warning light BUICK RAINIER 2006 Owner's Guide

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out
for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention
to traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for
a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-35.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-34

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies
in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-52.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and reective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You will
have a lot less traction, or grip, and will need to be
very careful.
4-40

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Add uid only after checking the transmission uid while
it is hot. A cold check is used only as a reference. If
the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
It does not take much uid, generally less than one pint
(0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then ip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-24

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
5-38

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-64

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Inator...........................................5-68
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-61
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-94
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-20
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Air Suspension...............................................4-50
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-30
Readiness Light..........................................3-29
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-48
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-61
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-54
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-56
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-60
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-55
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-53
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-50
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-45
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-13
All-Wheel-Drive Service Light............................3-41Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-130
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-130
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-34
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-90
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-88
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-92
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-89
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-85
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-87
Finish Care.................................................5-89
Finish Damage............................................5-92
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-88
Leather......................................................5-87
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-91
Tires..........................................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-92
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-93
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-88
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-90
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-126
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-128
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-129
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-129
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-130
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-130
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-113
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-85
Radio with CD....................................3-60, 3-70
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-99
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-124
Setting the Time..........................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-126
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-127
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-130
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-39
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-36
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-24
System Warning Light..................................3-33
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-20Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-105
Carbon Monoxide...................2-12, 2-27, 4-40, 4-52
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-88
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-128
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-129
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-129
Cargo Cover..................................................2-49
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-50
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-47
Chains, Tire...................................................5-67
2

Charging System Light....................................3-32
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Gages Warning Light...................................3-41
Check Gas Cap Light......................................3-42
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-92
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-32
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-26
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-44
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-130
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-90
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-89
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-87
Finish Care.................................................5-89
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-85
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-88Cleaning (cont.)
Leather......................................................5-87
Tires..........................................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-92
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-88
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-90
Climate Control System
Dual Automatic............................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-23
Rear..........................................................3-24
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-23
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-49
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-39
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-14
3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-27
Fan Noise..................................................5-34
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-26
Reduced Power Light...................................3-40
Starting......................................................2-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-25
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-92
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-130Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-42
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-102
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-95
5

G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-42
Oil Pressure...............................................3-38
Speedometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-43
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-41
Glove Box.....................................................2-46
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-14
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Electrical System.........................................5-95
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heater...........................................................3-19
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-40
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-37
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-38
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-58
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-26
6