tow BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2004 Manual PDF

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s nish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning the Windshield, Backglass
and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
5-104

(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

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualied applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward eligible aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your vehicle
(hand controls, wheelchair/
scooter lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The offer is available for
a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. For more details, or to determine your
vehicle’s eligibility, see your GM dealer or call the
GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text
telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. All TTY users
call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium
Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered
under the 3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 km) new car
warranty (whichever occurs rst).
Our commitment to Buick owners has always included
superior service through our network of Buick dealers.
Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides an
extra measure of convenience and security.
Buick’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is staffed
by a team of technically trained advisors, who are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest Buick
dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
Lock-out service (identication required)
Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a at tire
Jump starts
7-6

Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-521-7300, or write:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
7-11

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

S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-46
Reminder Light............................................3-43
Safety Belts
Care of....................................................5-102
Center Rear Passenger Position....................1-42
Driver Position............................................1-28
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-27
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-26
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-44
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-38
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-37
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-46
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-36
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-22
Safety Chains.................................................4-46
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seat Recall....................................................3-71
Seats
Captain Chairs............................................1-14
Four-Way Manual Driver Seat......................... 1-3
Head Restraints............................................ 1-8
Heated Seats............................................... 1-6Seats (cont.)
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-5
Manual Passenger......................................... 1-3
Memory.....................................................2-49
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-9
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-6
Six-Way Power Seats.................................... 1-5
Split Bench Seats......................................... 1-9
Stowable Seat............................................1-18
Secondary Latch System.................................5-84
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position............................1-67
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-64
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-64
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-69
Security Message, PASS-Key
®III ......................3-55
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-46
Publications Ordering Information...................7-12
Traction System Warning Message.................3-50
Vehicle Soon Message.................................3-57
Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Engine Soon Light in the United States
or Check Engine Light in Canada..................3-46
14

Service Manuals.............................................7-12
Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only).....................3-102
Setting Preset Stations..................3-76, 3-87, 3-100
Setting the Time.............................................3-73
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)........3-76, 3-88, 3-100
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-105
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-29
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-30
Skidding........................................................4-17
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-22
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems....................5-101
Specications, Capacities...............................5-115
Speedometer..................................................3-41
Split Bench Seats............................................. 1-9
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-21
Steering........................................................4-13
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-14
Steering Tips..................................................4-13
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-129
Stereo RCA Jacks.........................................3-114
Storage Areas
Cell Phone Storage Area..............................2-39
Convenience Net.........................................2-44
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-39
Floor Console Storage Area..........................2-40
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-40
Glove Box..................................................2-39Storage Areas (cont.)
Overhead Console.......................................2-39
Rear Convenience Center.............................2-44
Rear Storage Area.......................................2-40
Roof Rack System.......................................2-41
Storage Compartment......................................2-39
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...............5-91
Stowable Seat................................................1-18
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-32
Sun Visors.....................................................2-15
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-40
Sunroof.........................................................2-48
Switchbanks, Instrument Panel..........................3-21
T
Tachometer....................................................3-42
Taillamps
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-53
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-52
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-128
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-15
PASS-Key
®III .............................................2-17
PASS-Key®III Operation..............................2-17
Tilt Mirror.......................................................3-72
15

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