Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-54
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-37
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-38
Storage Areas
.........................................2-42
Sunroof
..................................................2-43
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-32
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-45
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-55Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-57
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-77
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-85
Electrical System
......................................5-85
Capacities and Speci®cations
.....................5-93
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-94
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
Index.................................................................1
2003 Buick LeSabre Owner ManualM
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it's more
likely that the fetus won't be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.
Right Front Passenger Position
To learn how to wear the right front passenger's safety
belt properly, seeDriver Position on page 1-12.
The right front passenger's safety belt works the same
way as the driver's safety belt ± except for one thing.
If you ever pull the lap portion of the belt out all the way,
you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If
this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and
start again.
If your vehicle has a center passenger position, be sure
to use the correct buckle when buckling your
lap-shoulder belt. If you ®nd that the latch plate will not
go fully into the buckle, see if you are using the
buckle for the center passenger position.
Center Front Passenger Position
Lap Belt
If your vehicle has a front bench seat, someone can sit
in the center position.
1-19
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual,
see
Service Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-10.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in¯ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in¯ates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali®ed to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, 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.
1-54
Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-9
Door Locks....................................................2-9
Central Door Unlocking System......................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Door Ajar Reminder......................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks...............................................2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
žIII ..............................................2-19
PASS-KeyžIII Operation...............................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-25
Parking Brake..............................................2-27
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-30
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31
Engine Exhaust............................................2-31
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked...............................................2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass...........................................2-33
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-35
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror.....................2-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
Outside Automatic Dimming
Heated Mirror...........................................2-36
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with
children.
2-3
There is a master key that
works in all of the lock
cylinders (driver's
door, trunk, ignition, and
glove box).
There is also a VALET key
which only operates the
driver's door and the
ignition.Your vehicle has the PASS-KeyžIII vehicle theft
system. Both the master and VALET key have a
transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in
the vehicle's steering column. If a replacement key
or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this
key from your dealer. The key will have PK3
žstamped
on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the
original keys. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a
new key made.
Any new PASS-Key
žIII key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. SeePASS-KeyžIII on
page 2-19for more information on programming
your new key.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar
žSystem
with an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar
žmay be able to send a command
to unlock your vehicle. SeeOnStaržSystem on
page 2-37for more information.
Notice:Your vehicle has a number of features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
spare keys.
2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
·Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
·Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
·Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See ªBattery Replacementº under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5.
·If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali®ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
With this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors or
unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30
feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
2-5
If your vehicle is equipped with the DIC, the numbers on
the back of your transmitter correspond to DRIVER #1
and DRIVER #2 on the DIC. For more information
see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
W(Unlock):When this
button is pressed, the
driver's door will unlock
and the exterior lights will
¯ash twice.
If the unlock button is pressed again within ®ve seconds,
all doors will unlock, the exterior lamps will ¯ash twice
and the horn may sound. See ªSecurity Feedbackº later
in this section for more information.
Pressing the unlock button will also illuminate the
interior lamps. See ªEntry Lightingº under
Interior Lamps
on page 3-17.
Q(Lock):When this button is pressed, all doors will
lock, the exterior lamps will ¯ash once and the horn
may sound.
V(Trunk):The trunk will unlock if this button is
pressed when the ignition is in OFF. It will also
work when the ignition is on, but only while the transaxle
is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
L(Instant Alarm):When this button is pressed, the
horn will sound and the headlamps and taillamps
will ¯ash for up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by
pressing the instant alarm button again or by turning
the ignition on. If your vehicle is equipped with the
content theft-deterrent feature, you may also turn off the
instant alarm by unlocking the vehicle with a key.
Personalization Features
The following list of features, if available on your
vehicle, can be programmed to each driver's preference.
·Automatic Door Locks:This feature programs
your door locks to automatically lock or unlock
when shifting in and out of PARK (P).
·Security Feedback:This feature provides feedback
to the driver when the vehicle receives a command
from the remote keyless entry transmitter.
2-6