engine BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2003 Owner's Guide

Instrument Panel Switchbank
There is an instrument panel switchbank located below
the comfort controls. It contains switches or blanks
that will vary with the options that are on your vehicle.
The switches you may have are:
•Rear Window Wiper/Washer
•Liftgate Release
•Traction Disable
•Park Aid Disable
•Heated Seats (driver’s and passenger’s)
For more information, see each of these features in the
Index.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{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 the HUD, 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.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 3-55to 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
•Low Oil Pressure
•Charging System Indicator
•Low Brake Fluid Warning
3-18
2003 - Rendezvous OM

To adjust the HUD so you can see it properly:
1. Start your engine and turn the dimmer knob to the
desired HUD image brightness.
The brightness of the HUD image is determined by
the ambient light conditions in the direction your
vehicle is facing and where you have the HUD
dimmer knob set. If you are facing a dark object or
a heavily shaded area, your HUD may anticipate
that you are entering a dark area and may begin
to dim.
2. Adjust the driver’s seat. If you change your seat
position, you may have to readjust your HUD.
3. Press the UP or DN buttons until the HUD image is
easy to see and then press the DN button until the
HUD image is as low as possible, but remains
in full view straight ahead near the front bumper.
The HUD image can only be adjusted up and down,
not side-to-side.
4. To turn the image off, turn the dimmer knob
counterclockwise until it stops.
If the sun comes out or it becomes cloudy, you may
need to adjust the HUD brightness again using
the dimmer knob. Polarized sunglasses could make the
HUD image harder to see.When youfirst start the vehicle the display will show
BUICK and the Buick logo for a few seconds. If it is cold
outside, this display may stay on for up to a minute.
Clean the inside of the windshield as needed to remove
any dirt orfilm that reduces the sharpness or clarity
of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD, spray household glass cleaner on a
soft, clean cloth. Wipe the HUD lens gently, then dry
it. Do not spray cleaner directly on the lens because the
cleaner could leak into the unit.
If the ignition is on and you can’t see the HUD image,
check to see if one of the following conditions exist:
•The HUD unit is covered,
•the HUD dimmer knob is adjusted incorrectly,
•the HUD image is not adjusted to the proper height,
•ambient light (in the direction your vehicle is
facing) is low, or
•a fuse is blown. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-86.
If you ever have to have your windshield replaced, be
sure to get one that is designed for the HUD or your
HUD image may look blurred and out of focus.
3-20
2003 - Rendezvous OM

)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining
air to thefloor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to thefloor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets. Use this mode 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.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see“Defogging and
Defrosting”later in this section.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob to 0 to turn off the fan. The fan must
be turned on for the air conditioning compressor
to operate.
@(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light will
come on. The air-conditioning compressor also comes
on. The recirculation mode can be used with vent
and bi-level modes, but it cannot be used withfloor,
defog, defrost or outside air modes.Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the air
temperature inside your vehicle.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the coolest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
4. Select A/C.
5. Select the recirculation mode.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
3-25
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate controls system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air to the windshield
and thefloor outlets. When you select this mode,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
0(Defrost):Pressing this button directs most of the
air to the windshield and the side window outlets,
with some air directed to thefloor outlets. In this mode,
the system will automatically turn off recirculation
and run the air-conditioning compressor, unless theoutside temperature is at or below freezing.
Recirculation cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximatelyfive
minutes before turning off. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’tbe
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
3-26
2003 - Rendezvous OM

on. The recirculation mode can be used with vent and
bi-level modes, but it cannot be used withfloor,
defog, defrost or outside air modes.
Temperature Control:Use the driver’s and
passenger’s temperature levers to increase or decrease
the air temperature inside your vehicle.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the coolest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
4. Select A/C.
5. Select the recirculation mode.Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate controls system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air to the windshield
and thefloor outlets. When you select this mode,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
3-28
2003 - Rendezvous OM

0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets, with some
air directed to thefloor outlets. In this mode, the system
will automatically turn off recirculation and run the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot
be selected while in the defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximatelyfive
minutes before turning off. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’tbe
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
Your vehicle may have the dual automatic climate
control system. With this system you can control the
heating, cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When the driver’s temperature
knob is pressed to select AUTO and the temperature is
set, the system will automatically control the inside
temperature, the air delivery and the fan speed. AUTO
will also appear on the display.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the driver’s temperature knob.
3-29
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Temperature Control:Use the DRIVER knob to
increase or decrease the air temperature inside your
vehicle. If the front passenger would like the temperature
to be warmer or cooler, use the PASS knob to adjust
the passenger’s temperature.
Air Conditioning:The air-conditioning compressor will
automatically come on when a temperature cooler
than the interior temperature is chosen using the
temperature knobs.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select the coolest temperature.
4. Select the highest fan speed.Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate controls system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
Use the MODE button to select the defog mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air to the windshield and
thefloor outlets. When you select this mode, the
system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
Press the defrost button to select defrost.
3-31
2003 - Rendezvous OM

0(Defrost):Pressing this button directs most of the
air to the windshield and the side window outlets,
with some air directed to thefloor outlets. In this mode,
the system will automatically turns off recirculation
and run the air-conditioning compressor, unless
the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
Recirculation cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximatelyfive
minutes before turning off. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed.Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’tbe
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knob located in the center of the outlet, to
change the direction of the airflow.
Operation Tips
•Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets on the hood that may block theflow of air
into your vehicle.
•Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
•Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside your vehicle more
effectively.
3-32
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly–and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle also has a message center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. SeeMessage
Center on page 3-44.
3-33
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Retro-Active Reset
The trip odometer has a feature called retro-active
reset. This feature can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of miles or kilometers driven since the
ignition was last turned on. This can be used if you
forget to reset your trip odometer at the beginning of a
trip. To use the retro-active reset feature, push and
hold the trip/reset button for at least three seconds.
The trip odometer will then display the number of miles
or kilometers driven since the ignition was last turned
on and you began driving. (If you use the retro-active
reset feature after you have started the vehicle, but
before you begin moving, the display will show
the number of miles or kilometers you drove during the
last ignition cycle.) Once you begin driving, the trip
odometer will accumulate mileage. For example, if you
have driven 5.0 miles (8.0 km) since you started
your vehicle, and then activate the retro-active reset
feature, the display will show 5.0 miles (8.0 km). As you
drive, the display will then increase to 5.1 miles
(8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the red area, or engine damage may
occur.
3-36
2003 - Rendezvous OM