tow BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2002 Owner's Guide

2-122
Head-Up Display (HUD) (Option)
CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it's dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your field of view.
If your vehicle has this option, it can display the
speedometer reading in English or metric. The current
radio station, CD number and/or track number or tape
may also be displayed and will appear as an image
focused out toward the front of your vehicle.
The HUD is capable of displaying English or French.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC) Messagesº
earlier in this section to change the display from English
to metric.The Head
-Up Display also displays the following lights
and messages when they appear on the instrument
panel cluster:

Turn Signal Indicators

High
-Beam Indicator

Low
-Fuel Warning Message
See each of these features in the Index for
more information.
The Head
-Up Display also displays a CHECK GAGES
icon. The following messages could appear on the
instrument panel cluster when CHECK GAGES appears:

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Message

Low Oil Pressure Message

Charging System Indicator Message

Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
See each of these messages in the Index for
more information.

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you.
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has
a flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Dual Manual Comfort Control
Fan Knob
The left knob is used to select the force of air you want.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed and
counterclockwise to decrease fan speed. The fan must be
turned on for the air conditioning compressor to operate.Temperature Knob
The center knob controls the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn the knob clockwise
(toward the red area) for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise (toward the blue area) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob is used to select and determine the
direction of the air flowing into the vehicle.
(Upper): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets and the rear console outlets.
(Bi-Level): This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cooler air is directed toward your
upper body through the front instrument panel outlets
and the rear console outlets, while warmed air is
directed through the heater ducts at your feet.
(Lower): This setting brings in most of the air
through the floor ducts. It is also used to send air to the
rear of the vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats
free of objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of
the vehicle.

3-3
(Defog): This setting directs air to the windshield
and through the floor ducts. This mode is particularly
useful during cold or inclement weather because of your
vehicle's larger windshield area.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air to the
windshield and side window vents.
Mode Buttons
(Recirculation): Press this button (the light will
glow) to recirculate the air inside of your vehicle and to
limit the amount of outside air and/or odors entering
the vehicle.
Press this button again (the light will go off) to send
outside air into your vehicle. Using this setting while
trying to defrost or defog the windows will help clear
the vents of moisture. When the defog, defrost or lower
setting is selected, the system will automatically go to
outside air mode.
Operating the Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
(HVAC) system in the recirculation mode may cause
fogging of the vehicle's windows when the weather
is cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch the HVAC
system to either the defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed. To avoid refogging of the windows,
operate the HVAC system in the outside air mode.Air Conditioning
On very hot days, your vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows long
enough to let hot, inside air escape. For all settings,
adjust the temperature knob and fan speed as desired.
To get maximum cooling or a quick cool
-down on
very hot days, press the A/C and recirculation buttons
(the lights will glow) and turn the temperature knob
counterclockwise (toward the blue area). Then, adjust
the mode knob to direct the air to the desired location.
This setting should not be used for long periods of time
because the air may become too cold and dry.
Push the A/C button again (the light will go off) to turn
off the air conditioning.
When the air conditioner compressor is on, you may
sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle's engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while it maintains the
desired cooling level.
The air conditioner removes moisture from the air, so
you may sometimes notice water dripping from under
your vehicle's engine compartment when it is idling or
after it has been turned off. This is normal.

