instrument panel BUICK LESABRE 2005 Owner's Guide

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

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 briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are 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 is 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 are a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-47.
The volume of your vehicle’s warning chimes can be
adjusted. For information seeChime Level Adjustment
on page 3-85.
Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you
know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll
know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re
using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely
and economically.
3-33

Your vehicle is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which includes indicator warning lights and
gages that are explained on the following pages.
Standard Cluster (United States version shown, Canada similar)
3-34

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows airbag. The system checks
the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensors, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System on page 1-47.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system
is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-37

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has the
standard instrument panel
cluster, this light will
come on if there is a
problem with your vehicle’s
engine oil pressure.
If your vehicle has the optional gage cluster, you can
read your oil pressure directly from the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-47.
The oil pressure light will come on briey when you turn
your key to RUN. That’s just a check to be sure the
light works. This is normal and doesn’t show a problem.
If it doesn’t come on and then go off, be sure to have
it xed so it will be there to warn you if there is
a problem.
When this lightcomeson andstayson, and a chime
sounds, it means oil isn’t going through the engine
properly. The oil could be low, or there might be some
other oil problem. See your dealer for service.
3-44

Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle
is a good deal longer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they are all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
4-42

If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-69
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-70
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-71
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-72
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-77
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-78
Appearance Care............................................5-78
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-79
Vinyl...........................................................5-81
Leather.......................................................5-81
Instrument Panel..........................................5-81
Interior Plastic Components............................5-81
Glass Surfaces.............................................5-81
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-82
Weatherstrips...............................................5-82
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-82
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-83
Finish Care..................................................5-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-83Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................5-84
Tires...........................................................5-84
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-85
Finish Damage.............................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-85
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-86
Vehicle Identication......................................5-87
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-87
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-87
Electrical System............................................5-88
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-88
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-88
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-88
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................5-89
Rear Underseat Fuse Block...........................5-91
Capacities and Specications..........................5-96
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........5-97
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery
tank,but be careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-28.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine as well
as an engine coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster.
5-26

Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. This
may have to be done more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt, and shoe polish will stain if
they are not removed quickly. Use a clean cloth
and vinyl cleaner. See your dealer for this product.
Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let
the leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish, or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt is allowed to work into the nish,
it can harm the leather.
Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones
or waxes may cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth
or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface nish.
Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a
liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust lms on interior glass. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-86.
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when cleaning
glass surfaces on your vehicle, you could scratch
the glass and/or cause damage to the rear window
defogger and the integrated radio antenna. When
cleaning the glass on your vehicle, use only a soft
cloth and glass cleaner.
5-81

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.
5-87