ignition BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2003 Owner's Guide

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.
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The air bag readiness light shouldflash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have itfixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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.This 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. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-39andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-31.
{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.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle may have an anti-lock brake system
warning light. If it does, the 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 itfixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have a traction control system
warning light. 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 instrument panel
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. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-10for 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. United States
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If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If
you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-22.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the
United States or Check Engine Light in
Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK
ENGINE light comes on to indicate that there is a
problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will
be indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to United StatesCanada
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your vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modifications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
•Light Flashing—Amisfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center
diagnosis and service may be required.
•Light On Steady—An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
•Reducing vehicle speed.
•Avoiding hard accelerations.
•Avoiding steep uphill grades.
•If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stopsflashing and remains on steady, see“If
the Light Is On Steady”following.
If the light continues toflash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle.Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see“If
the Light Is On Steady”following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle
to your dealer or qualified service center for service.
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Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, see your dealer or qualified service
center to prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Cruise Control Light
The cruise light comes on whenever you set your cruise
control. See“Cruise Control”underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
Fuel Gage
When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little
fuel left, but you should get more soon.
If your fuel is low, the warning message in the message
center will come on. SeeLow Fuel Warning Message
on page 3-50.
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on. United States
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Here are four things that some owners ask about.
All these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
•At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
•It takes a little more (or less) fuel tofill up than the
gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full,
but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s
capacity tofill it.
•The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
•The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off.
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.
Service Traction System Warning
Message
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 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.United States
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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.
Low Oil Pressure Message
Your vehicle is equipped with a low oil pressure warning
message.
Your oil pressure message lets you know when you
may have a problem with your engine oil pressure.
When the engine is running and this message appears,
the engine oil level may be too low. There may also
be another problem causing low oil pressure.
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Low Tire Message
Your vehicle may have the check tire pressure system
which 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 a 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. SeeCheck Tire Pressure
System on page 5-49.
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.
Door Ajar Warning Message
This message will come on when the ignition is turned
to ON or START and the driver’s or passenger’s
door is open.
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message
This message will come on when the ignition is turned
to ON or START and the liftgate is open. United States
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PASS-Key®III Security Message
If you are ever driving and this message comes on and
stays on, you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off.
Your PASS-Key
®III system, however, is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key
®III system at
this time. SeePASS-Key®III on page 2-16for more
information.
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning
Message
Your vehicle may have this message. If it does, it will
come on when there is a spare tire on the vehicle, or
when the anti-lock brake system warning light comes on,
or when the rear differentialfluid is overheating. This
message will go out when the differentialfluid 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 off and
then back on again. If the message stays on, see your
dealer right away. SeeAll-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System on page 4-11for more information. United States
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