Buick LESABRE 1997 Owner's Manual

How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you do this, it will

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to go to a higher speed: Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.

Using Cruise Control on Hills How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills. When goi

Lamps On Reminder If you leave the manual headlamp or parking lamp switch on, remove the key from the ignition and open the driver’s door, you will h

Twi 2ht Ser Twilight sentinel turns your lamps on and off by sensing how dark it is outside. The exterior lamps can be completely shut off while th

Interior Lamps Courtesy Lamps When any door is opened, several lamps go on. They make it easy for you to enter and leave the vehicle. You can also

Illuminated Entry (If Equipped) Press the UNLOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry transmitter (if equipped) and the interior courtesy lamps will t

Front Reading Lamps (If Equipped) Rear Reading Lamps (If Equipped) Front seat reading lamps are turned on or off by pressing The lamp, switch and

Battery Rundown Protection This feature turns off the courtesy, reading, trunk, glove box and visor vanity mirror lamps, if any are left on for more

Day/Night Manual Rearview Mirror With Integral Reading Lamps (If Equipped) When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust th

At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will Manual Remote Control Mirror gradually darken to reduce glare (this change may take a fe

Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices: I NOTICE: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. In th

Power Remote Control Mirrors (If Equipped) k If your Buick has the outside power remote mirrors, the control is located on the driver’s door. Move

-1 Center Console CupholdedCoinholder A convex mirror can make things (like other vehicles) look farther away than they really are. If you cut t

Convenience Net (If Equipped) Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it just inside the back wall of the trunk. Put small loads, like

Sun Visors Dual Sun Visors Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (If Equipped) Each sun visor has two parts, so that both the windshield and doo

Instrument Panel 2-54

1. Air Outlet 2. Instrument Panel Intensity Control 3. Twilight Sentinel 4. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever 5. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever ti. Instrum

Instrument Panel Clusters Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fa

0 0 0 On0 000 8 0 8 l8 I Gage Cluster 2-57

Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer shows ho

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate

Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. For example. these symbols are used on an original battery: POSSIBLE A

Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag’s electrical

Battery System Warning Light VOLT When you turn the key to RUN, this light will turn on briefly, to show that your generator and battery charging sys

Brake System Warning Light Your Buick’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work an

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light With the anti-lock brake system, the light(s) will come on when you start your engine and may stay on for sev

Traction Control System Warning Light (Option) I TRACTION OFF This warning light should come on briefly as you start the engine. If the warning l

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light TEMP This light will tell you that your engine coolant has overheated or your radiator cooling fans a

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) CHECK Your Buick is equipped with a comphter which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emiss

If the Light Is Flashing The following may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle: Reducing vehicle speed. 0 Avoiding hard accelerations. 0 Avo

Oil Pressure Light/Gage e3 OIL Standard Cluster Gage Cluster One of these lights will tell you that there could be a problem with your engine oil pr

Check Oil Level Light (If Equipped) The CHECK OIL LEVEL light turns on for three seconds as a bulb check each time the ignition key is CHECK turn

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Buick and how to use your safety belts properly. You ca

When to change your oil depends on driving habits and conditions because these directly affect engine speed, coolant temperature and vehicle speed. Be

Fuel Gage 0 W o\\‘ \ E Standard Cluster Gage Cluster Your fuel gage shows about how much fue.1 is in your tank. It works only when the engine is on.

b NOTES 2-72

(@ Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with yo

CC kt Controls Fan tton This section describes how to operate your climate control system. Your climate control system uses ozone-friendly R- 134a r

VENT This setting directs outside air through the middle instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor is not working when VENT is selec

Temperature Button If the display is flashing after the climate control system is started, there is a problem with the system and you should see you

Automatic Operation Manual Operation Press the AUTO button when you want the system to automatically adjust to changes in the temperature inside the

OFF: If the passenger comfort control is turned on, it can be turned off by pressing the OFF button once. Pressing the OFF button a second time will

Air Conditioning On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your vehicle to cool

Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them -- and also about reclining seatbacks and head restraints. Manu

Heating If your vehicle has the electronic touch system, on cold days, use HTR with the TEMPERATURE lever toward WARM. If your vehicle has the Dual

If you have the rear passenger comfortemp option, you can adjust the direction of the airflow to the rear seating area. Ventilation Tips 0 Kee

To reduce the chance of fogging your windows in cold weather, using the electronic touch system, select HTR to supply air through the floor outlets.

