tow BUICK RAINIER 2005 User Guide

{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-50.Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, press the
button on the shift lever and push the shift lever all
the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-27.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-42.
2-23

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
2-24

To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press in the button at the end of the lever. Hold the button
in as you move the parking brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-50.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-50.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your foot and set
the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2-26

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-28.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-50.
2-29

Manual Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature
The vehicle may have a manual rearview mirror with an
eight-point compass and temperature display located
in the upper right.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Mirror Operation
While sitting in a comfortable position, adjust the
rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip it in the center and move it up or down and
side to side. The day/night control, located at the
bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce
headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark
conditions. Push the control for daytime use; pull it for
night use.
Temperature and Compass Display
O
(On/Off):Press this button to turn the compass and
temperature display on or off. The compass display,
can show a maximum of two characters. For example,
NE is displayed for north-east.When the ignition and the compass/temperature feature
are on, character boxes will appear for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the direction the vehicle is facing and the outside
temperature.
To set the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, do the
following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button until either a
ashing F or C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to the
desired unit of measurement. After about four
seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked in
and the compass/temperature display will return.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass direction, (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item. If the letter
C should ever appear in the compass window, the
compass may need calibration.
2-35

Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®, Compass, and
Temperature Display
The vehicle may have a manual rearview mirror with
OnStar®and an eight-point compass and temperature
display located in the upper right.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system are at the
bottom of the mirror. See your GM dealer for more
information about the OnStar
®system. Also, see
OnStar®System on page 2-40for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Mirror Operation
While sitting in a comfortable position, adjust the
rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip it in the center and move it up or down and
side to side. The day/night control, located at the
bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce
headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark
conditions. Push the control for daytime use; pull it for
night use.
Temperature and Compass Display
O
(On/Off):Press this button to turn the compass and
temperature display on or off. The compass display, can
show a maximum of two characters. For example, NE is
displayed for north-east.
When the ignition and the compass/temperature
feature are on, character boxes will appear for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the direction the vehicle is facing and the outside
temperature.
To set the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, do the
following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button until either a
ashing F or C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to the
desired unit of measurement. After about four
seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked in
and the compass/temperature display will return.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display does
not show a compass direction, N for North, for example,
there may be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the
compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder, or a
similar magnetic item. If the letter C should ever appear in
the compass window, the compass may need calibration.
2-37

Outside Power Mirror
The control is located on
the driver’s door.
1. Turn the knob toward the mirror you desire to
adjust.
2. Move the control in the direction you want the
mirror to go.
3. Adjust the mirror in all four directions. Adjust it so
you can see some of the side of your vehicle and
the area behind your vehicle.
4. After you are satised with the position of the
mirror, turn the control to the center position or turn
it to the other mirror to adjust that mirror.If you reach the mirror’s end of the travel position in any
direction, the mirror will enter a ratcheting mode. This
action is harmless. It is a warning that the mirror can go
no further. To stop this action, back the mirror up by
moving the control in the opposite direction.
When the control is turned to the center position, the
mirror can not be moved with the control knob.
Fold the mirror in manually before entering a car wash.
To do this, pull the mirror in toward the vehicle. Push
the mirror back out when nished.
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If the vehicle has this feature, the passenger’s outside
mirror will adjust to a preset tilt position while the vehicle
is in REVERSE (R) gear. Curb view assist may be
useful when you are parallel parking. The mirror
will return to normal position when the vehicle is shifted
out of REVERSE (R) gear. Automatic mirror movement
in either direction will follow a short delay.
You may be able to turn this feature on or off through
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-50.
2-39

Reprogramming a Single HomeLink®
Button
To program a device to HomeLink®using a HomeLink®
button previously trained, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
®button. Do
not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the HomeLink
®
button, proceed with Step 2 under “Programming
HomeLink®” shown earlier in this section.
Resetting Defaults
To reset HomeLink®to default settings do the following:
1. Hold down the two outside buttons for about
20 seconds until the indicator light begins to ash.
2. Continue to hold both buttons until the HomeLink
®
indicator light turns off.
3. Release both buttons.
For questions or comments, contact HomeLink
®at
1-800-355-3515, or on the internet at
www.homelink.com.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the side of the handle
towards the driverside.
Overhead Console
Your vehicle may have this feature. The overhead
console may include a reading lamps, HomeLink®
transmitter and a sunroof switch. SeeSunroof on
page 2-50andHomeLink®Transmitter on page 2-42for
more information.
If your vehicle has a third row seat, and has a power
operated rear quarter glass, the switches for operating
the rear quarter glass are also located in the overhead
console. These switches allow the driver to open
and close each third row seat window separately.
)(Driver’s Quarter Glass):Press button downward
to open or upward to close the drivers side (left)
quarter glass for the third row seat.
((Passenger’s Quarter Glass):Press button
downward to open or upward to close the passengers
side (right) quarter glass for the third row seat.
2-46

To slide the crossrails to where you want them, pull up
on the lever on each side of the crossrail. This will
release the crossrail and allow you to slide it. When the
crossrail is where you want it, press down on the
levers to lock it into place.
Notice:Loading cargo on the luggage carrier that
weighs more than 220 lbs (100 kg) or hangs over the
rear or sides of the vehicle may damage your
vehicle. Load cargo so that it rests on the slats as
far forward as possible and against the side
rails, making sure to fasten it securely.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-43.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier is
locked and cargo is still securely fastened.
When the luggage carrier is not in use, place the
crossrails at the following positions for wind noise
reduction. Place one crossrail at the rear most point of
the vehicle and the other crossrail above the opening
of the rear door.Rear Floor Storage Lid
{CAUTION:
If any removable convenience item is not
secured properly, it can move around in a
collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle
could be injured. Be sure to secure any such
item properly.
Your vehicle has a rear cargo area with a removable
storage lid.
To remove the rear oor storage lid, do the following:
1. Press the latch release and lift up the latch handle.
2. Raise the lid slightly to unhook it.
3. Pull the lid toward you to release it from the forward
mounting tabs.
To reinstall the rear oor storage lid, reverse the
previous steps. Make sure the lid is secure by applying
slight pressure to the latch until you hear it click.
2-48

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located on
top of the steering
column.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in the
ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
You should adjust the
steering wheel before you
drive. The tilt lever is
located to the left of the
steering column, under the
turn signal lever.
You can raise it to the highest level to give your legs
more room when you enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.
3-6