steering wheel BUICK RAINIER 2007 Owner's Guide

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake
linings cleaned and checked. These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension, wheels,
tires, and exhaust system for damage. Also, check
the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service
due to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
314

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R)
and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that does not get
your vehicle out after a few tries, it may need to
be towed out. If your vehicle does need to be
towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 337.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it was designed to carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication/Tire
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
330

Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connection,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just
move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
348

Service........................................................ 356
Accessories and Modications................... 356
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 357
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 357
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 358
Fuel............................................................. 358
Gasoline Octane........................................ 358
Gasoline Specications.............................. 358
California Fuel........................................... 359
Additives................................................... 359
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 360
Filling the Tank......................................... 361
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 363
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 364
Hood Release........................................... 364
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 366
Engine Oil................................................. 369
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 372
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 374
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 375
Engine Coolant.......................................... 379Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 382
Engine Overheating................................... 382
Cooling System......................................... 384
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 390
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 390
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 391
Brakes...................................................... 392
Battery...................................................... 396
Jump Starting............................................ 397
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 402
Rear Axle.................................................... 402
Front Axle................................................... 403
Bulb Replacement....................................... 404
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 404
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 405
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps............. 405
License Plate Lamp................................... 407
Replacement Bulbs................................... 407
Windshield Replacement............................ 408
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 408
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
353

How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly inated even when
they’re underinated. Check the tire’s ination
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
ination pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the tire and loading information label,
no further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. TPMS sensors are mounted on each tire
and wheel assembly, except the spare tire.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in
your vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver if a low
tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle
has the Driver Information Center (DIC) steering
wheel control buttons, tire pressure levels
may also be checked through the DIC. See “Tire
Pressures” underDIC Operation and Displays
on page 199.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the
TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure warning
symbol located on the instrument panel cluster, and
at the same time a message will also appear on the
DIC display. The low tire pressure warning symbol
on the instrument panel cluster and the CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning message on the DIC
will appear at each ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination pressure.
420

4. Press and release the switch to turn the air
inator on. The indicator light will remain on
when the inator is running.
The system has an internal clock to prevent
the system from overheating. The system
will allow about ve minutes of running time,
then the compressor will stop. The indicator
light will then begin to ash. When the indicator
is off, the inator can be started again by
pressing the switch. If the compressor is still
hot, it may only run for a short time before
shutting off again.
5. Press and release the switch to turn the
inator off.
Place the inator kit tools in the pouch and store it
in its proper location. Remove the inator hose
from the outlet during loading and unloading. Load
leveling will not function with the inator hose
attached to the inator outlet. SeeElectronically
Controlled Air Suspension System on page 337for
more information.
To reinstall the cover, line up the tabs at the back
of the cover, put it in place and latch the tabs.If the indicator light on the accessory inator
ashes continuously, it could indicate that there is
a malfunction in the air suspension system.
SeeElectronically Controlled Air Suspension
System on page 337for more information.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your vehicle’s
tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you
should ever have a blowout, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
435

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning ashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 154for more
information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)
436

Vehicle Data Collection and
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles,
has a number of sophisticated computer systems
that monitor and control several aspects of the
vehicle’s performance. Your vehicle uses on-board
vehicle computers to monitor emission control
components to optimize fuel economy, to monitor
conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help
the driver control the vehicle in difficult driving
situations. Some information may be stored during
regular operations to facilitate repair of detected
malfunctions; other information is stored only
in a crash event by computer systems,
such as those commonly called Event Data
Recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the
airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated,
such as data related to engine speed, brake
application, throttle position, vehicle speed, safety
belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag performance,and the severity of a collision. If your vehicle is
equipped with StabiliTrak
®, steering performance,
including yaw rate, steering wheel angle, and
lateral acceleration, is also recorded. This
information has been used to improve vehicle
crash performance and may be used to improve
crash performance of future vehicles and
driving safety. Unlike the data recorders on many
airplanes, these on-board systems do not
record sounds, such as conversation of vehicle
occupants.
To read this information, special equipment is
needed and access to the vehicle or the device
that stores the data is required. GM will not access
information about a crash event or share it with
others other than:
with the consent of the vehicle owner or,
if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of
the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or
similar government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through
the discovery process, or
as required by law.
510

Appearance Care (cont.)
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials.......... 462
Washing Your Vehicle.............................. 457
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades........................................ 459
Ashtray(s).................................................... 169
Audio System(s).......................................... 215
Audio Steering Wheel Controls................. 277
Care of Your CD and DVD Player............ 279
Care of Your CDs and DVDs................... 279
Chime Level Adjustment........................... 280
Fixed Mast Antenna................................. 279
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual......................... 260
Radio with CD................................217, 228
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................ 238
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)............................ 275
Setting the Time...................................... 217
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................ 276
Understanding Radio Reception............... 278
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...... 280
Automatic Headlamp System....................... 164
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................................ 375
Operation................................................. 114B
Battery........................................................ 396
Electric Power Management..................... 167
Run-Down Protection............................... 168
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................... 321
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)................. 287
Emergencies............................................ 289
Parking.................................................... 118
System Warning Light.............................. 186
Brake Pedal, Throttle................................... 112
Brakes........................................................ 392
Braking....................................................... 286
Braking in Emergencies............................... 289
Break-In, New Vehicle................................. 108
Bulb Replacement....................................... 404
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 404
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..................................... 405
License Plate Lamps................................ 407
Replacement Bulbs.................................. 407
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps............. 405
Buying New Tires........................................ 427
520

Service (cont.)
All-Wheel-Drive Light................................ 196
California Proposition 65 Warning............. 357
Doing Your Own Work............................. 357
Engine Soon Light................................... 190
Publications Ordering Information............. 517
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle......... 84
Setting the Time.......................................... 217
Sheet Metal Damage................................... 460
Shifting Into Park (P)................................... 119
Shifting Out of Park (P)............................... 120
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.................. 156
Spare Tire................................................... 453
Accessory Inator..................................... 434
Installing.................................................. 440
Removing................................................ 438
Storing..................................................... 450
Specications, Capacities............................ 474
Speedometer............................................... 179
StabiliTrak
®System..................................... 289
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light........................... 188
StabiliTrak®Service Light............................. 188
Starting Your Engine................................... 110
Steering...................................................... 294
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio................... 277
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel.......................... 154Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area................... 144
Convenience Net..................................... 146
Glove Box................................................ 144
Luggage Carrier....................................... 145
Overhead Console................................... 144
Rear Floor Storage Lid............................ 146
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow............... 329
Sun Visors.................................................. 105
Sunroof....................................................... 148
Suspension................................................. 337
T
Tachometer................................................. 179
Taillamps
Turn Signal Lamps................................... 405
Theft-Deterrent, Radio................................. 276
Theft-Deterrent Systems .............................. 105
Content Theft-Deterrent............................ 106
Passlock
®................................................ 107
Throttle, Adjustable...................................... 112
Tilt Wheel.................................................... 154
Tire
Pressure Light.......................................... 189
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