Passenger Control If you have the Dual Automatic Comfortemp system, the front seat -- I passenger can control the The temperature can be se

Audio Systems Your DelcoB audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the most enjoyment out o

RECALL: Press the upper knob briefly to recall the station being played or to display the clock. To change what is normally shown on the display (st

Setting the Tone BASS: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to increase 01' decrease bass. TREB: Press this knob lightly so it ex

RECALL: Press the upper knob briefly to recall the station being played or to display the clock. To change what is normally shown on the display (stat

Setting the Tone BASS: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to increase or decrease bass. TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extend

PREV (1): Press this button to search for the previous selection on the tape. Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each sele

Power Seat (If Equipped) The power seat controls are on the armrest. Front Control: Raise the front of the seat by pushing the left side of the swi

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control Playing the Radio VOLUME: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. To incre

PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FM I and six FM2).

Adjusting the Speakers Your tape bias is set automatically. BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound to the left

NEXT (2): Press this button to search for the next selection on the tape. Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selectio

AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Automatic Tone Control Playing the Radio VOLUME: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. To increa

PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FMl and six FM2). Ju

Adjusting the Speakers 0 E20: It is dirty, scratched or wet. BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn this knob to move the sound to the le,ft

RAND (6): Press this button to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. Press RAND again to turn off random play. RECALL: Press this

RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station being played or to display the clock. To change what is normally shown on the display (sta

AUTO SET Press this button and the system will seek and set the 12 strongest FM or the 6 strongest AM stations on your preset buttons. AUTO SET will

Reclining Front Seatbacks To adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outer side of the seat and move the seatback to where you want it. Release t

If you want to insert a tape when the ignition or radio is off, first press EJECT or RECALL. Your tape bias is set automatically. If E and a number a

EJECT: The system has two EJECT buttons. Press the button near the CD slot to remove a disc. Press the button near the tape slot to remove a tape

NEXT (2): Press this button to go to the next track. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving forward thro

Theft-Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCK TM is designed to discourage theft of your radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions w

Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1. LOC a

Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain radio functions using the buttons on your steering w

Understanding Radio Reception FM Stt?m;.eo FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles ( 16 to 65 km).

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape playcr that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged mechani

Heated Backlite Antenna Your AM-FM antenna is integrated with your rear window defogger, into your rear window. Be sure that the inside surface of the

b%) NOTES 3-37

CAUTION: (Continuea) up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job beca

&azo NOTES 3-38

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’

Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Buic

mken Driving ueath and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll,

It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour

The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be

~ Braking Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can pr

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic.

r ~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ -~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~ The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too c

CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are

The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you s

Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped

Off-Road Recovery Passing You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. I

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area

Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t hav

Driving at Night ... .. . -. ... Here are some tips on night driving. I 0 Drive defensively. 0 Don’t drink and drive. 0 Adjust your inside re

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because you

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brak

I Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat on wheels. Put someone on it. 1-7

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the r

City Driving Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: 0 Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan

Freeway Driving Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it high

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Winter Driving Here are some tips for winter driving: 0 Have your Buick in good shape for winter. 0 You may want to put winter emergency supplies

Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice bet

Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking sys

If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a serious situation. You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that yo

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn't stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it cou

n Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the

Loading Your Vehicle :" TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION . OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT. FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS

A CAUT’UN: - Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle c

Electronic Level Control (If Equipped) This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level as the load changes. It is automatic -- you do not need to

That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety a

Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg). But even that can be too heavy. It de

If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a weight-d

Safety Chains Driving with a Trailer You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the ton

Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farthe

Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you might have t

or the instrument panel . . . or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop

fi NOTES 4-40

(@ Section 5 Problems on the Road Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road. 5-2 Hazard Warning Flashers 5-3 Other W

Hazard Warning Flashers Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police know you have a problem. Your front and rear turn

Other Warning Devices If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle. Jump

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a gr

Ll A CAUTION: Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blin

7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the veh

9. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery’s negative (-) terminal. Don’t let the other end touch anything until the ne

13. Remove the cables in reverse order. Take care that they don’t touch each other or any other metal. A. Heavy Metal Engine Part B. Good Battery C.

