BUICK RAINIER 2006 Owner's Manual

Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle. When your vehicle
is rst started and the climate control system is on,
or if the climate control system has been turned on, the
display will show the driver’s temperature setting for
ve seconds. Then it will show the outside temperature.
Outside Air Temperature Display
A new outside temperature reading will be displayed
if the vehicle has been off for more than three hours.
If the vehicle has been off for less than three hours, the
old temperature reading may be displayed because
underhood heat is affecting the true outside temperature.
Since underhood heat can also affect the outside
temperature while the engine is running, it may take
several minutes of driving before the display updates
to the actual outside temperature.
9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire climate
control system. Outside air will still enter the vehicle,
and will be directed to the oor. Press the AUTO button,
the mode button, the fan arrows, or either temperature
knob to turn the system on.
C(Mode):Press this button to manually select the
air delivery mode to the oor, instrument panel, or
windshield outlets. The system will stay in the selected
mode until the mode button is pressed again or the
AUTO button is pressed.
3-19

Driver’s Side Temperature Knob:Turn this knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to manually raise
or lower the temperature on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. The display will show the temperature setting
decreasing or increasing and an arrow pointing
toward the driver. This knob can also adjust the
passenger’s side temperature setting simultaneously
if the two zones are linked as described in Passenger’s
Side Temperature Knob.
Passenger’s Side Temperature Knob:Turn this
knob clockwise or counterclockwise to manually raise
or lower the temperature on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. The display will show the temperature
setting decreasing or increasing and an arrow pointing
toward the passenger. The passenger’s temperature
setting can be set to match and link to the driver’s
temperature setting by pressing and holding the
AUTO button for three seconds. Now, by adjusting
the driver’s side temperature setting, the passenger’s
side temperature setting will follow and both arrows
will appear on the display. The passenger’s side
temperature setting also resets and relinks to the driver’s
side temperature setting if the vehicle has been off
for more than three hours.Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active, the system will control the inside temperature,
the air delivery mode, and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet mode will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor will run
when the outside temperature is over approximately
40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be set to
outside air. If it’s hot outside, the air inlet will
automatically switch to recirculate inside air to help
quickly cool down your vehicle.
2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 72°F (22°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Turn the driver’s or
passenger’s side temperature knob to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C), the system
will remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C),
the system will remain at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting may not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
3-20

Manual Operation
To change the current setting, select one of the
following:
w9x(Fan):This button allows you to manually
adjust the fan speed. Press the up arrow to increase
fan speed and the down arrow to decrease fan speed.
The display will change to show you the selected
fan speed and the driver’s side temperature setting for
ve seconds.
C(Mode):Press this button to manually change the
direction of the airow in your vehicle. Keep pressing the
button until the desired mode appears on the display.
The display will change to show you the selected
air delivery mode and the driver’s temperature setting
for ve seconds.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs approximately half
of the air to the instrument panel outlets, then directs the
remaining air to the oor outlets. A little air is directed
toward the windshield and the side window outlets.
Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer
air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets. Some air also comes out of the defroster
and side window outlets. The recirculation button cannot
be selected in oor mode.
@(Recirculation):Press this button to turn
recirculation mode on or off. When this button is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will also come
on to let you know that it is activated. Recirculation
mode is used to recirculate the air inside of your vehicle.
Use this mode to help prevent outside odors and/or
dust from entering your vehicle or to help cool the air
inside of your vehicle more quickly. Recirculation
mode can be used with vent and bi-level modes, but it
cannot be used with oor, defog or defrost modes.
You may also notice that the air conditioning compressor
will run while in recirculation mode. This is normal
and will help to prevent fogging.
If the weather is cold and damp, the system may
cause the windows to fog while using recirculation
mode. If the windows do start to fog, select defog or
defrost mode.
Recirculation mode, if selected, will be cleared when
the engine is turned off.
3-21

#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to
manually turn the air conditioning system on or off.
When the system is on, the system will automatically
begin to cool and dehumidify the air inside of your
vehicle. The air conditioning symbol will appear on the
display when the air conditioning is on and will turn
off when the air conditioning is off.
If you select turn the air conditioning off while in front
defrost or defog mode, the air conditioning symbol
will turn off, however, the A/C compressor will remain
on to help de-humidify the air inside the vehicle.
If one of the other modes is selected the compressor
will then turn the A/C off until it is selected again or
the AUTO button is pressed.
To avoid fogging the inside glass on rainy and humid
days at temperature above freezing, press the
air-conditioning button to run the air conditioning
compressor. Also, it is best to avoid the use of
recirculation mode except when maximum air
conditioning performance is needed or for short times
to avoid exterior odors.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. You can use either defog or
front defrost to clear fog or frost from your windshield.
-(Defog):Use this setting to clear the windows of
fog or moisture. This setting will deliver air to the
oor and windshield outlets.
0(Front Defrost):Press the front defrost button
to clear the windshield and side windows of frost or
fog quickly. The system will automatically control the
fan speed if you select defrost from AUTO mode.
If the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or warmer,
your air conditioning compressor will automatically run
to help dehumidify the air and dry the windshield.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
3-22

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off.
An indicator light in the button will come on to let you
know that the rear window defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If you need
additional warming time, press the button again.
If equipped, your heated mirrors will also come on when
you press this button.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the
sides of your instrument panel to direct the airow.
Operation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlets free of ice, snow,
or any other obstruction, such as leaves. The
heater and defroster will work far better, reducing
the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather,
select maximum blower speed for a few moments
before driving. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance
of fogging the inside of your window.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Adding outside equipment to the front of your
vehicle, such as hood-air deectors, may affect the
performance of the heating and air conditioning
system. Check with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
3-23

Rear Climate Control System
The lower buttons on the rear seat audio are used to
adjust the rear seat climate controls. The temperature
of the air coming through the rear outlets is determined
by the front passenger’s temperature setting.
z9y(Fan)Press this button to adjust the
fan speed.
z\y(Mode)Press this button to change the
direction of airow in the rear seat area to either vent,
bi-level or oor mode.
P(On/Off)Press this button to turn the rear climate
controls on or off.
The rear control will only turn on if the front is on and
not in defrost mode.
3-24

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 them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention
to your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the engine
just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar
with this section, you should not be alarmed when
this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly — and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-43.
3-25

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know
how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have used, and many other things you will need to know to
drive safely and economically.
United States version shown, Canada similar
3-26

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 how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip stem located on
the instrument panel cluster.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs
a new odometer installed. The new one will be set to
the correct mileage total of the old odometer.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle
has been driven since you last set the trip odometer
to zero.
Your vehicle’s odometer works together with the Driver
Information Center (DIC). You can set a Trip A and
Trip B odometer. See “Trip Information” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-44.
Tachometer
The tachometer
displays the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
3-27

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind you and your
passengers to buckle your safety belts. The driver safety
belt light will also come on and stay on for several
seconds, then it will ash for several more. You should
buckle your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will come on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds
to remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag is
enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-56
for more information. The passenger safety belt light
will also come on and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light will be
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
3-28