brakes BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2007 Owner's Manual

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when you are in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift
lever.
PARK (P):This gear position locks your front
wheels. It is the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
must fully apply your regular brakes rst before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key
is in ON. As you step on the brake pedal, while
in PARK (P), you may hear a click from the
solenoid of the system. This ensures that the
system is operating properly. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
as you maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out
of Park (P) on page 138for more information.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
132

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 315.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up
rather slowly or not shift gears when you go
faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle
that way, you could damage the transaxle.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can
drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for
higher speeds until then.
Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when
the outside temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder.
You may notice that the transaxle will shift at
a higher vehicle speed until the engine is warmed
up. This is a normal condition designed to
provide heat to the passenger compartment and
defrost the windows more quickly.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. It reduces vehicle speed more than
DRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You might
choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) when
driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing
a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.
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Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h) may damage the transaxle. Also,
shifting into SECOND (2) at speeds above
65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in
THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up
rather slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears
as you go faster, something may be wrong with
a transaxle system sensor. If you drive very
far that way, your vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have your vehicle serviced
right away. Until then, you can use SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph
(55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher speeds.
FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than SECOND (2) without using your brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1),
the transaxle will not shift into rst gear until
the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle. If
you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located under the
instrument panel on the
driver’s side of the
vehicle.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 219.
135

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in
PARK (P) when the ignition is in the OFF position.
In addition, you must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P), when
the ignition is in the ON position. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 132.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear
you want.If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of
Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
138

=(Rear Wiper/Washer):To wash and wipe the
rear window, press the washer symbol on the
bottom of the switch. Washer uid will spray as
long as the switch is held in. When the switch
is released, the wiper will continue to cycle
three more times. There is only one washer uid
reservoir for the front and rear windshield
wipers. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 388.
To wash the rear window while the rear wiper is
already on, press the bottom of the switch.
Press the top of the switch to continue the
intermittent wiper cycle after the washing cycle is
completed.
The rear window washer uses the same uid
bottle as the windshield washer. However, the rear
window washer will run out of uid before the
windshield washer. If you can wash your
windshield but not your rear window, check the
uid level.
Remember that a damaged wiper blade may
prevent you from seeing well enough to drive
safely. To avoid damage, carefully clear ice and
snow from the wiper blade before using it. If
it is frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw the wiper blade. If your blade becomes
damaged, get a new blade or blade insert.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer uid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
disengages.
181

If an object is detected at a REVERSE (R) speed
of less than 3 mph (5 km/h), one of the following
will occur:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red lights &
continuous chime20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/red lights
ashing & continuous
chime1 ft 0.3 m
A chime will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet
(1.5 m) away.
URPA cannot detect objects that are above liftgate
level. In order for the rear sensors to recognize
an object, it must be within detection range behind
the vehicle.
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The light may ash red when the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R) if the ultrasonic sensors are
not kept clean. So be sure to keep your rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush.
Other conditions that may affect system
performance include things like the vibrations from
a jackhammer or the compression of air brakes
on a very large truck. If after cleaning the
rear bumper and then driving forward at least
15 mph (25 km/h), the display continues to ash
red, see your dealer.
If a trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a
bicycle or an object was on the back of, or hanging
out of your liftgate during your last drive cycle,
the light may also ash red. The light will continue
to ash whenever in REVERSE (R) until your
vehicle is driven forward at least 15 mph (25 km/h)
without any obstructions behind the vehicle.
For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 455.
198

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have an Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) warning light. If it does, the light should come
on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key
to ON. If the ABS warning light stays on longer than
normal after you have started your engine, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on and stays on when
you are driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on
again while you are driving, the ABS needs service
and you do not have anti-lock brakes.The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
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220

Low Fuel Warning Message
If your fuel is low, the warning message will come
on and stay on until you add fuel.
If the warning message is still on after adding fuel,
you need to reset the warning message. To
reset the warning message, turn the ignition off
and then back on. If the message stays on,
see your dealer.
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
If your brake uid is low, the warning message will
come on and stay on until you add brake uid.
The brake system warning light will also be
illuminated.
If this message appears, the brakes need
attention. You should have your vehicle serviced
immediately. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 219andBrakes on page 389.
If the warning message is still on after adding
uid, you may need to reset the warning message.
To reset the warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on. If the message stays on, see
your dealer right away.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle
go where you want it to go. They are the brakes,
the steering, and the accelerator. All three
systems have to do their work at the places where
the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 310.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 354.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 219.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
306

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 354.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS, this warning light on the
instrument panel will come on briey when you start
your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, ABS system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a
little. This is normal.
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