’ A CAUTION: Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds. Never tow with damaged parts no

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m w

Front Towing Attach T-hook chains on both sides in the slotted holes in the bottom of the cradle, behind the front wheels. - Position a 4” x 4

L Attach a separate safety chain around the outboard end of each control arm. Attach T-hook chains to slots in the bottom of the floor pan directly a

J Position the lower sling crossbar directly behind and at the lower edge of the rear bumper cover. Attach a separate safety chain around the outboard

Engine Overheating You will find a coolant light or a warning light about a hot engine on your Buick’s instrument panel. If you have the optional g

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes th

When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what you’ll see: A. Coolant Recovery Tank B. Radiator Pressure Cap C. Electric Engine Fans An ele

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, wa

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50

I 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 ho

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator 2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap. 1. You can r

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about s

3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck. 4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL

6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine fans. 7. By this time, the cool

? -1 Ti:e Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire HIS unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. I

4 A The equipment you’ll need is in the trunk. Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk. Turn the center retainer bolt on the spare tire cover c

Removing Wheel Covers and Wheel Nut Caps The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and wheel wrench (B). If your vehicle has an aluminum wheel wi

If your vehicle has a wheel cover, remove it by using the flat end of the wheel wrench. Pry along the edge of the wheel cover until it comes

Use the wire wheel key wrench to remove the wheel cover. Using the flat end of the key wrench handle, between the wire wheel cover and the center

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 1. Use the wheel wrench to loosen the wheel nuts, but don’t remove them. 2. Attach the wheel

4. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits firmly on the ridge in the vehicle’s frame nearest the flat tire. Do not raise the vehic

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong

5. Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench clockwise in the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough so there’s enough room for the spare tire

' A CAUTION: 9. Make sure each wheel stud is centered in each wheel hole while tightening the nuts. Tighten each nut by hand unti

11. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a criss-cross sequence. Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to bec

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools Store the flat tire as far forward in the trunk as possible. Store the jack and wheel wrench in their bo

Storing the SDare Tire and Tools Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a

Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pr

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels too fast. The method known

NOTES 5-37

k% NOTES 5-38

1 Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Here you will find information about the care of your Buick. This section begins with service and

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you. To move it down, sq

Service Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to Your Buick dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hop

Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can affect the airflow around it. This may cause

Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (M

Filling Your Tank The cap is behind a hinged door on the driver’s side of your vehicle. I A CAUTION: I Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns

Because cap will - -- I a CAUTION: If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline can spra

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right (clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure you fully install the cap. The diagn

Hood Release To open the hood, first pull the hood release handle inside the vehicle. It is next to the parking brake pedal near the floor. Then go to

3800 Series I1 Engine (L36 - Code K) When you open the hood, you’ll see: A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank B. Battery C. Radiator Pressure Cap D

Engine Oil CHECK OIL LEVEL If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light on the instrument panel comes on, it means you need to check your engine oil level

I I When to Add Oil If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the rig

@ What's wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won't give nearly as much protection this way. A CAUTION: You can be

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPE

Engine Oil Additives Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is ready to advise if you think something should be added. When to Change Engin

Air Cleaner The air cleaner and filter are on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. 1. Remove the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) cover that

3. Remove the air intake hose that is snapped over the throttle body by pulling the hose upward and away from the throttle body which is

I ~~ ~ ~~~~ Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the a

How to Check Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at your Buick dealership Service Department. If you

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps: 1. The transaxle fluid dipstick top is a round loop and is next to the brake master c

How to Add Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in

L ~ NOTICE: When adding coolant, it is important that you use only DEX-COOL’ (silicate-free) coolant. If coolant other than DEX-COOL’ is added to

NOTICE: If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your war

@ What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. A CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong p

Adding Coolant If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be careful not to spill it. I Tu

Thermostat Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the flow of coolant throug

Windshield Washer Fluid What to Use When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be

Brakes Brake Fluid Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. There are only two reasons why the brake flu

What to Add When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a

Brake Wev Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warni

Brake Pedal Travel Battery Every new Buick has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time for a new bat

Bulb Replacement For the bulb types to be used in the following procedures, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index. Halogen Bulbs Headlamps This p

2. Slide the headlamp outboard until the pins are loose. 3. Remove the headlamp assembly to access the bulbs. 4. Rotate the bulb retainer counter

