2005 BUICK LESABRE radiator

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
it rst stops. Do not press down while turning the
pressure cap.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
3. Remove the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield
to access the bleed valve.3.1. Clean the area around the engine oil ll tube
and cap before removing. Twist the oil ll
tube, with cap attached, counterclockwise
and remove it.
3.2. If you have the supercharged engine,
remove the nut in the center of the
cover shield.
3.3. Lift the engine cover shield at the front, slide
the catch tab out of the engine bracket and
remove the cover shield.
3.4. Put the oil ll tube, with cap attached, in the
valve cover oil ll hole until you are ready to
replace the cover shield.
5-31

4. After the engine cools,
open the coolant air
bleed valve. There
is one bleed valve. It is
located on the
thermostat housing.
5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant
mixture, up to the base of the ller neck. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-24for more information
about the proper coolant mixture.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air
bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close
the valve after the radiator is lled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5-32

7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
7.1. Remove the oil ll tube, with cap attached,
from the valve cover.
7.2. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield
under the bracket on the engine.
7.3. Place the hole in the cover shield over the
hole in the valve cover. Install oil ll tube and
cap by twisting clockwise.
7.4. If you have the supercharged engine, install
the nut in the center of the cover shield.
8. Then ll the coolant
recovery tank to the
FULL COLD mark.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the ller
neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the arrow
on the pressure cap lines up properly.
5-33

150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
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 6-18
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-22.
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. See Engine Oil
on page 5-13.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.
6-13

82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-63for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-63for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-63for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission
Control Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
❑If you have not used your vehicle under severe
service conditions listed previously and, therefore,
have not changed your automatic transaxle uid,
change both the uid and lter
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-17

Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-23

Power (cont.)
Electrical System.........................................5-88
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-20
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Reclining Seatback........................................ 1-6
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-23
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-34
Windows....................................................2-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-12
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-39
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-12
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-26
Radios..........................................................3-56
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-83
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-84
Care of Your CDs........................................3-84
Personal Choice Radio Controls....................3-80
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-65
Radio with CD............................................3-57
Setting the Time..........................................3-57
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-81Radios (cont.)
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-77
Understanding Reception..............................3-82
Rainsense™ II Wipers....................................... 3-9
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-32
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass....................................................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-32
Reclining Seatback, Power................................. 1-6
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-6
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-72
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-71
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-53
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-56
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-57
10