2003 BUICK LESABRE key

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
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
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. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer ¯uid until the
tank is full.
5-36

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
ªWindshield Wiper and Wiper Bladesº under
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-23.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle ¯uid level; add if needed. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-21. A ¯uid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, glove box
door and console door. Part D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-18

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-27if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-27if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don't start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-19

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
·The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
·The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
·To check the parking brake's holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
·To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ¯ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-20

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) 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. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
ž-IIII Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) 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, or equivalent).
Fuel Door,
Glove Box
Door, Console
Door and Rear
Compartment
Lid HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
6-23

K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-18
Key Reminder Warning....................................2-23
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps...........................................................3-14
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-17
Language Selection.........................................3-54
Lap Belt........................................................1-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-12, 1-21
LATCH System...............................................1-38
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-40
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-29
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-13
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-17
Light.............................................................3-36
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-38
Battery Warning..........................................3-37
Brake System Warning.................................3-37Light (cont.)
Cruise Control.............................................3-44
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-40
Oil Pressure...............................................3-43
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-36
Security.....................................................3-44
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-44
TCS Warning Light......................................3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-39
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks............................................................2-10
Central Door Unlocking System.....................2-10
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door........................................................... 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door................................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Long Trip/Highway De®nition.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-13
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Lumbar........................................................... 1-3
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
8

N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-94
O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil ................................................................5-13
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-38
OnStaržServices............................................2-37
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-37
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-38
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror........................3-54
Outside.........................................................2-36
Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror..................2-36
Convex Mirror.............................................2-36
Curb View Assist Mirror................................2-36
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-11
P
Park(P).........................................................2-28
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle Park (P)
Mechanism Check.......................................6-20
Parking on Hills..............................................4-41
Parking.........................................................2-27
Brake........................................................2-27
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-17
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-21
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-23
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-24
Passenger Temperature Control........................3-30
Passing.................................................4-13, 4-40
PASS-Key
žIII Operation..................................2-20
PASS-KeyžIII ................................................2-19
Perimeter Lighting...................................3-18, 3-53
Personal Choice Programming..........................2-11
Personal Choice Radio Controls........................3-77
10

Personalization, Climate Controls......................3-31
Personalization Features.................................... 2-6
Personalization Programming............................2-12
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-70
Playing a Compact Disc..................3-60, 3-71, 3-75
Playing the Radio...................................3-56, 3-63
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Power...........................................................3-22
Accessory Outlets........................................3-22
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-86
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
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..........................................................3-55Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-79
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-80
Care of Your CDs........................................3-80
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............................................3-77
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-73
Understanding Reception..............................3-78
RainsenseŸ II Wipers.....................................3-10
RDS Messages......................................3-59, 3-66
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-24
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..............................5-90
Rear Window Defogger............................3-26, 3-29
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with Compass.............................................2-33
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-32
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-5
Remote Trunk Release Lockout........................2-14
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-70
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-68
11