2004 BUICK LESABRE steering wheel

Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. See
“Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out.”
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-72.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.
If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” following.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
4-31

Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
4-33

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle
is a good deal longer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
4-44

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-47
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming...........................5-49
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-50
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Headlamps..................................................5-52
Front Turn Signal Lamps...............................5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-54
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-55
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-57
Tires..............................................................5-58
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-65
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-66
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-68
Buying New Tires.........................................5-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-71
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger car tire size.
(A) P-Metric Tire:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The letter “P” as the
rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is “70,” as shown in item “C” of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
70% as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
“R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and the speed rating of a tire. The
load range represents the load carrying capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index can range from 1 to
279. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire
is certied to carry a load. Speed ratings range from
“A” to “Z”.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to its
width.
5-62

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
5-73

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-36
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-91
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-57, 3-65
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-36
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-47
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-53
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-56
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-53
What Will You See After an
Air Bag Inates?......................................1-54
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-51
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-50
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
AM ...............................................................3-79
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-81
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-82
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-38
Appearance Care............................................5-83
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-86Appearance Care (cont.)
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-89
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-84
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-87
Finish Damage............................................5-89
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-89
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-89
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-90
Weatherstrips..............................................5-87
Ashtrays........................................................3-23
Audio System(s).............................................3-55
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-78
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-80
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-81
Care of Your CDs........................................3-81
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-82
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-81
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 Feature................................3-78
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-73
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-79
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-82
Automatic Door Locks.....................................3-51
Automatic Level Control...................................4-39
Automatic Operation........................................3-27
1

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