2004 BUICK LESABRE wheel

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on
the steering column.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-28. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-39.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
while the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into
the gear you want. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on
page 2-30.
2-25

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine racing may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not racing when shifting
your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and
you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
When going down a steep hill.
2-26

SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift
into rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
This vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake pedal. To set
the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal
down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with your
left foot.
If the ignition is in RUN or OFF, the brake system
warning light will turn on while the parking brake is set.
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down and push the parking brake pedal with your
left foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking brake
pedal will follow it to the released position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, after about
20 feet (6.1 m) a chime will sound continuously until
you release the parking brake. Also, the brake light will
stay on until the parking brake is released.
2-27

Luxury and Leisure Plan

All Directions and Connections Plan services
Personal Concierge
OnStar®Personal Calling
With OnStar®Personal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It’s a hands-free wireless
phone that’s integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts and no additional roaming charges. To nd out
more about OnStar
®Personal Calling, refer to the
OnStar®owner’s guide in your vehicle’s glove box, or
call OnStar®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
With OnStar®Virtual Advisor you can listen to your
favorite news, entertainment and information topics,
such as traffic and weather reports, stock quotes
and sports scores. You listen to your e-mail through
your vehicle’s speakers, and reply with your hands on
the wheel and your eyes on the road.
HomeLink®Transmitter
HomeLink®, a combined universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way to replace up to three
hand-held transmitters used to activate devices such as
gate operators, garage door openers, entry door
locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional
HomeLink
®information can be found on the internet at
www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.
2-38

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-20
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-22
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Climate Control System.................................3-24
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-26
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.....................3-31
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-31
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-32
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-36
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-36
Battery Warning Light....................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-37
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-38
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Security Light...............................................3-44
Cruise Control Light......................................3-44
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-49
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-50
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Audio System(s).............................................3-55
Setting the Time...........................................3-55
Radio with CD..............................................3-56
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-62
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer...........................3-73
Personal Choice Radio Controls......................3-77
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-78
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-78Understanding Radio Reception......................3-79
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-80
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-81
Care of Your CD Player................................3-81
Diversity Antenna System..............................3-81
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(48 Contiguous US States).........................3-82
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-82
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeDIC Controls and Displays on
page 3-46.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). SeeSteering
Wheel Climate Controls on page 3-31andAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-78.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-33.
G. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.H. Exterior Lamp Buttons. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
I. Head-Up Display (HUD) Controls (If Equipped). See
Head-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-20.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27.
L. Cruise Controls. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
M. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-55.
N. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-24orDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-26.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-42.
3-5

Horn
Press the center area of the steering wheel to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can also raise it to the highest
level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the
wheel to a comfortable
position and release
the lever to lock the wheel
in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Flash-To-Pass
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
For more information on exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-14.
3-7