charging BUICK RAINIER 2004 Owner's Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-20
Rear Climate Control System.........................3-25
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-27
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-28
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-29
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-30
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-30Charging System Light..................................3-31
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light...........................................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-35
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-38
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-39
Security Light...............................................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-40
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-40
Service All-Wheel Drive Light.........................3-41
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-41
Gate Ajar Light.............................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-42
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-43
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-43
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briey when
you turn on the ignition,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have
a problem with the charging system. It could indicate
that you have problems with a generator drive belt,
or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
3-31

Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
on (in RUN), this gage
shows your battery’s state
of charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between
the low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left idling for an extended
period. This condition is normal since the charging
system is not able to provide full power at engine idle.As engine speeds are increased, this condition should
correct itself as higher engine speeds allow the charging
system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading
in either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off
all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem. A chime
may also sound when the light comes on.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
3-32

ENGINE COOLANT HOT/ENGINE
OVERHEATED
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC and you will hear a chime.
Refer to “Engine Overheating” for the proper course of
action. This message will clear when the coolant
temperature drops to a safe operating temperature.
OIL PRESSURE LOW/STOP ENGINE
If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be
displayed on the DIC. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low oil
pressure has been corrected. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
If the battery is not charging during operation, this
message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this
problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible. Press the select
button to acknowledge this message and clear it
from the DIC display.
SERVICE AIR BAG
If there is a problem with the air bag system this
message will be displayed on the DIC. Have a qualied
technician inspect the system for problems. Press
the select button to acknowledge this message and clear
it from the DIC display.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If a problem occurs with the brake system this message
will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display.
If the message is still displayed, or appears again when
you begin driving, the brake system needs service.
TURN SIGNAL ON
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km),
this message will appear on the display and you will
hear a chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to
the off position. Press the select button to acknowledge
this message and clear it from the DIC display.
3-53

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-115
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-116
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-116
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-99
Audio Systems
Radio Personalization.................................3-112
Audio System(s)
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-68
Radio with CD............................................3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-84
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-111
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-112
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-114
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-116
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-24
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Backglass Wiper Blade Replacement.................5-58
Backing Up....................................................4-60
Battery..........................................................5-44BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-53
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-36
Before You Drive............................................3-99
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-16
Brake
Parking......................................................2-26
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brake Adjustment............................................5-43
Brake Fluid....................................................5-41
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-22
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-43
Brake Wear...................................................5-43
Brakes..........................................................5-41
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-54
Headlamps.................................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71
2

C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-8
Capacities and Specications..........................5-113
Carbon Monoxide...................4-40, 4-53, 2-14, 2-29
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-96
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-114
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-116
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-115
Cargo Cover..................................................2-44
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-44
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-80
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-80
CD Messages................................3-68, 3-83, 3-98
Chains, Tires..................................................5-75
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-35
Gages Warning Light...................................3-41
Check Engine Light.........................................3-35
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-54
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-42
Checking Coolant............................................5-28Checking Engine Oil........................................5-18
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-55
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-99
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-32
Infants and Young Children...........................1-28
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-38
Older Children.............................................1-26
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in
a Rear Outside Seat Position.....................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in
the Center Seat Position...........................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in
the Right Front Seat Position.....................1-43
Top Strap...................................................1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-35
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-116
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-93
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-96
3

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-45
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-13, 1-21
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-40
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-28
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR................................3-55
Liftgate Release..............................................2-14
Liftgate/Liftglass..............................................2-14Liftglass/Liftgate..............................................2-14
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-34
Brake System Warning.................................3-32
Change Engine Oil......................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-31
Check Gages Warning.................................3-41
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Gate Ajar...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-35
Reduced Engine Power................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-30
Security.....................................................3-40
Service All-Wheel-Drive................................3-41
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-17
Listening to a DVD.................................3-83, 3-98
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-46
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-17
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-11
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Door........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-13
9