engine coolant BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2003 Owner's Guide

9. Thenfill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
COLD mark.
10. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steeringfluid reservoir is located to the right
of the windshield washerfluid reservoir, at the back
of the engine compartment.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steeringfluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. Afluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10for reservoir location.
5-31
2003 - Rendezvous OM

•Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir isfilled with DOT-3
brakefluid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brakefluid level in
the reservoir might go down. Thefirst is that the
brakefluid goes down to an acceptable level duringnormal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
thefluid level goes back up. The other reason is
thatfluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake systemfixed since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well,
or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to“top off”your brakefluid.
Adding brakefluid won’t correct a leak. If you addfluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too
muchfluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brakefluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brakefluid, it can spill on
the engine. Thefluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
5-33
2003 - Rendezvous OM

97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxleuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxleuid, change both
theuid andlter.150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-19for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-8
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever anyuids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuelfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-11for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-19for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washeruid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the properuid if necessary.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-32for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. SeeTires on
page 5-48for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-64for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
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. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
6-9
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-11.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-19.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulit-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Carrier
Assembly—
Differential
(Rear Drive
Module)
and Transfer
Case (Power
Transfer Unit)VERSATRAK™Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12378514, in Canada
88901045).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
Hinges, Rear
Folding SeatMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
6-15
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-80
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-108
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-109
Your CDs and DVDs ..................................3-109
Cargo Cover..................................................2-42
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-17
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)....................................5-42
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-80
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-80
Cell Phone Storage Area.................................2-38
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-38
Chains, Tires..................................................5-56
Change Engine Oil Message............................3-47
Charging System Indicator Message..................3-46
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-40
Tire Pressure System...................................5-49
Checking Coolant............................................5-20
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems
......................1-76
Chemical Paint Spotting
...................................5-83
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
...............................1-51
Infants and Young Children
...........................1-47
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
..........................1-59Child Restraints (cont.)
Older Children.............................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-61
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-63
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-61
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-65
Top Strap...................................................1-54
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-56
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-54
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-24
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-78
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Video Screen............................................3-110
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Your DVD Player.......................................3-109
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-81
Climate Control System...................................3-24
Dual ..........................................................3-27
Dual Automatic............................................3-29
Outlet Adjustment
........................................3-32
Compact Disc Errors
...............................3-71, 3-81
Compact Disc Messages
..................................3-93
Compact Spare Tire
........................................5-77
Compass Variance
..........................................3-54
3
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Content Theft-Deferrent
....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Center, Rear
...............................2-42
Convenience Net
............................................2-42
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Message
...........3-45
Heater, Engine
............................................2-21
Cooling System
..............................................5-24
Cruise Control
................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light
........................................3-43
Cupholder(s)
..................................................2-37
Current and Past Model Order Forms
................7-10
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-6
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices
........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government
.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
......... 7-9D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-3
Defogging and Defrosting.................3-26, 3-28, 3-31
Delayed Lighting.............................................3-16
Delayed Locking...............................2-9, 2-49, 3-60
Dinghy Towing................................................4-31
Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-16
Disarming with Your Key..................................2-16
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-32
Door
Ajar Warning Message.................................3-48
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Driver
Four-Way Manual Seat.................................. 1-2
Position, Safety Belt
.....................................1-24
Driver Behavior
................................................ 4-2
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.........................3-53
DIC Controls and Displays
............................3-55
DIC Vehicle Personalization
..........................3-57
Driving
At Night
.....................................................4-16
City
...........................................................4-20
4
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Driving (cont.)
Defensive..................................................... 4-3
Drunken....................................................... 4-4
Environment................................................. 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-25
Driving On Grades..........................................4-40
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-26
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-38
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-29
Dual Climate Control System............................3-27
DVD
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-110
Cleaning Your DVD Player..........................3-109
Distortion..................................................3-107
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-93
DVD Messages..............................................3-98
DVD Player....................................................3-96
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-85
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-86
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-86Electrical System (cont.)
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-86
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-42
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-15
Battery.......................................................5-36
Change Oil Message...................................3-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant......................................................5-19
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Message..........3-45
Cooling System Inspection............................6-13
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Low Oil Level Message................................3-47
Oil .............................................................5-11
Overheating................................................5-22
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................. 6-9
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-14
Engine Oil Level Check..................................... 6-9
Engine Specifications......................................5-93
Entering Programming Mode
....................2-46, 3-57
Entertainment System
Cleaning the Video Screen
..........................3-110
Cleaning Your DVD Player
..........................3-109
DVD Distortion
..........................................3-107
Entry Lighting
.................................................3-15
5
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Erasing HomeLink®Buttons..............................2-36
Exit Lighting...................................................3-16
Exiting Programming Mode.......................2-51, 3-64
Express-Down Window....................................2-14
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-44
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Fabric/Carpet.................................................5-78
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-15
Finding a PTY Station.....................................3-68
Finding a PTY Station (RDS and XM™) .....3-74, 3-85
Finding a Station............................3-66, 3-73, 3-83
Finish Care....................................................5-81
Finish Damage...............................................5-83
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-58
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-59
Floor Console Fuse Block................................5-87
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-17
Power Steering...........................................5-31
Windshield Washer......................................5-32
FM Stereo....................................................3-108
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-14
Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks.............1-7, 1-12
Folding the Seatback.......................................1-16
Following Distance..........................................4-38Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Four-Way Manual Driver Seat............................ 1-2
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-38
Front Console Storage Area.............................2-38
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-17
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-8
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-43
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Message.................................3-50
System Inspection.......................................6-13
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-86
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-34
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
6
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Gasoline (cont.)
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-36
Glass Surfaces...............................................5-80
Glove Box.....................................................2-37
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hatch Ajar Warning Message............................3-48
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp Exit Delay.......................2-47, 3-15, 3-57
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-86
Headlamps....................................................5-43
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headphones...................................................3-94
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-18
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Highbeam Out Warning Message......................3-53
Highway Hypnosis
...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
..................................4-24
Hitches
..........................................................4-37
HomeLink
®Transmitter
....................................2-34
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming
................2-34Hood
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-9
Release....................................................... 5-9
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How the System Works...................................3-22
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-26
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-28
How to Add Fluid............................................5-18
How to Check........................................5-17, 5-49
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-32
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-16
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-24
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-23
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-22
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-35
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-28
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-12
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-47
Inflation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-49
7
2003 - Rendezvous OM