warning light BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2003 Owner's Guide

Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You’ll save time and energy.
See the next part,“Freeway Driving.”
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth trafficow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
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You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washeruid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, aashlight, a red
cloth and a couple of reective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions, include a
small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet
the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation.
You’ll have a lot less traction or“grip”and will need to
very careful.What’s the worst time for this?“Wet ice.”Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer
the least traction of all. You can get wet ice when it’s
about freezing (32°F; 0°C) and freezing rain begins
to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand
crews can get there.
Whatever the condition—smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow—drive with caution.
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When your brakefluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
What to Add
When you do need brakefluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brakefluid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15.
Always clean the brakefluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind offluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
fluid.
Notice:
•Using the wrongfluid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind offluid.
•If you spill brakefluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paintfinish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brakefluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”in the Index. United States
Canada
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedalfirmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes arefirst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-14.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system–for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in–be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If
you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly.
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may not come on even if the tire pressure is low, or it
may come on when the tire pressure is actually normal:
•more than one tire is low,
•only one tire is replaced with a new tire during
service,
•the vehicle is moving faster than 70 mph (113 km/h),
•the system is not yet calibrated,
•the tire treadwear is uneven,
•the compact spare tire is installed,
•tire chains are being used, or
•the vehicle is being driven on a rough or
frozen road.
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
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39.
The check tire pressure system detects differences
in tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in
tire pressure. The system can alert you about a low
tire–but it doesn’t replace normal tire maintenance.
SeeTires on page 5-48.
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO
RESET message appears on the Driver Information
Center and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message comes
on the message center, you should stop as soon asyou can and check all your tires for damage. If a tire is
flat, seeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-58. Also check
the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can.
SeeInflation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-49.
Any time you adjust a tire’s pressure or have one or more
tires repaired or replaced, you’ll need to reset (calibrate)
the check tire pressure system. You’ll also need to reset
the system whenever you rotate the tires, buy new tires
and install or remove the compact spare.
Don’t reset the check tire pressure system withoutfirst
correcting the cause of the problem and checking
and adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset
the system when the tire pressures are incorrect,
the check tire pressure system will not work properly
and may not alert you when a tire is low or high.
To reset the system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
2. Press the MODE button until the DIC reads LOW
TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO RESET.
3. Press and hold the SET button until you hear a
chime and TIRE PRESSURE RESET is displayed.
You will hear three chimes and the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE message will go off and the DIC will return
to TIRE PRESSURE NORMAL. If the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE message comes back on, the check tire
pressure system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
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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, 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
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.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course asa tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly 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 specified 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.
Temperature–A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
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Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure
your spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you canfinish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s
best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in
good shape in case you need it again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed, don’t
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’tfit. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains won’tfit your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on
your compact spare.
All-Wheel Drive
After installing a compact spare tire on a vehicle with
all-wheel drive you will need to drive with light to
moderate acceleration, for 10 seconds, in a straight line.
This action will allow the vehicle to detect the compact
spare tire and disable the all-wheel drive system.
The AWD DISABLE message will come on indicating
that the all-wheel drive system is off. You may detect a
slight pull during this time, but this is normal.
Notice:You may damage your vehicle’s all-wheel
drive system if your vehicle is driven for an
extended period with a compact spare tire installed
and the all-wheel drive system in operation. See
“All-Wheel Drive System”and“AWD Disable
Warning Message”in the Index for more
information.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst intoflames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed
space. When you use anything from a container to clean
your vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
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A
About Driving Your Vehicle.....................................ii
Accessory Inflator...........................................5-57
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-23
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-32
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-85
Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs
(Second Row).............................................1-12
Adjusting the Speakers....................3-67, 3-74, 3-84
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-67
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-73
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-76
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-73
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?......1-74
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-72
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-70
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-15
All Overseas Locations...................................... 7-4
All-Wheel Drive......................................5-41, 5-77
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message..........3-49
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-11
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..................5-82
AM .............................................................3-108
Antenna, Integrated Windshield.......................3-110Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-110
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-8
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-39
Appearance Care............................................5-77
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-80
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-83
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-78
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-80
Finish Damage............................................5-83
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-83
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Arming with the Power Lock Switch...................2-15
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter
.................................................2-16
Ashtrays
........................................................3-24
Audio Speakers
..............................................3-95
Audio System(s)
.............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
....................3-107
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
...............3-108
Care of Your CD and DVD Player
................3-109
Care of Your CDs and DVDs
.......................3-109
Integrated Windshield Antenna
.....................3-110
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-71
Radio with CD
............................................3-65
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................3-82
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
...............................3-105
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Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time..........................................3-65
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-106
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-108
XM™Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-110
Auto Door Lock/Unlock....................................3-59
Automatic Door Lock/Unlock.............................2-48
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Level Control...................................4-33
Automatic Operation........................................3-29
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-17
Operation...................................................2-22
Automatic Transaxle Check..............................6-10
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-11
B
Backing Up....................................................4-39
Battery..........................................................5-36
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Before You Drive............................................3-94
Bench Seat, Split............................................. 1-7
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-10
Brake
Low Fluid Warning Message.........................3-51
Parking......................................................2-25Brake (cont.)
System Inspection.......................................6-14
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brake Fluid....................................................5-33
Brake Wear...................................................5-35
Brakes..........................................................5-33
Braking........................................................... 4-7
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-42
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamps.................................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-46
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-45
Buying New Tires...........................................5-53C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Canceling the Rear Door Security Locks............2-10
Capacities and Specifications............................5-92
Captain Chairs, Rear.......................................1-12
Carbon Monoxide...................4-25, 4-34, 2-11, 2-29
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Content Theft-Deferrent
....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Center, Rear
...............................2-42
Convenience Net
............................................2-42
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Message
...........3-45
Heater, Engine
............................................2-21
Cooling System
..............................................5-24
Cruise Control
................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light
........................................3-43
Cupholder(s)
..................................................2-37
Current and Past Model Order Forms
................7-10
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-6
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices
........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government
.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
......... 7-9D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-3
Defogging and Defrosting.................3-26, 3-28, 3-31
Delayed Lighting.............................................3-16
Delayed Locking...............................2-9, 2-49, 3-60
Dinghy Towing................................................4-31
Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter.................................................2-16
Disarming with Your Key..................................2-16
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-32
Door
Ajar Warning Message.................................3-48
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Driver
Four-Way Manual Seat.................................. 1-2
Position, Safety Belt
.....................................1-24
Driver Behavior
................................................ 4-2
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.........................3-53
DIC Controls and Displays
............................3-55
DIC Vehicle Personalization
..........................3-57
Driving
At Night
.....................................................4-16
City
...........................................................4-20
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