service BUICK LESABRE 2004 Repair Manual

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied 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 signicantly 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 specied 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.
5-70

Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certication and Service Parts
labels and the certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
You will nd this label on your spare tire cover. It is very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label,
you will nd the following:
VIN
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer rst.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-56.
5-91

Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers in the rear fuse block protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the
current load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the problem is xed
or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of res
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
You will nd a fuse puller clipped in both of the fuse
blocks. Snap the wide end of the fuse puller at the side
indentations and pull the fuse out.
The MaxiFuses are located in two fuse blocks, one
located in the engine compartment on the passenger’s
side and the other under the rear seat on the driver’s
side. If a MaxiFuse should blow, have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer immediately.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment
fuse block is located near
the front on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for 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.
5-92

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Selecting the Right Schedule...........................6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance..............6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance......6-13
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-17
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-17
At Least Once a Month.................................6-17At Least Twice a Year...................................6-18
At Least Once a Year...................................6-18
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections.........6-21
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection............................6-21
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-21
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-22
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-22
Throttle System Inspection.............................6-22
Brake System Inspection................................6-22
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. . . .6-23
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-24
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into ve parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services”explains
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
qualied and have the necessary equipment, you
should let your GM dealer’s service department do
these jobs.
Your GM dealer has GM-trained and supported
service people that will perform the work using genuine
GM parts.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
have a qualied technician do the work.If you want to get the service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services”tells you what
should be checked and when. It also explains what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”explains
important inspections that your dealer’s service
department can perform for you.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”lists
some recommended products necessary to help
keep your vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their equivalents, should be used whether you do
the work yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record”is a place for you to
record and keep track of the maintenance performed on
your vehicle. Keep your maintenance receipts. They
may be needed to qualify your vehicle for warranty
repairs.
6-3

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
In this part are scheduled maintenance services which
are to be performed at the mileage intervals specied.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. But we do not know exactly how
you will drive it. You may drive short distances only a
few times a week. Or you may drive long distances
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may
use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of the different ways people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs may vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer.This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer for your service needs, you
will know that GM-trained and supported service
people will perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper uids and lubricants to use are listed in Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the
vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these on the tire and loading
information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-33.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-4.
6-4

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Short Trip/City Denition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs rst).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km):Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions).
Every 150 000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
6-5

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
rst). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions.)
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-17
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-21.
6-6

Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
*If your vehicle has the GM Oil Life System, a computer
system lets you know when to change the oil and
lter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to
work properly, you must reset the system every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil on
page 5-13for information on resetting the system.
Whenever the tires are rotated, the Check Tire Pressure
System (if equipped) must be reset.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-22.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
6-7

12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
the lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
24,000 Miles (40 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
6-8