2000 BUICK LESABRE FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGY

FLINT, Mich. -- The 2000 Buick LeSabre offers a large number of features that enhance performance, comfort and safety. Some of the Buick LeSabre's significant technical features:

PERSONAL CHOICE

LeSabre's Personal Choice feature allows two drivers to pre-select settings of their car's comfort and security features. Upon entry, the car automatically adjusts the settings based on which remote keyless entry fob was used to unlock the car. The settings can be easily changed and saved again. Among Personal Choice features:

Memory Driver's Seats and Mirrors, optional on LeSabre Limited only, allow the car to recall the driver's preference for the positions of the seat cushions (except the head restraint) and the rear-view mirrors.

Audio Control, standard on LeSabre Limited and available on LeSabre Custom, enables two drivers to store and recall AM and FM radio presets, last tuned station, volume, tone and audio source (radio, cassette or CD). Climate Control allows two drivers to recall their personal preference for temperature, fan and passenger climate control status. (Standard on LeSabre Limited, available on LeSabre Custom.)

Delayed Locking gives the driver or passengers a brief opportunity to re-open the car doors even after the door lock switch has been pressed. Once the last door is closed, there is a five-second delay before the car actually locks. The fobs can be programmed to activate or deactivate delayed locking, depending on each driver's preference.

Memory Door Locks allow the driver to choose one of four ways in which the doors automatically lock and unlock:
(1) lock all doors when the transmission is shifted out of Park, and unlock all when Park is re-engaged; (2) lock all doors when the transmission is shifted out of Park, but unlock only the driver's door when Park is re-engaged;
(3) lock all doors when the transmission is shifted into Park; and
(4) the doors stay locked until the driver or passenger unlocks them with a power door switch.

The program can also be set so there is no automatic locking or unlocking. The door program can be set differently for each fob, allowing each driver to custom-tailor the setting. Perimeter Lighting helps provide a security zone around the car at night by lighting the exterior lamps of the car when the unlock button is pressed. The headlamps, parking lamps and back-up lamps stay lit for 15 seconds.

The car can also be programmed to deactivate perimeter lighting altogether.

Security Feedback allows the driver to choose the type of transmitter activated feedback when locking and unlocking the vehicle with the remote keyless entry. The choices are:

DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER

The Driver Information Center, standard on Ultra and available on Park Avenue, features a two-line, 16-character display on the instrument panel. Five buttons on the left side of the instrument panel allow the driver to select information such as detailed fuel consumption data, oil pressure, coolant temperature, battery voltage, oil life index, low tire pressure warning and two trip odometers. In addition, the display notifies the driver of situations that command immediate attention with eight warning messages. When equipped with the dealer installed cellular telephone, the display also communicates the phone's status.

CONVENIENCE PLUS

The following features are standard on all LeSabres for added convenience:

• Battery Rundown Protection shuts off all exterior and interior lights if any are left on for more than 10 minutes when the ignition is off. The driver can override the system and turn the lamps off manually.
• A Lockout Protection feature prevents the power locks from working if the key is in the ignition, reducing the possibility of the driver being accidentally locked out.
• Delayed Entry and Exit Lighting provides the convenience of automatic interior lighting. The interior lamps stay on for 25 seconds or until the ignition is turned on after the driver has opened the car door and for 25 seconds after the ignition is turned off.
• Twilight Sentinel, an automatic headlamp control system, turns the headlamps on and off by sensing how dark it is outside The control can be used to vary the lamp timeout. They can stay on for just a few seconds or for three minutes after the engine is turned off.
• Standard on LeSabre is Retained Accessory Power. It provides power to such accessories as the sound system and windows for up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off, even with the key removed. The power is shut off if a door is opened.

NEW SAFETY FEATURES

Among other new safety features on LeSabres are high-retention front seats with self-aligning head restraints. These features can enhance the seat system performance in rear impact collisions.

In a rear impact, the new seat system is designed to absorb energy and "pocket" a properly positioned occupant's pelvis and lower back into the seat. The self-aligning head restraint, built into each front seat back, uses the rearward movement of the occupant's upper torso in an accident to rotate the head restraint closer to the occupant's head. This simple mechanical device can reduce head motion in certain rear impacts, and therefore reduce the potential for a "whiplash" injury. Also, all front safety belts are now attached directly to the seat structure, and shoulder and lap safety belts are now provided for all three rear passengers.