5. fill the tabs away from the bulb base to remove bulb from the retainer. the 6. 7. Push the new bulb straight onto the retainer. Reverse these

e.' What's wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. You can be se

Front Turn Signal The front turn signal bulbs can be accessed from under the front of the vehicle. Reach up from under the vehicle and, while pushi

2. Pull out the assembly. 3. Push in the tab and turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove it. 6-33

4. Remove the old bulb by pulling it straight out. 5. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the new bulb assembly. 6-34

Rear Turn Signals 1. Open the trunk. Pull the carpet away from the rear area to access the turn signal bulb assembly. 2. Turn the bulb socket o

2. Locate the headlamp aiming screw that is under the hood. 3. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the bubble inside the level is centered

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires I Replacement blades come in different types and are removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the

0 0 0 Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires. The resulting accident could cause serious injury. Check all tires

When to Check Check your tires once a month or more. Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at 60 psi (420 kPa). How to Check Use a

A CAUTION: , Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose after a time. The wheel could co

Q.’ What’s wrong with this? I J A: The belt is twisted across the body. You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn

Buying New Tires To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at the Tire-Loading Information label. The tires installed on your vehicle w

Uniform Tire Quality Grading The following information relates to the system developed by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administ

Temperature -- A, B, The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its abili

Used Replacement Wheels Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect

Tire Chains I NOTICE: Use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper size fo

Cleaning the Inside of Your Buick Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth. Y

Special Cleaning Problems Greasy or Oily Stains Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosm

Cleaning Leather Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the leather dry n

Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer, or if the wiper blade cha

Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Buick by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. You can get GM-app

(@ The 1997 Buick LeSabre Owner’s Manual 1-1 2-1 3- 1 4- 1 5-1 6-1 7- 1 8- 1 9- 1 Seats and Restraint Systems This section tells you how to use your

.. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is

Cleaning Tires To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner. NOTICE: When applying a tire dressing always take care to wipe off an

I. PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 6-53

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) I1.11 111 111111 11. 111111 11 111111111111 111.11111 11- @ * ““LE4UXVM072675 ENGINE A97 7 \ ASSEMBLY CODE MODEL

Electrical System Add-on Electrical Equipment NOTICE: Don’t add anything electrical to your Buick unless you check with your dealer first. Some el

Maxifuse/Relay Center To check the fuses in this underhood fuse center, turn the two knobs one-quarter turn counterclockwise and loosen the metal win

The driver’s side fuse block is to the left of the steering wheel, under the instrument panel. Snap off the cover to reveal the fuses. You’ll find a

1 2 4 1 5 6 8 9 1 Fuse 1 2 3 4 5 1A 2A 3A 4A SA 6A 7A 8A 9A 1B 2B 3B 4B Usage Not Used Not Used Power Seats Circuit Breaker Not Used Not Used PASS-Ke

Fuse SB 6B 7B 8B 9B 1c 2c 3C 4c sc 6C 7c 8C 9c 1D 2D 3D 4D SD Usage Anti-Lock Brake System, Computer Command Control Brake and Hazard Lamps Not Use

no 0017 r---------l I FUSE I I POSITIONS I I I I I I I Fuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Usage Door Locks Trunk Release, RAC Horns Not Used Miscellaneo

Replacement Bulbs Front Outside Lamps Bulb Cornering Lamps ... 3 156 Halogen Headlamps Low-Beam ... 9

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a

Air Conditioning Refrigerants Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs refrigeran

L36 Engine AccesSQry Belt B F c The L36 engine uses an engine accessory belt. This diagram shows the features connected and the routing. See “Mainte

& NOTES 6-64

I @ Section 7 Maintenance Schedule This section covers the maintenance required for your Buick. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its saf

I IMPORTANT: KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER LEVEL AND CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED Introduction Your Vehicle and the Environment Proper vehicle maintenance

How This Section is Organized The remainder of this section is divided into five parts: “Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows what to h

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services Using Your Maintenance Schedule We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle in good wor

Maintenance Schedule I Short Trip/City Definition I Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any one of these conditions is true for your

Maintenance Schedule 1 Long: Trip/Highwav Definition Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the conditions from the Short Trip/City Maint

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (. 166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles (

Air bags inflate with at force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, it could seriously injure y

I Shurt Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emiss

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 9,000 Miles (15 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emissi

I Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule I 15,000 Miles (25 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). AI?

