2004 BUICK LESABRE check engine

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

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-27if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-19

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-20

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

Hitches..........................................................4-42
HomeLink®Transmitter....................................2-38
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-39
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-65
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-36
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-40
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-28
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-20Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.......................3-19
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-65
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-22
Engine Cooling System................................6-22
Exhaust System..........................................6-21
Fuel System...............................................6-22
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-21
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-21
Throttle System...........................................6-22
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-33
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-18
Key Reminder Warning....................................2-23
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
7

Oil
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-38
OnStar®Services............................................2-37
OnStar®System.............................................2-37
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-38
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outside
Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror..................2-36
Convex Mirror.............................................2-36
Curb View Assist Mirror................................2-36
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror........................3-54
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-12
P
Park(P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30Parking
Brake........................................................2-27
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-20
Parking on Hills..............................................4-45
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-17
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections..........6-21
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants..................................................6-23
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-24
Passenger Temperature Control........................3-30
Passing.................................................4-13, 4-44
PASS-Key
®III ................................................2-19
PASS-Key®III Operation..................................2-20
Perimeter Lighting...................................3-18, 3-53
Personal Choice Programming..........................2-11
Personal Choice Radio Controls........................3-77
Personalization, Climate Controls......................3-31
Personalization Features.................................... 2-6
Personalization Programming............................2-12
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-70
Playing a Compact Disc..................3-60, 3-71, 3-75
Playing the Radio...................................3-56, 3-63
10