3-4
Heating
Turn the temperature knob clockwise (toward the red
area) to warm the air.
In the lower mode, outside air will be brought in and
sent through the floor outlets. The heater works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
The bi
-level setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
For the best results, move the temperature knob to the
middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.
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.
If your vehicle is equipped with an engine coolant heater
and you use it during cold weather, 0
F (
-18
C) or
lower, your heating system will provide heat more
quickly because the engine coolant is already warmed.
See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows.
To rapidly defrost the windshield, turn the temperature
knob all the way clockwise (to the red area) and turn the
mode knob to defrost. Adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To keep the windshield clear and bring in heated air
through the heater ducts, turn the mode knob to defog.
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will run in these settings to help
remove moisture from the air.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located on the top of the instrument panel. For
additional side window defogging, turn the mode knob
to the bi
-level setting and adjust the fan to the highest
speed. Aim the side vents on the instrument panel
toward the side windows. For increased airflow to the
side vents, close the center vents.
Operating the HVAC system in the recirculation mode may
cause fogging of the vehicle's windows when the weather is
cold and damp. To clear the fog, switch the HVAC system to
either the defog or defrost mode and increase the fan speed.
To avoid re
-fogging of the windows, operate the HVAC
system in the outside air mode.
For additional information, refer to ªRecirculationº
earlier in this section.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions.
We've also included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Your Driving, the Road and Your Vehicle
4
-3 Defensive Driving
4
-4 Drunken Driving
4
-7 Control of a Vehicle
4
-7 Braking
4
-10 Traction Control System (If Equipped)
4
-12 All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System (Option)
4
-12 Steering
4
-14 Off-Road Recovery
4
-15 Passing
4
-16 Loss of Control4
-17 Driving at Night
4
-19 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-22 City Driving
4
-23 Freeway Driving
4
-24 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-25 Highway Hypnosis
4
-26 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-28 Winter Driving
4
-32 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-34 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-36 Towing a Trailer

4-32
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle
-- such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as ªdinghy towingº (towing your
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and ªdolly
towingº (towing your vehicle with two wheels on
the ground and two wheels up on a device known
as a ªdollyº).With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See ªDinghy
Towingº and ªDolly Towing,º following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:

What's the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's recommendations.

How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.

Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your
dealer or trailering professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.

Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would
prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll want to
make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See
ªBefore Leaving on a Long Tripº in the Index.

4-33 Dinghy Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its
wheels on the ground. If you have a two
-wheel-drive
vehicle, it can be towed with two of its wheels on the
ground. See ªDolly Towingº following. If you have an
all
-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. It can be towed with car
carrier equipment.
NOTICE:
Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground, or even with only two of its
wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Don't tow an all
-wheel-drive vehicle
if any of its wheels will be on the ground.
Dolly Towing
If you have a two-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be towed
with two of its wheels on the ground. To dolly tow your
vehicle, do the following:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight
-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
If you have an all
-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be
towed with any of its wheels on the ground. It can be
towed with car carrier equipment.
NOTICE:
Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground, or even with only two of its
wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Don't tow an all
-wheel-drive vehicle
if any of its wheels will be on the ground.

4-36 Electronic Level Control (Option)
On vehicles equipped with the optional electronic level
control, the rear of the vehicle is automatically kept
level as you load or unload your vehicle. However, you
should still not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR.
See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in the Index.
If the key is in ACCESSORY, ON or when retained
accessory power (RAP) is active, you may hear the
compressor operating when you load your vehicle or
shortly after you start your vehicle, and periodically as
the system self
-adjusts. This is normal. See ªRetained
Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.
The compressor should operate for brief periods of time.
If the sound continues for an extended period of time
(longer than one minute) or occurs many times within
one trip, your vehicle needs service.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your dealer for advice
and information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.

4-37
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle. Additional rear axle
maintenance is required for a vehicle used to tow
a trailer. See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº
in the Index.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in ªWeight of the Trailerº
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That's the reason for this section. In it are many
time
-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load
-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What's more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.

4-38 If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:

There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you'll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.

Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.

Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.

Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don't drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.

You can use THIRD (3) (or, as you need to, a lower
gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle
in THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize
heat buildup and extend the life of your transaxle.Three important considerations have to do with weight:

the weight of the trailer,

the weight of the trailer tongue

and the weight on your vehicle's tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,400 lbs. (630 kg)
with up to five occupants in the vehicle or more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) with up to two occupants. If you
have the optional trailer towing package, your vehicle can
tow up to 2,900 lbs. (1 300 kg) with up to five occupants
or up to 3,500 lbs. (1 575 kg) with up to two occupants.
But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.