1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 21,000 Miles (35 000 km) [I3 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 27,000 Miles (45 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emi

I 1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage. Replace parts

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 36.000 Miles (60 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emi

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 42,000 Miles (70 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emis

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 48,000 Miles (80 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emi

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 51,000 Miles (85 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emissi

How the Air Bag System Works Where are the air bags? The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The right front passenger’s air b

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 57,000 Miles (95 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emissi

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage. Replace par

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 66,000 Miles (110 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Em

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 72,000 Miles (120 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 78,000 Miles (130 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 84,000 Miles (140 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

90,000 Miles (150 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 93,000 Miles (155 000 km) Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 99,000 Miles (145 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emis

1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I - In hilly or mountainous terrain. - When doing frequent trailer towing. - Uses such as found in taxi, pol

I A CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag may not inflate properly or it might force the object into that pers

Long Trip/Hie;hway Maintenance Schedule The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be performed after 100

I T long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule /,500 Miles (12 500 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

I Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedule 1 22,500 Miles (37 500 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). AI

Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 0 Replace air cleaner filter. An E?nission Contr-01 Senice. 0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage or

Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedule I m m 45,000 Miles (75 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs

I Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedul’e I 52,500 Miles (87 500 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

1 Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) (Continued) 0 Replace air cleaner filter. An Emission Control Service. Cl Insp

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I 75,000 Miles (125 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 90,000 Miles (150 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 1 97,500 Miles (162 500 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering whe

b I I Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedule I 100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km) (Continued) - In hilly or mountainous terrain. - When doing frequent

Part B: Owner Checks and Services Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure

At Least Twice a Year At Least Once a Year Restraint System Check Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plat

Starter Switch Check Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check When you are doing this check, the vehicle could injured. Follow the steps below.

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

Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for instance

~~ ~ Brake System Inspection Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. I

Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from

USAGE FLUIDLUBRICANT Chassis Chassis lubricant (GM Part Lubrication No. 12377985 or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI # 2, Categ

Part E: Maintenance Record After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer- reading and who performed the service in the box

0 Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag system. Improper service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer

Maintenance Record I ODOMETER I DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-48

Maintenance Record ODOMETER DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-49

Maintenance Record I I ODOMETER I DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-50

Section 8 Customer Assistance Information Here you will find out how to contact Buick if you need assistance. This section also tells

Customer Satisfaction Procedure Buick dealers have the facilities, trained technicians and up-to-date information to promptly address any concerns y

STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member of dealership management, it appears your concern cannot be resolved by the dealership without further help,

For prompt assistance, please have the following information available to give the Customer Assistance Representative: 0 Your name, address,

Roadside Assistance Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered under the 3 year/36,00

Courtesy Transportation To Buick Motor Division, Quality Means Service -- and service means “keeping you on the road.” Included with your Buick new c

GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program This program is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Canadia

Center Passenger Position Lap Belt If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone can sit in the center positions. When you sit in a cen

We prefer you utilize the Customer Satisfaction Procedure before you resort to AUTO LINE, but you may contact the BBB at any time. The BBB will attemp

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you should immediat

1997 BUICK SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purcha

ORDER TOLL FREE (NOTE: For Credit Card Holders Only) (Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM EST) FAX Orders Onlv 1-31 3-865-5927 1-800-782-4356 Orders will

fi NOTES 8-12

Section 9 Index Air Bag ... 1-19 How Does it Restrain ... 1-23 How it Works ...

Brake Adjustment ... 6-28 Anti-lock System Warning Light ... 2-63.4-7 Fluid ...

Compact Disc Care ... 3-35 Compact Disc Player ... 3.24. 3.29 Compact Disc Player Errors ...

9-4

Halogen Bulbs ... 6-29 Hazard Warning Flashers ... 5-2 Head Restraints ...

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-

TheaterDimming ... 2-44 Leaving Your Vehicle ... 2-9 Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running

MMT ... 6-4 Multifunction Lever ... 2-34 Net. Convenience ...

I

Seats ManualFront ... 1-2 Power ... 1-3 Restraint Systems ...

Time. Setting the ... 3- 12 Tirechains ... 6-46 TireLoading ...

Underbody Flushin. . Service ... 7-42 Underbody Maintenance ... 6-52 Universal Theft-Deterrent ...

