brake BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2002 User Guide

2-42
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel.

2-48
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it. Once
you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A
(resume/accelerate) briefly.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle will keep
going faster until you release the switch or apply the
brake. So unless you want to go faster, don't hold the
switch at R/A.Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll
now cruise at the higher speed.

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch. (To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly
and then release it. Each time you do this, your
vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will work whether or not you
have set an initial cruise control speed.

2-49
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce speed while using
cruise control:

Push in the SET button at the end of the lever until
you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal, or

move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-50
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control
is located to the left of the
steering column.
AUTO: Turning the control to this setting will activate
the automatic headlamp control when it is dark enough
outside and turn off all the lamps and lights during
the day.
Turning the control to this setting turns on
the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turning the control to this setting turns on
the following:

Headlamps

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Automatic Headlamp Control
When the exterior lamps control is turned to AUTO,
the headlamps and parking lamps will come on
automatically when it is dark enough outside.
The lamps will come on automatically if the following
conditions are met:

It is dark enough outside,

the ignition is in ON,

the parking brake is released, and

the exterior lamps control is in the AUTO position.

2-87 Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States CanadaThis light should come on briefly when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº and ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.

2-88
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
United States Canada
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the anti
-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you've started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you're 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're driving, the anti
-lock brake system needs
service and you don't have anti
-lock brakes.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
United States Canada
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC
OFF button located in the center console switchbank
the warning light will come on and stay on. To turn
the system back on, press the button again. The
warning light should go off. See ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index for more information.

If there's an engine
-related and brake system problem
that is specifically related to traction control, the
traction control system will turn off and the warning
light will come on. If the brake system problem is
caused by the brakes beginning to overheat, the
brakes will need to cool down before the traction
control system warning light will turn off.

2-95
Message Center
The message center is located at the top of the
instrument panel cluster in between the tachometer and
speedometer. It gives you important safety and
maintenance facts.
Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message center
when you turn on the
ignition as a check to
show you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running. It
should go out once the engine is running. If it stays on,
or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this indicator appears in the message
center could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Service Traction System Warning
Message (Option)
United States Canada
If your vehicle has the traction control system and this
message is displayed when you're driving, there may be
a problem with your traction control system. Your
vehicle may need service.
When this message is displayed, the traction control system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If there's an engine
-related and brake system problem
that is specifically related to traction control, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning message
will come on. If the brake system problem is caused by
the brakes beginning to overheat, the brakes will need to
cool down before the traction control system warning
message will turn off.
If the traction control system warning message comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

2-101 Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
United States Canada
If your brake fluid is low, the warning message will
come on and stay on until you add brake fluid.
If the warning message is still on after adding fluid, you
need to reset the warning message. To reset the warning
message, turn the ignition to OFF then to ON. If the
message stays on, see your dealer right away.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message
United States Canada
If your washer fluid is low, the warning message will
come on and stay on until you add washer fluid. See
ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index for adding
washer fluid instructions.
If the warning message is still on after adding fluid, you
need to reset the warning message. To reset the warning
message, turn the ignition to OFF then to ON. If the
message stays on, see your dealer right away.

2-102
Service Vehicle Soon Message
United States Canada
This light will come on if your vehicle has certain
non
-emission related problems.
For example, if the entire electrical system fails to send
and receive messages from the vehicle's components,
this message will come on.
These problems may not be obvious and may affect
vehicle performance or durability. Consult a qualified
dealership for necessary repairs to maintain top
vehicle performance.
AWD Disable Warning Message (Option)
United States Canada
You will receive this message when there is a spare tire
on the vehicle, when the anti
-lock brake system warning
light comes on, or when the rear differential fluid is in
an overtemp condition. The message will go out when
the differential fluid cools.
The all
-wheel-drive system will be disabled until the
compact spare tire is replaced by a full
-size tire. If the
warning message is still on after putting on the full
-size
tire, you need to reset the warning message. To reset the
warning message, turn the ignition to OFF then to ON.
If the message stays on, see your dealer right away. See
ªAll
-Wheel Driveº in the Index for more information.

2-105 Low Tire Pressure Message (If Equipped)
United States Canada
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. After the system has
been properly calibrated, the low tire pressure message
will come on and chime will sound if a pressure
difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire.
The message will stay on until you turn off the ignition
or reset (calibrate) the system. See ªCheck Tire Pressure
Systemº in the Index.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
ªAnti
-Lock Brake System Warning Lightº in the Index.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the display is located on the instrument
panel cluster in the tachometer gage. The DIC will show
information about the vehicle and the surroundings.
The DIC is capable of displaying English or French.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC) Messagesº
later in this section to change the display from English
to metric.