2004 BUICK LESABRE wiper blades

Flash-To-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are off.
Pull the turn signal lever toward you briey to
ash-to-pass.
If the headlamps are off or on low beam, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam
indicator on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are controlled by turning the
band marked WIPER.
If your windshield wipers are on for more than six
seconds while you are driving, the low-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps will
turn on. For more information see “Wiper Activated
Headlamps” underExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
OFF:Turn the band to OFF to turn the wipers off.
MIST:For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST.
Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The
wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles,
hold the band on MIST longer.LO (Low Speed):Turn the band to LO for steady
wiping at a slow speed.
HI (High Speed):Turn the band to HI for steady wiping
at a high speed.
The wiper speed may be set for a long or short delay
between wipes. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To
avoid damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the
wiper blades before using them. If your blades do
become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Rainsense™ II Wipers
If your vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is
mounted on the interior of the windshield below the
rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the
wipers. This system operates by monitoring the
amount of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes
occur as needed to clear the windshield depending
on the driving conditions and the sensitivity setting. In
light rain or snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy
rain or snow, wipes will occur more frequently.
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The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and
traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road
and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank lled
with washer uid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can not, try to slow down before you
hit them.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-23

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper Blade
Check” underPart B: Owner Checks and Services on
page 6-17for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways.
To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following:
1. Lift the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield.
2. Push the tab on the wiper blade assembly and pull
the assembly down enough to release it from the
U-hooked end of the wiper arm. Slide the assembly
away from the arm.
3. Remove the blade.
4. To reinstall the wiper blade assembly, slide it over
the wiper arm to engage the U-hooked end on the
wiper blade assembly. Pull up on the assembly
to lock it into place.
For the proper windshield wiper blade replacement
length and type, seeNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 5-100.
5-57

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s nish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping
vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength windshield
washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels, but
avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off
immediately after application.
Do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
5-88

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer.
Part GM Part NumberACDelco®Part
Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 25096932 A1096C
Engine Oil Filter 25010792 PF-47
Fuel Filter 25121293 GF-627
Passenger Compartment Air Filter 25654414 —
Spark Plugs 12568387 41–101
Transaxle Filter 24206433 —
Windshield Wiper Blades 12463075 —
TypeShepherd’s Hook
Length22 inches (56.0 cm)
5-100

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
“Windshield Wiper and Wiper Blades” underCleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-87.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-23.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle uid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-21. A uid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, glove box
door and console door. Part D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
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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
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