2005 BUICK LESABRE warning light

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-24.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transaxle uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-24

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery
tank,but be careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-28.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine as well
as an engine coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster.
5-26

So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. A chime will sound if you try
to drive with this warning light on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-38.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-24.Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-78.
5-36

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-23.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-37

Check Tire Pressure System
If your vehicle has the check tire pressure system, it
can alert you to a large change in the pressure of one
tire. The system will not alert you before you drive
that a tire is low or at. You must begin driving before
the system will work properly.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message will appear on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) if pressure
difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire. The
check tire pressure system may not alert you if:
More than one tire is low.
The vehicle is moving faster than
65 mph (105 km/h).
The system is not yet calibrated.
The tire treadwear is uneven.
The compact spare tire is installed.
Tire chains are being used.
The vehicle is being driven on a rough or
frozen road.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39.The check tire pressure system detects differences in
tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in
tire pressure. The system can alert you about a
low tire — but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTires on page 5-54.
When the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message appears
on the Driver Information Center, you should stop as
soon as you can and check all your tires for damage. If
a tire is at, seeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-69.
Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as
you can. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-60.
Any time you adjust a tire’s pressure or have one
or more tires repaired or replaced, you will need to reset
(calibrate) the check tire pressure system. You will
also need to reset the system whenever you rotate the
tires, buy new tires and install or remove the compact
spare tire.
Do not reset the check tire pressure system without rst
correcting the cause of the problem and checking
and adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset
the system when the tire pressures are incorrect,
the check tire pressure system will not work properly
and may not alert you when a tire is low or high.
5-62

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-66

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-88
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning......................................3-24, 3-27
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-47
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-53
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-56
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-53
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-54
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-52
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-50
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System...................3-84
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-85
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-39
Appearance Care............................................5-78
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-84
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-82
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-85
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-83
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-79
Finish Care.................................................5-83
Finish Damage............................................5-85Appearance Care (cont.)
Glass Surfaces............................................5-81
Instrument Panel.........................................5-81
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-81
Leather......................................................5-81
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-85
Tires..........................................................5-84
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-86
Vinyl..........................................................5-81
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-83
Ashtrays........................................................3-23
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-81
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-83
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-84
Care of Your CDs........................................3-84
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-85
Diversity Antenna System.............................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 Feature................................3-81
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-77
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-82
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-85
1

Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-25
B
Battery..........................................................5-38
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-17
Inadvertent Power Saver..............................3-20
Load Management.......................................3-20
Battery Warning Light......................................3-38
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-27
System Inspection.......................................6-23
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-48
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-50
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-49Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-53
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-65C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-96
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-31, 4-25, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-82
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-83
Your CD Player...........................................3-84
Your CDs ...................................................3-84
CD Changer, Trunk-Mounted............................3-77
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-43
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-20
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Tire Pressure System...................................5-62
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-85
2