brake BUICK RAINIER 2007 User Guide

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called
“torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the
parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly
before you leave the driver’s seat. To nd out how,
seeShifting Into Park (P) on page 119.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P) before you release the parking
brake.If torque lock does occur, you may need to
have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in
the transmission, so you can pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system. You have to fully apply
the regular brakes rst and then press the shift
lever button before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 114.
120

Running the Engine While 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
underEngine Exhaust on page 122.
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.
SeeWinter Driving on page 325.
{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 119.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 339.
123

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 152
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 154
Other Warning Devices............................. 154
Horn.......................................................... 154
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 154
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 155
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 156
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 157
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 157
Windshield Wipers..................................... 157
Windshield Washer.................................... 158
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...................... 158
Cruise Control........................................... 159
Headlamps................................................ 162
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 163
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 163
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 164
Fog Lamps................................................ 165
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 166
Dome Lamps............................................. 166
Dome Lamp Override................................ 166
Entry Lighting............................................ 167
Exit Lighting.............................................. 167
Reading Lamps......................................... 167Electric Power Management...................... 167
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 168
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 168
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 169
Climate Controls......................................... 170
Dual Automatic Climate Control System....... 170
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 175
Rear Climate Control System.................... 176
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators........ 176
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 178
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 179
Trip Odometer........................................... 179
Tachometer............................................... 179
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 180
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 180
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 181
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 182
Charging System Light.............................. 185
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 185
Brake System Warning Light..................... 186
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 187
StabiliTrak
®Service Light........................... 188
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light......................... 188
Section 3 Instrument Panel
149

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply the brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when
you are not using cruise, you might hit a
button and go into cruise when you do
not want to. You could be startled and
even lose control. Keep the cruise control
switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
Setting Cruise Control
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the set button at the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The accelerator pedal will not go down.
160

Some vehicles have a
cruise light on the
instrument panel cluster
that will come on
when the cruise control
is engaged.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of
course, shuts off the cruise control. But you do not
need to reset it.
Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can move the cruise control switch
briey from on to resume/accelerate.
You will go right back up to the previously chosen
speed and stay there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate, the
vehicle keeps going faster until you release
the switch or apply the brakes. So unless you
want to go faster, do not hold the switch at
resume/accelerate.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the button at the end of the
lever, then release the button and the
accelerator pedal. You will now cruise at the
higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from on to resume/
accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to the
desired speed and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briey to resume/accelerate.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
Press in the set button at the end of the lever until
you reach the desired speed, then release it.
Each time you do this, you will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
161

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your
vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed
set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control works on hills
depends upon your speed, load and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may
want to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain
your speed. When going downhill, you may
have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers nd
this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise switch to off, or
Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the
ignition, the cruise control set speed memory
is erased.
Headlamps
The exterior lamps
knob is located on your
instrument panel to
the left of the steering
wheel.
c(Off):Turn the knob to this symbol and
release it to turn off the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the Automatic Headlamps (AHS).
An indicator illuminates when the position
is selected. This position is not available for
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
162

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
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means your
vehicle has 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 is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
United StatesCanada
186

This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 337.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS),
this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may
stay on for several
seconds, that is normal.
A chime may also sound when the light comes on.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still have
brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you
do not have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 186earlier in this section.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
187

SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your dealer inspect
the system for problems. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 181andAirbag System on page 68
for more information. Press any of the DIC
buttons, or the trip stem, to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if a problem occurs with
the brake system. 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. See your dealer.
SERVICE CHARGING SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a problem with the
battery charging system. Under certain conditions,
the charging system light may also turn on in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeCharging System
Light on page 185. The battery will not be charging
at an optimal rate and the vehicle will lose the ability
to enter the fuel economy mode. The vehicle is safe
to drive, however you should have the electrical
system checked by your dealer. Press any of the
DIC buttons, or the trip stem, to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If this message displays, it means there may be a
problem with the StabiliTrak®system. If this
message appears, try to reset the system by
performing the following: stop; turn off the engine;
then start the engine again. If this message still
comes on, it means there is a problem. You should
see your dealer for service. The vehicle is safe to
drive, however, you do not have the benet of
StabiliTrak
®, so reduce your speed and drive
accordingly. Press any of the DIC buttons, or the
trip stem, to acknowledge this message and clear it
from the DIC display.
206

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
This message displays if a part on the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is not working
properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of the
four sensors are missing or inoperable, the
warning comes on in about 20 minutes. A sensor
would be missing, for example, if you put
different wheels on your vehicle without
transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the
TPM. See your dealer.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
This message displays anytime the StabiliTrak®
system activates to maintain vehicle stability.
Any combination of engine speed management,
brake traction control, and stability control displays
this message.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
This message may display if driving conditions
delay StabiliTrak®system initialization. This
is normal. Once the system initializes, this
message will no longer be displayed on the DIC.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays when you press the
StabiliTrak®button for more than ve seconds or
when stability control has been automatically
disabled. The StabiliTrak
®button is located on the
transmission shift handle. To limit wheel spin
and realize the full benets of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
StabiliTrak
®on. However, you should turn
StabiliTrak®off if your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow and you want to rock your
vehicle to attempt to free it, or if you are driving in
extreme off-road conditions and require more
wheel spin. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 329. To turn the
StabiliTrak
®system back on, press the
StabiliTrak®button again.
The message may display if the brake system
warning light is on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 186.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions
that caused the message to be displayed are
no longer present.
207