engine BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2002 Service Manual

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.

3-7
Mode Buttons
VENT: This button turns the air conditioning
compressor on and off and changes the mode to
upper. The words A/C OFF are shown in the display.
Recirculation is not permitted when the compressor
is off. The system will try to control the temperature
automatically, but without the compressor.
(Recirculation): Press this button
(the recirculation symbol in the display will be lit) 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 recirculation symbol 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 recirculation button (the recirculation
symbol in the display will be lit) and turn the
temperature knob to the desired interior temperature.
Then, select the mode 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 recirculation button again (the recirculation
symbol will go off) to turn off recirculation.
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.

3-8
Heating
Turn the temperature knob to the desired interior
temperature 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 defrost the windows quickly, press the defrost button
and set the temperature to 90
F (32
C) and select a high
fan speed.
To warm passengers while keeping the window clear,
select the defog mode with the mode button (the defog
symbol will be lit). Select the fan speed for comfort and
windshield clearing performance.

3-9 Rear Window Defogger
Manual System
Automatic SystemPress the REAR button (the indicator light will glow) to
warm the defogger grid on the rear window. The engine
must be running for the defogger grid to warm up.
The system will turn off automatically after about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the defogger
will operate for about five minutes. You can also turn
the defogger off by turning the ignition to OFF or
by pressing the button again. The indicator light will
turn off.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the outside mirrors will also defrost when you press
this button.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.

3-11
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the most
enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first.
Find out what your audio system can do and how to
operate all of it's controls, to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold H until the correct hour appears. AM will
appear on the display for morning hours. Press and hold
M until the correct minute appears. The clock may be
set with the ignition on or off.
To set the clock to the time of an FM station
broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) information.
Press and hold H and M at the same time until TIME
UPDATED appears on the display. If the time is not
available from the station, NO UPDATE will appear on
the display.
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Automatic Tone Control and Radio
Data Systems (RDS)
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power): Push this knob to turn the system on
and off.
VOL (Volume): Turn this knob clockwise to
increase volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease
the volume.

3-42 Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.To help avoid hearing loss or damage do the following:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's engine, Delphi Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.

4-8
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. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your 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 engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your 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.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti
-lock brake 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.
United States Canada
If there's a problem with the anti
-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.

4-10
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine power
to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on when
the traction control system is limiting wheel spin. See
ªTRACTION ACTIVE Messageº in the Index. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.

4-12
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System (Option)
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
During heavy AWD applications, the engine torque may
be reduced to protect AWD system components. If the
vehicle is exposed to extended heavy AWD usage, the
AWD system will shut itself off to protect the system
from overheating. When the system cools down, the
AWD system will activate itself again automatically;
this cool
-down can take up to 20 minutes depending on
outside temperature and vehicle use. See ªAWD Disable
Warning Messageº in the Index.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems
-- steering and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. Refer to ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index.

4-17
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
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.