steering BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2006 Owner's Manual

Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
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{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the airbag might not inate properly
or it might force the object into that person
causing severe injury or even death. The path
of an inating airbag must be kept clear. Do
not put anything between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put anything on
the steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block
the ination path of a side impact airbag.
When Should an Airbag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags
are designed to inate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inate only
if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a
variety of desired deployment and non-deployment
events and are used to predict how severe a crash is
likely to be in time for the airbags to inate and help
restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will
or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is
traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction
of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags,
which adjust the restraint according to crash severity.
Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors
which help the sensing system distinguish between
a moderate and a more severe frontal impact.
For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inate
at a level less than full deployment. For more severe
frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of
your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not
move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced
deployment is about 12 to 20 mph (19 to 33 km/h),
and the threshold level for a full deployment is about
21 to 25 mph (34 to 40 km/h). (The threshold level can
vary, however, with specic vehicle design, so that it
can be somewhat above or below this range.)
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What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inator, which inates the airbag. The inator, the
airbag and related hardware are all part of the airbag
modules. Frontal airbag modules are located inside
the steering wheel and instrument panel. For seating
positions with side impact airbags, there are also
airbag modules in the side of the seatbacks closest
to the door.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the
frontal airbags would not help you in many types
of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion
is not toward the airbag. Side impact airbags would not
help you in many types of collisions, including many
frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and
then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s
frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe
side collisions for side impact airbags.
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What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?
After the airbag inates, it quickly deates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the airbag
inated. Some components of the airbag module may
be hot for a short time. These components include
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag and
the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag. For seating positions with side impact
airbags, the side of the seatback closest to the door may
be hot. The parts of the airbag that come into contact
with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.
There will be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents in the deated airbags. Airbag ination does
not prevent the driver from seeing or being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so. If you have breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an airbag inates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or a
door. If you experience breathing problems
following an airbag deployment, you should
seek medical attention.
In many crashes severe enough to inate an airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once. After an
airbag inates, you will need some new parts for your
airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
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Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, 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.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, or
an airbag covering (if equipped) on a seatback, the
airbag may not work properly. You may have to
replace the airbag module in the steering wheel,
both the airbag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, or both
the airbag module and the seatback for seating
positions with a side impact airbag (if equipped).
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
1-87

Your vehicle has the PASS-Key®III vehicle theft
system. The key has a transponder in the key head that
matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column.
If a replacement key or any additional key is needed,
you must purchase this key from your dealer. The
key will have PK3
®stamped on it. Keep the bar code
tag that came with the original keys. Give this tag to
your dealer if you need a new key made.
Any new PASS-Key
®III key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. SeePASS-Key®III on
page 2-17for more information on programming
your new key.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for more
information.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar
®system with
an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar
®may be able to send a command to
unlock your vehicle. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-32
for more information.
Remote Keyless Entry System
If equipped, the keyless entry system operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
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Message Center.............................................3-51
Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message...........3-51
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-51
Traction Active Message................................3-52
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message..................................................3-52
Charging System Indicator Message................3-53
Reduced Engine Power Message....................3-53
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-54
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-55
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-55
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message..................3-55
Check Gas Cap Message..............................3-56
PASS-Key
®III Security Message....................3-56
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message.......3-56
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-57
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-57
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-58
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-58
Program Mode Message................................3-59
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning Message...............................3-59
Parking Lamp Warning Message.....................3-60
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-60Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-60
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-62
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-64
Audio System(s).............................................3-74
Setting the Time...........................................3-75
Radio with CD..............................................3-76
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-87
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-100
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-114
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-115
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-129
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-132
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-132
Radio Reception.........................................3-133
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-134
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-135
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-135
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-135
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-135
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior/Interior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14andInterior Lamps on page 3-16.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-38.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-23.
F. Instrument Panel Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment
on page 3-36.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-74.
H. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-132.
I. Head-Up Display Switch and Driver Information
Center (DIC) Controls (If Equipped). SeeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 3-21andDIC Controls
and Displays on page 3-62.J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-9.
K. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-20.
L. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-28,Dual Climate Control System
on page 3-30orDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-33.
M. Instrument Panel Switchbank. SeeInstrument Panel
Switchbank on page 3-20.
N. Front Armrest Storage. SeeFront Armrest Storage
Area on page 2-39.
O. Ashtray/Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power
Outlet/Cell Phone Storage/Cupholders. See
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-27,
Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-26,Cell Phone
Storage Area on page 2-39,Floor Console Storage
Area on page 2-39andCupholder(s) on page 2-38.
P. Floor Console Fuse Block. SeeFloor Console
Fuse Block on page 5-101.
Q. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-38.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in
the ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to
the highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
wheel and pull the lever.
Then move the wheel
to a comfortable position
and release the lever
to lock the wheel in place.
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Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-7.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-8.
WIPERNWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9.
LPUSHWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-9.
CRUISEICruise Control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster and the HUD
display will ash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
ashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.
3-7