maintenance BUICK RAINIER 2007 Owner's Guide

For additional information and details about the DIC
operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 199andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 202.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the tire pressure monitor light, located on
the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message will appear when the
vehicle is rst started, and then turn off as you
start to drive the vehicle. This could be an
early indicator that the tire pressures are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and inated
to the ination pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
ination pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires
of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire ination
pressure for those tires.)As an added safety
feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with
a tire pressure
monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure
telltale when one
or more of your tires is
signicantly
under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a signicantly
under-inated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-ination also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-ination has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
421

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will ash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
The Tire and Loading Information label (tire
information placard) shows the size of your
vehicle’s original tires and the correct ination
pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are cold.SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 419. For the
location of the tire and loading information label,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 330.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 425andTires on page 411.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your
vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
TPMS Sensor Identication Codes
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identication
code. Any time you replace one or more of
the TPMS sensors or rotate the vehicle’s tires, the
identication codes will need to be matched to
the new tire/wheel position. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following
order: driver’s side front tire, passenger’s side
front tire, passenger’s side rear tire, and driver’s
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your dealer for service.
422

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 426
andWheel Replacement on page 432for
more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, use the wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
For information on storing or removing the
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 436.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve
more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
rst rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 479.When rotating your tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 330, for an example of
the label and its location on your vehicle.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors will need to be reset after a tire rotation.
See “TPMS Sensor Identication Codes” under
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 420.
425

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning ashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 154for more
information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)
436

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and
dust control can collect on the underbody. If these
are not removed, corrosion and rust can develop
on the underbody parts such as fuel lines,
frame, oor pan, and exhaust system even though
they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials from
the underbody with plain water. Clean any
areas where mud and debris can collect. Dirt
packed in close areas of the frame should
be loosened before being ushed. Your dealer or
an underbody car washing system can do this
for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can
create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the
vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes
this, GM will repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by
this fallout condition within 12 months or
12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs rst.
461

Maintenance Schedule................................ 476
Introduction............................................... 476
Maintenance Requirements........................ 476
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 477
Using the Maintenance Schedule............... 477
Scheduled Maintenance............................. 479
Additional Required Services..................... 482
Maintenance Footnotes.............................. 483
Owner Checks and Services..................... 485At Each Fuel Fill....................................... 485
At Least Once a Month............................. 486
At Least Once a Year............................... 486
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants........ 489
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts ................................. 491
Engine Drive Belt Routing......................... 492
Maintenance Record.................................. 493
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
475

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan?
The Plan supplements your new vehicle
warranties. See your Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, replacement parts, and
recommended uids and lubricants as
prescribed in this manual are necessary to
keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered
by warranty.
476

Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep
your vehicle in good working condition, but also
helps the environment. All recommended
maintenance is important. Improper vehicle
maintenance can even affect the quality of the air
we breathe. Improper uid levels or the wrong
tire ination can increase the level of emissions
from your vehicle. To help protect our environment,
and to keep your vehicle in good condition, be
sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do
not know exactly how you will drive it. You may
drive very short distances only a few times a week.
Or you may drive long distances all the time in
very hot, dusty weather. You may use your vehicle
in making deliveries. Or you may drive it to
work, to do errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may
need more frequent checks and replacements.
So please read the following and note how
you drive. If you have any questions on how to
keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer.
477

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within
recommended limits. You will nd these limits
on the Tire and Loading Information label.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 330.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
legal driving limits.
are driven off-road in the recommended
manner. SeeOff-Road Driving on page 299.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline
Octane on page 358.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on
page 479should be performed when indicated.
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 482and
Maintenance Footnotes on page 483for further
information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a
vehicle can be dangerous. In trying to do
some jobs, you can be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance work only if
you have the required know-how and the
proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, see your GM
Goodwrench
®dealer to have a qualied
technician do the work. SeeDoing Your
Own Service Work on page 357.
Some maintenance services can be complex.
So, unless you are technically qualied and have
the necessary equipment, you should have
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer do these jobs.
When you go to your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for
your service needs, you will know that GM-trained
and supported service technicians will perform
the work using genuine GM parts.
478

If you want to purchase service information, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on
page 517.
Owner Checks and Services on page 485tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and
lubricants to use are listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 489andNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 491.
When your vehicle is serviced, make sure these
are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL DIC message
comes on, it means that service is required
for your vehicle. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 202. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be reset.
Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer has GM-trained
service technicians who will perform this work
using genuine GM parts and reset the system.
479