towing BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2004 Owner's Guide

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you are
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid, engine oil, belts,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you nd
them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a good idea to
review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may have a trailer wiring harness located
at the rear of your vehicle. To use the trailer wiring
harness, you need a converter kit. Contact your dealer
for more information.
4-50

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) 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 uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C)
At high speed for quite a while
In heavy traffic, especially in hot weather
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
drive longer.
5-21

Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-46. You also have
an engine coolant temperature warning message on
your instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message on page 3-51.
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 overheatprotection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant 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.
5-26

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-23for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
6-8

Cleaning Tires..............................................5-105
Cleaning Vinyl..............................................5-101
Climate Control System...................................3-28
Dual..........................................................3-32
Dual Automatic............................................3-35
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-38
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-98
Compass Variance..........................................3-60
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-7
Convenience Center, Rear...............................2-44
Convenience Net............................................2-44
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-46
Engine Temperature Warning Message...........3-51
Heater, Engine............................................2-22
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-39
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-13
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities.......................................... 7-6Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-11
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-12
D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-3
Defogging and Defrosting.................3-30, 3-34, 3-37
Delayed Lighting.............................................3-18
Delayed Locking.......................................2-9, 3-68
Dinghy Towing................................................4-34
Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-16
Disarming with Your Key..................................2-16
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-35
Door
Ajar Warning Message.................................3-54
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
4

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-50
Making Turns.................................................4-48
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-46
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-5
Manual Operation...........................................3-36
Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-3
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-49
Message
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning....................3-55
Center.......................................................3-50
Change Engine Oil......................................3-53
Charging System Indicator............................3-52
Door Ajar Warning.......................................3-54
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-51
Highbeam Out Warning................................3-59Message (cont.)
Low Brake Fluid Warning..............................3-57
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-56
Low Oil Pressure.........................................3-52
Low Tire .....................................................3-54
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-56
Park Lamp Warning.....................................3-59
PASS-Key
®III Security.................................3-55
Program Mode............................................3-58
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning..............................3-54
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning...........................................3-58
Service Traction System Warning...................3-50
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-57
Traction Active............................................3-51
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-33
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror....................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-33
Outside Power Mirror...................................2-32
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
10

Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-9
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-38
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-38
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-40
Rear Window Defogger...................3-31, 3-34, 3-38
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-32
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Remote Alarm.................................................. 2-6
Remote Control.............................................3-119
Remote Door Unlock.......................................3-69
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation............. 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low
Warning Message........................................3-58
Removing the Captain’s Chairs.........................1-15
Removing the Extended Rear Convenience
Center.......................................................2-45
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-87
Removing the Rear Convenience Center on
Vehicles with the Third Row Stowable Seat.....2-46
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-78
Removing the Split Bench Seat........................1-10
Removing the Stowable Seat............................1-19
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-54
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-42
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash.....1-83Replacing the Captain’s Chairs.........................1-16
Replacing the Extended Rear Convenience
Center.......................................................2-45
Replacing the Rear Convenience Center on
Vehicles with the Third Row Stowable Seat.....2-47
Replacing the Split Bench Seat.........................1-12
Replacing the Stowable Seat............................1-20
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-11
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink
®Button.......2-38
Resetting Defaults...........................................2-38
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-82
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-83
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-82
Replacing Parts...........................................1-83
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-21
Retro-Active Reset..........................................3-42
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-37
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out...................4-33
Roof Rack System..........................................2-41
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-13
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-31
13

Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tips and Trouble...........................................3-123
Tire
Low Message.............................................3-54
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-58
Tire Size.......................................................5-61
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-62
Tires.............................................................5-57
Buying New Tires........................................5-70
Chains.......................................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-77
Check Tire Pressure System.........................5-65
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-98
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-76
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-64
Inspection and Rotation................................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-71
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-72
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-72
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-69
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-22
Top Strap......................................................1-57
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-58
Torque Lock...................................................2-29Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-46
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-34
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-42
Your Vehicle...............................................4-33
Traction
Active Message...........................................3-51
Control System (TCS)..................................4-11
Control System Warning Light.......................3-45
Service Traction System Warning Message.....3-50
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-46
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-50
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-23
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)..................5-48
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-12
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-41
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-8
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-48
16