2004 BUICK LESABRE check oil

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toPart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-23for more information.
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 2.2 lbs 1.0 kg
Automatic Transaxle 7.4 quarts 7.0 L
Engine Cooling System 10.0 quarts 9.5 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.5 quarts 4.3 L
Fuel Tank 18.5 gallons 70.0 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb-ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap
3.8L V6 K Automatic 0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
5-99

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended uids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
uid levels or the wrong tire ination can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
rst). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic
Transaxle Service (normal conditions.)
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-17
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-21.
6-6

Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
*If your vehicle has the GM Oil Life System, a computer
system lets you know when to change the oil and
lter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to
work properly, you must reset the system every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil on
page 5-13for information on resetting the system.
Whenever the tires are rotated, the Check Tire Pressure
System (if equipped) must be reset.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-22.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-67for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
6-7

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-17
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-21.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
*If your vehicle has the GM Oil Life System, a computer
system lets you know when to change the engine oil
and lter. This is based on engine revolutions and
engine temperature, and not on mileage.Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil
change will be indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that,
if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil
life system may not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. It is also important
to check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil on
page 5-13 for information on resetting the system.
Whenever the tires are rotated, the Check Tire Pressure
System (if equipped) must be reset.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-22.
6-13

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-23for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-36for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inated to the correct pressures. Don’t forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-58for further
details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-55for further details.
6-17

Check
Engine Light...............................................3-40
Tire Pressure System...................................5-66
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-56
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-89
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-39
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-44
Top Strap...................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-38
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-82
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-84
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-87Cleaning (cont.)
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-89
Weatherstrips..............................................5-87
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-87
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-84
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-86
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-86
Cleaning Leather............................................5-86
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-86
Cleaning Tires................................................5-89
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-85
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-88
Climate Control System...................................3-24
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-31
Dual Automatic............................................3-26
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Steering Wheel Controls...............................3-31
Compact Disc Errors.......................................3-77
Compact Disc Messages..........................3-62, 3-73
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-83
Compass Calibration.......................................2-34
Compass Operation.........................................2-34
Compass Variance..........................................2-34
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-42
3

Driving (cont.)
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-25
Driving On Grades..........................................4-45
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-26
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-43
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-26
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-92
Removing the Rear Seat Cushion..................5-95
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-15
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-42
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Cooling System Inspection............................6-22
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12Engine (cont.)
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-23
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-92
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-17
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-46
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-17
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-41
Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
Exterior Lights................................................3-53
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a PTY Station.....................................3-59
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XM™).............3-66
Finding a Station....................................3-56, 3-64
Finish Care....................................................5-87
Finish Damage...............................................5-89
Flash-To-Pass.................................................. 3-9
5