PASS-Key III

All LeSabres are equipped with PASS-Key III, a passive theft-deterrent system that works automatically when the key is inserted or removed from the ignition. PASS-Key III uses a radio frequency that matches a decoder in the vehicle. These codes alternate with each usage. When the PASS-Key III system senses that someone is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle's starter and fuel systems. With more than one trillion electronic combinations, it is virtually impossible to start the car by trial and error.

OTHER FEATURES

Convenience Console

Optional on LeSabre Limited, the convenience console is designed to make conducting business away from the office a more pleasurable experience. This multi-faceted console includes a center armrest, dual cupholders, a flip-up writing surface, a large storage area and two auxiliary power outlets.

Instant Alarm

This security feature is standard in the remote keyless entry feature. Pushing the alarm button on the fob will sound the horn and flash the headlamps and taillamps for up to two minutes. The alarm can be turned off by pressing the button again, unlocking the car with the key, or turning on the ignition.

Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers

Optional on both LeSabre models this feature activates the wipers when moisture is present on the windshield. The sensitivity level can be set low, allowing more water to collect on the windshield between wipes, or high, increasing the frequency of wipes.

Advanced On-Board Diagnostics (OBD II)

All 2000 LeSabres' engines comply fully with new On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II) federal regulations, which require that the on-board computer monitor key powertrain and emission control systems and alert the driver if these systems start to malfunction. The powertrain control module, the sophisticated computer that controls the engine and automatic transmission, constantly monitors various engine and emission systems, including the fuel system, the catalytic converter and the exhaust gas recirculation system.

If a problem occurs, the "service engine soon" indicator on the instrument panel lights up, advising the driver to have the car checked by a mechanic. The computer also stores a trouble code, indicating the precise nature of the problem. The code can be read using a simple diagnostic tool, making it easier for the mechanic to find the problem.

In addition to monitoring emission controls, OBD II has other potential benefits for Buick owners. The advanced computer allows even more precise control of the powertrain for improved performance and efficiency. The system can also spot many types of malfunctions early, before they cause major problems or a breakdown. Magnetic Variable-Effort Power Steering

This system continuously adjusts the effort the driver feels when steering at different speeds. Steering becomes easier during parking and other low-speed maneuvers, then steering effort gradually increases as vehicle speed increases, providing improved steering feel at highway speeds. The steering uses a power rack-and-pinion steering gear with assist provided by an ,engine-driven hydraulic pump.

A sophisticated magnetic resistance unit, controlled by a computer, varies the level of hydraulic assist to provide a seamless transition from high assist at low speeds to minimal assist during highway driving. The change is so smooth that the driver is unlikely to notice any change at all. (Available on LeSabre Limited and Custom with the Gran Touring Package.)

Antilock Brakes

Antilock brakes (ABS) are once again standard on all LeSabres for 2000. ABS helps the driver maintain steering control during hard braking, and improves braking performance over a wide range of road surfaces and driving conditions. A series of sensors and a small, powerful computer adjusts brake pressure to help prevent wheel lockup on slippery surfaces and during hard braking on any surface. The tires retain traction, helping the driver maintain steering control.

Traction Control

Full-range traction control, optional on LeSabres, uses both brake and engine power control for smooth operation at any normal driving speed. Speed sensors at each wheel allow the system module to detect wheelspin by comparing the speeds of the driven and non-driven wheels. If wheelspin is detected, the car's computer applies brake pressure to slow the spinning wheel, and simultaneously decrease the torque generated by the engine. A switch is provided to disable the traction .control system for unusual conditions like rocking the car in deep snow.

Buick's Premium Roadside Assistance Program

Premium Roadside Assistance provides owners of all warranted Buick vehicles access to minor repairs or towing for emergency situations. Buick provides access to service professionals trained to work with Buick owners 24 hours a day on the toll-free hotline.

The center is never closed -- open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays. The program is available to Buick owners in all 50 states including fleet, lease and rental vehicles during the 36 month/36,000 mile Bumper to Bumper New Vehicle Warranty period.