2005 BUICK LESABRE Owner's Manual

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-521-7300, or write:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair
service procedures, adjustments, and specications for
GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-11

Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-12

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

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-34
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-45
Top Strap...................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-37
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-85
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-23
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-84
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-83
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-79
Finish Care.................................................5-83
Glass Surfaces............................................5-81
Instrument Panel.........................................5-81
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-81
Leather......................................................5-81
Tires..........................................................5-84
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85Cleaning (cont.)
Vinyl..........................................................5-81
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-83
Climate Control System...................................3-24
Climate Controls Personalization....................3-32
Dual Automatic............................................3-27
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-31
Steering Wheel Controls...............................3-31
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-25
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-78
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-43
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-41
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cornering Lamps............................................3-15
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-45
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
3

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-18
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
Diversity Antenna System.................................3-84
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Central Door Unlocking System.....................2-11
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door Ajar Reminder.....................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-13Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-47
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-47
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-51
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-30
Winter........................................................4-25
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-27
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-88
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-88
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-88
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-91
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-38
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
4

Engine (cont.)
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-41
Cooling System Inspection............................6-23
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-23
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finish Damage...............................................5-85
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-77
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34Fluid (cont.)
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-19
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
System Inspection.......................................6-23
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-88
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-91G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-41
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-38
5

Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-43
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-45
Horizontal Aiming.........................................5-46
Vertical Aiming............................................5-47
Headlamps....................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-48
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-15
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-50
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Wiper Activated...........................................3-14
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-20
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-24
Heater...........................................................3-27Highbeam On Light.........................................3-45
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-38
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-39
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.......................3-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
Ination -- Tire Pressure..................................5-60
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-23
Engine Cooling System................................6-23
Exhaust System..........................................6-22
Fuel System...............................................6-23
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-22
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-22
Throttle System...........................................6-23
6