Service Station Checkpoints REMOTE BATTERY TERMINAL P5-6 TIRES P6-38 ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK SECONDARY HOOD RELEASE HOOD FUEL RELEASE DOOR ENGINE COOL

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly

G [ENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, B 1 UIC the BUICK Emblem and the name LESABRE are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manu

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt co

1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the CI guide from its storage clip. 2. Slide the gu

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top. 4. Buckle, position and

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out from the guides. Pull the guide up

at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on your arms. The baby would be almost impossible

Child Restraints Be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets Federal Mot

A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured by the right front passenger air bag if it inflates. Never s

Canadian law requires that child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. If your child restraint has a top st

iii

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 6. To ti

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position U You’ll be using the lap belt. A child in a child restraint in the center front

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 6. To tigh

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position U Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never. put a rear-facing child restr

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 6. Pull

7. To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. 8. Push and pull the child restraint in

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the safety belts properly. Children w

A CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the

Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, you

& NOTES 1-47

&tee. its beginnings to 1903. That was the year the William C. (Billy) Durant compmy was reorganized, refinzmced ad moved from Detroit to Flint.

,@% NOTES 1-48

Section 2 Features and Controls Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick, and information on starting, shifting

Keys Leaving young children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly inju

The ignition keys are for the ignition only. When a new LeSabre is delivered, the dealer removes the plugs from the keys, and gives them to the first

Door Locks Unlocked doors can be dangerous. Passengers -- especially children -- can easily open the doors and fall out. When a door is lo

Power Door Locks With power door locks, you can lock or unlock all the doors of your vehicle using the driver’s or front passenger’s door lock switc

Personal Choice Programming If your vehicle is equipped with remote keyless entry, you can program the memory door locks feature to change to the f

Delayed Locking (If-Equipped) This feature lets the driver delay the actual locking of the vehicle. When the power door lock switch is pressed with

Rear Door Security Lock ‘I A Your LeSabre is equipped with rear door security locks that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors of your

Lockout Protection The power door locks will not work if the key is left in the ignition with the driver’s door open. You can override this featu

Durant also created a racing team that won 500 racing trophies in 1909 and 19 10, including successes at Indianapolis two years before the Indy 500

Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. This system ha

Security Feedback This feature provides feedback to the driver when the vehicle receives a command from the key transmitter. One of the followin

0 0 Delayed Locking: This feature lets the driver delay the actual locking of the vehicle. When all doors have been closed, the doors will lock auto

To replace the battery: 1. Insert a coin into the notch near the keyring. Turn the coin counterclockwise to separate the two halves of the transm

Remote Trunk Release Lockout Trunk Lid The trunk release lockout switch in the glove box must be on for the TRUNK button to work. This feature allow

Theft Parking Lots If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys. But what if you hav

Universal Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped) SECURITY If your Buick has this option, it has a theft-deterrent alarm system. With this system, the SECURI

Testing the Alarm The alarm can be tested by first having the driver’s window down. Activate the system by locking the doors with the power

The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the engine does not start and the SECUR

New Vehicle “Break-In” NOTICE: Your modern Buick doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run if you foll

In World War 11, Buick built aircraft engines, tanks and other military hardware. This post-war period brought great styling and engineerin

LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can remove the key. This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transaxle

Starting Your Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (Nj. Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a safety feature. To

NOTICE: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could chang

To Use the Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt

PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily. It is dangero

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEU

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down

Pa 1. This vehicle has a PUSH TO RELEASE parking brake pedal. To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot. Push

Shifting Into PARK (P) /h CAU ION: It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parki

Move the lever up as far as it will go. 3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle wi

I962 Bcrick Special Built inside the walls of the old buildings in Buick’s former Flint complex, which formed the cornerstone of General Motors, Buic

Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force o

Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust Things mat can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t par

Running Your Engine While You’re Parked It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. L

Windows Power Windows Switches on the driver’s armrest control each of the windows while the ignition is on. In addition, each passenger door has

Tilt Whc,, Turn SgnaUMultifunction Lever A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before you drive. The lever on the left side o

Tur-n and Lane Change Indicator The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you to signa

Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam or high beam to low beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you and

For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold Windshield Washer it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will

1 Cruise Control (If Equipped) With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the a

Setting Cruise Control I If you leave your cruise control switch on when you’re not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when