trailer BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2003 Owner's Guide

Engine Overheating
You willfind an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-40. You also have
an engine coolant temperature warning message on
your instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message on page 3-45.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternatesfiring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See“Engine Oil”in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-22
2003 - Rendezvous OM

CAUTION: (Continued)
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catchfire. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
See“Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode”in the Index for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:If your engine catchesfire because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”in the Index for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
•Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving–AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxlefluid andfilter 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 do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-15for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace
the lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-15for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-15for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
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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.
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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
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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
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-41
Making Turns.................................................4-39
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Operation...........................................3-30
Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7
Memory Seat.................................................2-52
Message
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning....................3-49
Center.......................................................3-44
Change Engine Oil......................................3-47
Charging System Indicator............................3-46
Door Ajar Warning.......................................3-48
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-45
Highbeam Out Warning................................3-53
Low Brake Fluid Warning..............................3-51
Low Engine Oil Level...................................3-47
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-50
Low Oil Pressure.........................................3-46
Low Tire .....................................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning
...........................3-50
Park Lamp Warning
.....................................3-53
PASS-Key
®III Security
.................................3-49
Program Mode
............................................3-52
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning
..............................3-48
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning
...........................................3-52
Service Traction System Warning
...................3-44
Service Vehicle Soon
...................................3-51Message (cont.)
Traction Active............................................3-45
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico
and U.S. Virgin Islands)................................. 7-4
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror....................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-32
Outside Power Mirror...................................2-31
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-93
O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-11
Pressure Message.......................................3-46
Older Children, Restraints................................1-45
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-33
OnStar®Services............................................2-33
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-56
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-36
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-34
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Active Message...........................................3-45
Control System (TCS)..................................4-10
Control System Warning Light.......................3-39
Service Traction System Warning Message.....3-44
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-37
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-41
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-17
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)..................5-41
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual.............................................. 7-9
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-39U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-21
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-12
Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-89
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-108
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-54
United States................................................... 7-4
Unlock Feedback............................................3-61
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-56
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-78
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-36
Using RDS
....................................................3-67
Using Song List Mode
.....................................3-92
V
Vehicle
Control
........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Design
......................................................... 4-3
Loading
......................................................4-32
Service Soon Message
.................................3-51
Symbols
......................................................... iv
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-85
Service Parts Identification Label...................5-85
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-46
Automatic Door Lock/Unlock..........................2-48
Delayed Locking..........................................2-49
DIC ...........................................................3-57
Entering Programming Mode.........................2-46
Exiting Programming Mode...........................2-51
Headlamp Exit Delay...................................2-47
Memory Seat..............................................2-52
Remote Driver Unlock Control.......................2-50
Remote Lock and Unlock Confirmation...........2-50
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-36
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-32
Video Screen.................................................3-96
Vinyl.............................................................5-79
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-14
Visors...........................................................2-14
W
Warm-Up Shift................................................2-24
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-33
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-5
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. ivWasher Fluid Low Warning Message.................3-50
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-81
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-10
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-35
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-36
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-13
What to Do with Used Oil ................................5-15
What to Use ..........................................5-20, 5-32
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-55
Replacement...............................................5-55
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-12
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System).....................................................5-14
When to Check..............................................5-49
When to Check and Change............................5-17
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-31
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....5-15
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill.........................................4-41
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-54
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-20
Window Lock Out...........................................2-14
Windows.......................................................2-13
Power ........................................................2-14
Windshield, Backglass and Wiper Blades...........5-82
Windshield Washer
........................................... 3-9
Fluid
..........................................................5-32
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
................. 6-9
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2003 - Rendezvous OM