BUICK RAINIER 2007 Owner's Manual

For additional information and details about the DIC
operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 199andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 202.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the tire pressure monitor light, located on
the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message will appear when the
vehicle is rst started, and then turn off as you
start to drive the vehicle. This could be an
early indicator that the tire pressures are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and inated
to the ination pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
ination pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires
of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire ination
pressure for those tires.)As an added safety
feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with
a tire pressure
monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure
telltale when one
or more of your tires is
signicantly
under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a signicantly
under-inated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-ination also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-ination has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
421

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will ash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
The Tire and Loading Information label (tire
information placard) shows the size of your
vehicle’s original tires and the correct ination
pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are cold.SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 419. For the
location of the tire and loading information label,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 330.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 425andTires on page 411.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your
vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
TPMS Sensor Identication Codes
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identication
code. Any time you replace one or more of
the TPMS sensors or rotate the vehicle’s tires, the
identication codes will need to be matched to
the new tire/wheel position. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following
order: driver’s side front tire, passenger’s side
front tire, passenger’s side rear tire, and driver’s
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your dealer for service.
422

The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each
tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing
the tire’s air pressure. When increasing the tire’s
pressure, do not exceed the maximum ination
pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match the rst
tire/wheel position, and ve minutes overall to
match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer
than two minutes, to match the rst tire and
wheel, or more than ve minutes to match all four
tire and wheel positions the matching process
stops and you will need to start over.
The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined
below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to RUN with the
engine off.
3. Turn the headlamp control from off to parking
lamps four times within three seconds. A
double horn chirp will sound and the TPMS
low tire warning light will begin to ash.The double horn chirp and ashing TPMS
warning light indicate that the TPMS matching
process has started. The TPMS warning
light should continue ashing throughout the
matching procedure.
4. Start with the driver’s side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap
stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by
increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure
for 10 seconds, then stop and listen for a
single horn chirp. The single horn chirp should
sound within 15 seconds, conrming that
the sensor identication code has been
matched to this tire and wheel position. If you
do not hear the conrming single horn
chirp, you will need to start over with step
number one. To let air-pressure out of a tire
you can use the pointed end of the valve cap,
a pencil-style air pressure gage, or a key.
6. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
423

7. Proceed to the passenger’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
9. After hearing the conrming horn chirp for the
driver’s side rear tire, check to see if the
TPMS warning light is still ashing. If yes, turn
the ignition switch to LOCK to exit the
sensor matching process. If the TPMS warning
light is not ashing, the ve minute time
limit has passed and you will need to start the
process over beginning with Step 1.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air
pressure level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems
The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor.
If you replace one of the road tires with the spare,
the SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message will be
displayed on the DIC screen. This message should
go off once you re-install the road tire containing
the TPMS sensor.Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and Industry and Science Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
operates on a radio frequency and complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
operates on a radio frequency and complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and Science 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.
424

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 426
andWheel Replacement on page 432for
more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, use the wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
For information on storing or removing the
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 436.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve
more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
rst rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 479.When rotating your tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 330, for an example of
the label and its location on your vehicle.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors will need to be reset after a tire rotation.
See “TPMS Sensor Identication Codes” under
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 420.
425

Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 474.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 436.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is time for new tires is
to check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining. Some
commercial truck tires
may not have treadwear
indicators.
You need a new tire if any of the following
statements are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more
places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through
the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or
snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage
that cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
426

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for
your vehicle. The original equipment tires
installed on your vehicle, when it was new, were
designed to meet General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria Specication (TPC spec)
system rating. If you need replacement tires, GM
strongly recommends that you get tires with
the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed to
give the same performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over
a dozen critical specications that impact the
overall performance of your vehicle, including
brake system performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM’s TPC Spec number is molded
onto the tire’s sidewall by the tire manufacturer.
If the tires have an all-season tread design,
the TPC spec number will be followed by a MS,
for mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 412for additional information.{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires) the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on your
vehicle’s wheels.
427

{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on your vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those
that do not have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range, speed
rating, and construction type (radial and
bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s original tires.
Vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system may give an inaccurate low-pressure
warning if non-TPC spec rated tires are installed
on your vehicle. Non-TPC Spec rated tires
may give a low-pressure warning that is higher or
lower than the proper warning level you would
get with TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 420.Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information Label.
This label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 330,
for more information about the Tire and Loading
Information Label.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size
than your original equipment wheels and tires,
this may affect the way your vehicle performs,
including its braking, ride and handling
characteristics, stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as, anti-lock brakes, traction control,
and electronic stability control, the performance
of these systems can be affected.
428

{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are
selected. You may increase the chance
that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM specic wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a GM
certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 427and
Accessories and Modications on page 356for
additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
429

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specied
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
430