steering BUICK RAINIER 2006 Owner's Manual

{CAUTION:
Anyone who is up against, or very close to,
any airbag when it inates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer the best protection for adults, but
not for young children and infants. Neither the
vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag
system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle. To read how,
seeOlder Children on page 1-26orInfants and
Young Children on page 1-29.
There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag
symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-29
for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-50

If your vehicle has a roof-mounted airbag for the right
front passenger and the person directly behind that
passenger, it is located in the ceiling above the
side windows.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not inate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering. And, if your vehicle has
roof-mounted side impact airbags, never secure
anything to the roof of your vehicle by routing
the rope or tiedown through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an inating side
impact airbag will be blocked. The path of an
inating airbag must be kept clear.
1-52

Your vehicle may or may not have a roof-mounted airbag
and a rollover sensor. SeeAirbag System on page 1-48.
These “rollover capable” airbags are intended to inate
in moderate to severe side crashes or during a rollover.
A roof-mounted airbag will inate if the crash severity is
above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The
threshold level can vary with specic vehicle design.
Roof-mounted airbags are not intended to inate in
frontal or near-frontal impacts, or rear impacts. Both
roof-mounted airbags will deploy when either side of
the vehicle is struck or during a rollover.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an
airbag should have inated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs
were. For frontal airbags, ination is determined by
what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down. For roof-mounted
airbags, ination is determined by the location and
severity of the impact.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough
terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. SeeOff-Road
Driving on page 4-18for tips on off-road driving.What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. In the
case of a “rollover capable” roof-mounted side impact
airbag, the sensing system detects that the vehicle
is about to roll over. The sensing system triggers
a release of gas from the inator, which inates the
airbag. The inator, airbag, and related hardware are
all part of the airbag modules inside the steering wheel
and in the instrument panel in front of the right front
passenger. For vehicles with roof-mounted side impact
airbags, the airbag modules are located in the ceiling
of the vehicle, near the side windows.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the
frontal airbags would not help you in many types
of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion
is not toward the airbag.
1-54

Roof-mounted side impact airbags would not help you
in many types of collisions, including many frontal
or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those
airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then
only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s
frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe
side collisions or rollovers for the roof-mounted side
impact airbags.
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?
After a frontal airbag inates, it quickly deates, so
quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag
inated. Roof-mounted side impact airbags deate more
slowly and may still be at least partially inated minutes
after the vehicle comes to rest. Some components of the
airbag module may be hot for a short time. These
components include the steering wheel hub for the
driver’s frontal airbag and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag. For vehicles with
side impact airbags, the ceiling of your vehicle near the
side windows may be hot. The parts of the bag that come
into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to
touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from
the vents in the deated airbags.Airbag ination does not prevent the driver from seeing
out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment,
you should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when
the airbags inate (if battery power is available).
You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps
off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls.
1-55

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side
impact airbag covering (if equipped) on the ceiling
near the side windows, the airbag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the airbag
module in the steering wheel, both the airbag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s airbag, or side impact airbag module
and ceiling covering for roof-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped.) Do not open or break the
airbag coverings.
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system
may not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in
a crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if
worn during a more severe crash, then you need
new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
1-62

Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
If your vehicle has this feature, you can change the
position of the throttle and brake pedals. This feature is
designed for shorter drivers, since the pedals cannot
move farther away from the standard position, but can
move closer for better pedal reach. This feature can
be programmed to work with the memory function,
if equipped, on your vehicle. SeeMemory Seat on
page 2-51.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) for this feature
to operate.
The switch used to adjust
the pedals is located on
the steering column.
Press the switch forward or backward to move the
pedals closer or farther away from you.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In
very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum
of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment, behind the battery.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-Volt AC outlet.
2-20

Directions and Connections®Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar®Personal Calling
As an OnStar®subscriber, the Personal Calling
capability allows you to make hands-free calls using a
wireless system that is integrated into the vehicle.
Calls can be placed nationwide using simple voice
commands with no additional contracts and no additional
roaming charges. To nd out more about OnStar
®
Personal Calling, refer to the OnStar®User’s Guide in
the vehicle’s glove box, visit www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca, or speak to an OnStar
®advisor by
pressing the blue OnStar®button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
Your vehicle may have Virtual Advisor. It is a feature
of OnStar®Personal Calling that uses minutes to
access weather, local traffic reports, and stock
quotes. By pressing the phone button and giving a
few simple voice commands, you can browse through
the various topics. Customize your information prole
at www.myonstar.com. See the OnStar
®User’s
Guide for more information.
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be
equipped with a Talk/Mute
button that can be used
to interact with OnStar
®.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel
Controls on page 3-126
for more information.
When calling into voice-mail systems, or to dial directory
numbers, press this button once, wait for the response,
say the number(s) to be dialed, wait for the number(s)
to be repeated and then say “dial”. See the OnStar
®
User’s Guide for more information.
2-42

Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-38
Security Light...............................................3-39
Cruise Control Light......................................3-39
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-40
Highbeam On 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
Check Gas Cap Light....................................3-42
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-43
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-44
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-47
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-52Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Setting the Time...........................................3-59
Radio with CD (Base)...................................3-60
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-70
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-85
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-99
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-113
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-113
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-124
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-126
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-126
Radio Reception.........................................3-127
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-128
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-129
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-129
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-130
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-130
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-130
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps on
page 3-13. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome
Lamp Override on page 3-16. Instrument Panel
Brightness Control. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 3-16. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-15.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-23.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. OnStar and Audio Steering Wheel Controls. See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-126.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-126.
G. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-58.I. Climate Controls. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-19.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Steering Wheel
Controls. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-43.
L. Rear Window Washer/Wiper. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-10.
M. Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-18.
N. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
O. Rear Window Defogger. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-19.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-46.
3-5

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