................5-87
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-18
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-41
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-41
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
What to Use..........................................5-24, 5-36
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-71
Replacement...............................................5-71
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles with
the GM Oil Life System)...............................5-17
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles
Without the GM Oil Life System)...................5-16
When to Check..............................................5-65
When to Check and Change............................5-21
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-36
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....5-18
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill.........................................4-46
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-36
Why Safety Belts Work..................................... 1-8
Window Lock Out...................................2-17, 3-52
Windows.......................................................2-16
Power........................................................2-17
Windshield Washer.........................................3-10
Fluid..........................................................5-36
15