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
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-37
HomeLinkžTransmitter...................................2-38
Programming the HomeLinkžTransmitter.........2-39
Storage Areas................................................2-42
Glove Box...................................................2-42
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-42
Convenience Net..........................................2-43Sunroof.........................................................2-43
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-44
Memory Seat and Mirrors..............................2-44
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to ®ve
different positions.
(A) ACCESSORY:This position lets you use your
electrical accessories such as power windows, power
sunroof (if equipped), radio and the windshield wipers.
To use, push in the ignition key and turn it toward
you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it
was before you inserted the key.
(B) LOCK:This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle. It's a theft-deterrent
feature.
Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key hard.
Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool
to force it could break the key or the ignition switch.
If none of these works, then your vehicle needs
service.
(C) OFF:This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the
steering wheel like LOCK and it doesn't send any
electrical power to the accessories. The instrument
panel cluster will remain powered in LOCK to illuminate
the gear shift indicator. The cluster will also activate
the parking brake light when the parking brake is
set. Use OFF if you must have your vehicle in motion
while the engine is not running.
(D) RUN:This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. This is
also the position for normal driving. Even when the
engine is not running, you can use RUN to operate your
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel warning lights.
(E) START:This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.
2-22
Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in OFF, you will hear a warning
chime when you open the driver's door.
Always leave your key in LOCK while the engine is off.
If you leave it in any other position, you will drain
your battery power.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have power to such accessories as the
power windows, audio steering wheel controls (if
equipped), clock, sunroof (if equipped) and the radio for
up to 10 minutes. The instrument panel cluster lights
will stay on for a few seconds, then will go out. Once you
open a door, the power will shut off.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key in
START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
brie¯y but then stops again, do the same thing.
This time keep the pedal down for ®ve or six
seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
2-23
Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops. For heavier loads, store
them in the trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie ¯at when
you're not using it.
Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with a sunroof. The
sunroof has both manual and express features
for opening the glass panel and sunshade.The switch for the sunroof
is located on the headliner
between the sun visors.
The sunroof switch has four positions that control the
sunroof movement.
The switch will work only when the ignition is on or
when the RAP is active. See ªRetained Accessory
Power (RAP)º under
Ignition Positions on page 2-22.
Open:Press and hold the switch rearward to the
®rst position to open the glass panel and sunshade. The
sunshade can also be opened manually.
Comfort Stop:Press and release the switch rearward
to the second position to express open the glass
panel to the comfort stop position. The comfort stop
position is designed to help reduce noise and make
passengers more comfortable.
2-43
Express Open:When the glass panel is express
opening, pressing the switch in any direction will stop it
in a partially-opened position. The glass panel may
be fully opened by pressing the switch rearward again.
If you press and hold the switch in the express open
position for more than one and a half seconds, the
express open operation will be overridden and
the sunroof will operate manually.
Close:To close the glass panel, press and hold the
switch forward. As the glass panel reaches the closed
position, it will open slightly toward the vent position and
then drop down to the closed position to provide a
better seal. The sunshade must be closed manually.
Vent:Once the sunroof is closed, it can be opened to
the vent position by pushing the switch upward. To
close the glass panel, pull the switch downward. The
sunshade must be opened and closed manually for vent
operation.Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat and Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, the controls are located
on the driver's door panel, and are used to program
and recall memory settings for the driver's seating,
outside mirror positions and climate controls. See
Climate Control System on page 3-24for more
information.
To save your seat and mirror positions into memory,
use the following procedure:
1. First identify the DRIVER # on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) by pressing the MEMORY button 1
or 2 or by pressing the unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
2-44
Diversity Antenna System
Your AM-FM antennas are located in the windshield and
rear window. Be sure that the inside surfaces of the
windshield and rear window are not scratched and that
the lines on the glass are not damaged. If the inside
surfaces are damaged, they could interfere with
radio reception. Also, for proper radio reception, the
antenna connectors at the top-center of the front
and rear windows need to be properly attached to the
posts on the glass.
Notice:Do not apply aftermarket glass tinting with
metallic ®lm. The metallic ®lm in some tinting
materials will interfere with or distort the incoming
radio reception. Any damage caused to your
backglass antenna due to metallic tinting materials
will not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the rear window with a razor blade
or anything else that is sharp. This may damage
the rear defogger grid and affect your radio's ability
to pick up stations clearly. The repairs wouldn't
be covered by your warranty.
If, when you turn on your rear window defogger, you
hear static on your radio station, it could mean that
a defogger grid line has been damaged. If this is true,
the grid line must be repaired.If you choose to add an aftermarket cellular telephone
to your vehicle, and the antenna needs to be attached to
the glass, be sure that you do not damage the grid
lines for the AM-FM antennas or place the cellular
telephone antenna over the grid lines.
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna
System (United States Only)
Your XMŸ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the
roof of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of
snow and ice build up for clear radio reception.
The performance of your XM system may be affected if
your sunroof is open.
Chime Level Adjustment
The volume level of the vehicle's chimes can be
controlled by the radio. To change the volume level,
press and hold pushbutton 6 with the ignition on and the
radio power off. The chime volume level will change
from the normal level to loud, and LOUD will be
displayed on the radio. To change back to the default or
normal setting, press and hold pushbutton 6 again.
The chime level will change from the loud level
to normal, and NORMAL will be displayed.
3-81
Seats (cont.)
Memory.....................................................2-44
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Securing a Child Restraint................................1-40
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-40
Rear Seat Position......................................1-41
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-43
Security Feedback....................................2-7, 3-52
Security Light.................................................3-44
Selecting the Right Schedule, Maintenance.......... 6-5
Sensors.................................................3-25, 3-29
Service Bulletins.............................................7-11
Service Engine Soon Light...............................3-40
Service Manuals.............................................7-10
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-40
Publications Ordering Information...................7-10
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-44
Setting Preset Stations............................3-57, 3-64
Setting the Time.............................................3-55
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..................3-57, 3-65
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-82
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Short Trip/City De®nition.................................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Intervals..................................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance................ 6-6
Skidding........................................................4-15
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-20
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-78
Speci®cations, Capacities.................................5-93
Speedometer..................................................3-35
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-19
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-23
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-12
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-21
Steering Tips..................................................4-10
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.......................3-31
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-78
Steering........................................................4-10
Storage Areas................................................2-42
Center Console Storage Area........................2-42
Convenience Net.........................................2-43
Glove Box..................................................2-42
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-74
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-75
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-30
Sun Visors.....................................................2-17
Sunroof.........................................................2-43
13