ignition BUICK RAINIER 2007 Owner's Guide

The DRL system makes the headlamps come on
at reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps knob is in automatic
headlamp mode.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only the headlamps will be
on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
will not be on. The instrument panel will not be lit
up either.
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps
automatically switch from DRL to the regular
headlamps.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the Automatic
Headlamp System turns on the headlamps when
the vehicle is started and after the transaxle
has been shifted out of the PARK (P) position.
The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker, and parking
lamps will come on. The instrument panel lights
and radio lights will also turn on at normal
brightness. Once on, the system remains on
during these conditions even if the vehicle
is shifted back into PARK (P).
The vehicle has a light sensor on the top of the
instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered
or the system may come on whenever the
ignition is on and the vehicle is shifted out of
the PARK (P) position.
The system could also turn on the lamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
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There is a delay in the transition between the
daytime and nighttime operation of the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp
systems, so that driving under bridges or bright
overhead street lights does not affect the system.
The DRL and automatic headlamp system are only
affected when the light sensor sees a change in
lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on after the
transmission is shifted out of PARK (P). Once you
leave the garage, it will take about one minute
for the automatic headlamp system to change to
DRL if it is light outside. During that delay, the
instrument panel cluster might not be as bright as
usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position.
If the vehicle is running and the automatic
headlamp system is already on, it can be turned
off by turning and releasing the headlamp
control at the off position. The automatic headlamp
system stays off until you turn and release the
headlamp control at the off position again.
SeeHeadlamps on page 162.Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better vision in foggy or
misty conditions. The ignition must be in RUN for
the fog lamps to work.
The fog lamp button
is located on the
instrument panel to
the right of the exterior
lamps knob.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on.
Press the button again to turn them off. A light
glows near the button while the fog lamps are on.
Fog lamps turn off whenever the high-beam
headlamps are on.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
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Entry Lighting
The vehicle has entry lighting.
When any door is opened, the dome lamps come
on as long as the dome override lamp override
button is not pressed in. When all the doors
are closed, the lamps stay on for a short period of
time and then turn off automatically. If you use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
to unlock the vehicle, the interior lamps come on
for a short time whether or not the dome lamp
override is on.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. If the
dome override is off, these lamps stay on for a
short period of time and then go out.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located in the front console.
Press the lens on the lamps to turn the reading
lamps on or off.
Electric Power Management
This vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM), an advanced control
system. It estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge and then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage, you may
see the voltage move up or down. This is normal.
If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
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A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action may
be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or Battery
Voltage Low. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 202.Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, courtesy, and
vanity lamps if they are left on for more than
20 minutes when the ignition is off. This will keep
the battery from running down.
If the battery run-down protection shuts off the
interior lamps, it may be necessary to do one of
the following to return to normal operation:
Shut off all lamps and close all doors.
Turn the ignition key to RUN.
This feature will also turn off the parking lamps
and headlamps under most circumstances, if they
are left on. If you would like to turn them back
on, turn the exterior lamps knob.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With the accessory power outlets, you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
Your vehicle has three accessory power outlets.
There are two outlets located below the climate
controls and one outlet is on the rear of the center
oor console.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there
is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensors, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 68.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go out. This means the
system is ready.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly.
The airbags in your vehicle may not
inate in a crash, or they could even
inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds 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.
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your rearview mirror has a passenger airbag
status indicator.When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it means that
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled
(may inate).
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Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn on the
ignition, but the
engine is not running,
as a check to show you
it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it
stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with a
generator drive belt, or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition
is in RUN, this gage
shows your battery’s
state of charge in
DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage
may transition from a higher to lower or a lower to
higher reading, this is normal. Readings between
the low and high warning zones indicate the
normal operating range. The voltmeter gage may
also read lower when in fuel economy mode.
This is normal.
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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.
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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.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area,
the engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 382.
Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE DIC message will
accompany the light, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 202
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 411for more information.
This light will ash for approximately 70 seconds
and then turn on solid if a problem is detected with
the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 420
for more information.
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