AUTOMATIC BUICK LESABRE 2005 Owner's Guide

The Rainsense™ system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the ve sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The delay position closest to OFF
is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one. The highest
sensitivity setting, level ve, is closest to LO. 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:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.
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 rain
sensor. Doing this could cause the rain sensor
to malfunction.Windshield Washer
At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever, there is
a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer
uid 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, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Ice build up can block washer nozzles. Remove ice for
proper operation.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34for
more information.
3-10

Cruise Control
The switches that 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.{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
3-11

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
rst 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 is not covered.
The DRL system will make your low-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.
The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on.When it is dark enough outside, your low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on
with your headlamps will also turn on. When it is
bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
your low-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn off the headlamps and move the Twilight
Sentinel
®lever all the way toward OFF. The exterior
lamps will turn back on automatically when you move
the transaxle out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Cornering Lamps
If your vehicle has this feature, the cornering lamps
come on when the headlamps or parking lamps are on
and you signal a turn with the multifunction lever.
They provide more light for cornering.
3-15

Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at a
higher RPM setting than normal to make sure the
battery charges. High electrical loads may occur when
several of the following are on: headlamps, high beams,
rear window defogger, fan at high speed, heated
seats (if equipped) and engine cooling fans.
If your vehicle’s battery remains in a heavy discharge
condition for a long period of time, the fan, rear
defogger, heated seats and heated mirrors will be
disabled and the DIC will display BATTERY SAVER
ACTIVE. This can happen either under long periods of
idling or low speed driving with high electrical loading,
or in the event of a charging system fault.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, or garage
door opener. When the ignition is turned off, the power
to these features will automatically turn off after
10 minutes. Power will be restored for an additional
10 minutes if any door is opened, the trunk is opened or
the courtesy lamp switch is turned on.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If your vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD) feature,
you can see some of the driver information that
appears on your instrument panel cluster.
The information may be displayed in English or metric
units and appears as an image focused out toward
the front of your vehicle. The HUD consists of the
following information:
Speedometer Reading
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Headlamp Indicator
Check Gages Message
3-20

Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside of your vehicle. This
information is then used 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. This mode allows you to clear fog or
frost from your windshield.
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 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 (Rear Window Defogger):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:Using a razor blade or sharp object to clear
the inside rear window may damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not clear the inside of the rear
window with sharp objects.
3-26

Dual Automatic Climate
Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Press the AUTO button for
automatic control of the inside temperature, the air
delivery mode and the fan speed.
1. Press the AUTO button.2. Adjust the temperature to 75°F (24°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any
faster. If you set the system at the warmest
temperature setting, the system will remain in
manual mode at that temperature and it will not go
into automatic mode.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle
until warmer air is available. The system will
start out blowing air at the oor but may change
modes automatically as the vehicle warms up
to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed for warm up will depend on
the outside temperature and the length of time
that has elapsed since your vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take
from 10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature,
if necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.
3-27

Manual Operation
Pressing the FAN or AIR FLOW buttons cancels
automatic operation and places the system in
manual mode. Press the AUTO button to return to
automatic operation.
TEMP (Temperature):To manually adjust the
temperature inside the vehicle, push the TEMP arrow.
Push the TEMP up arrow for warmer temperature
settings and the TEMP down arrow for cooler
temperature settings. The setting will be shown on the
display. The display will return to the outside
temperature after a few seconds.
9FAN:Pressing the FAN button will display and hold
the current fan speed while in manual mode. If you
want the fan to run at a lower speed, push the down
arrow on the FAN button. If you want to increase the fan
speed, push the up arrow on the FAN button.
AIR FLOW:Pressing the AIR FLOW button will display
and hold the current setting while in manual mode.
Use the up and down arrows on the AIR FLOW button
to cycle through the available modes.
WINDSHIELD-FLOOR:This mode directs most of
the airow to the windshield with some airow to
the outboard outlets (for the side windows) and the
oor outlets.
MID:This mode directs airow through the
instrument panel outlets.
MID-FLOOR:This mode directs airow 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 airow 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
VENT off, press the VENT button again.
Selecting the VENT and AUTO buttons at the same
time allows the system to control the airow
automatically without using the air conditioning
compressor or the recirculation mode.
3-28

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 modes.
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.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 (Defrost):Press the FRONT button to
defrost the windshield by directing airow 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.
3-29

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
=REAR (Rear Window Defogger):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:Using a razor blade or sharp object to clear
the inside rear window may damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not clear the inside of the rear
window with sharp objects.
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 5°F (3°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.
3-30

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 airow.
Memory buttons 1 and 2 are located on the driver’s
door armrest 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
airow 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 3-27.2. Locate memory buttons 1 and 2 on the driver’s
door armrest.
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 conrm that your selection
has been saved and can now be recalled. For more
information on the memory feature, seeMemory
Seat and Mirrors on page 2-45.
Follow these steps each time you want to change the
stored settings.
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.
3-32