warning BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2003 Owner's Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................1-19
Child Restraints
.......................................1-45
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-67
Restraint System Check
............................1-76
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-32
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-37
Sunroof
..................................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-46
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-33
Message Center
.......................................3-44
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
........................................3-53
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-64Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under
the Hood
............................................... 5-9
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-41
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-47
Tires
......................................................5-48
Appearance Care
.....................................5-77
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-85
Electrical System
......................................5-85
Capacities and Specications
.....................5-92
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-93
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Buick Rendezvous Owner ManualM
2003 - Rendezvous Owner Manual

Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s
in the manual, and the page number where you’llfind it.
SafetyWarnings and Symbols
You willfind a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
or others could be hurt.
You will alsofind a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means“Don’t,”
“Don’t do this”or“Don’t let
this happen.”
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you willfind these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need helpfiguring out a specificnameofa
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
•Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
•Features and Controls in Section 2
•Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
•Climate Controls in Section 3
•Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
•Audio System(s) in Section 3
•Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn the key to four
different positions.
A (OFF):This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This position locks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle.Notice:If your key seems stuck in OFF and you
can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers while the
engine is off. This position will allow you to turn off
the engine, but still turn the steering wheel. Use
ACCESSORY if you must have your vehicle in motion
while the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle
is being pushed or towed.
C (ON):This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the key.
The switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But
even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical power accessories, and to
display some instrument panel warning lights.
D (START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON for normal driving.
If the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and ON are
positions that allow you to operate your electrical
accessories, such as the radio.
2-19
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located on the driver’s side
under the instrument
panel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down on the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-38.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot while you push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot. (To release
the tension on the parking brake cable, you will need to
apply about the same amount of pressure to the
parking brake pedal as you did when you set the parking
brake.) When you remove your foot from the parking
brake pedal, it will pop up to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-34. That section shows
what to dofirst to keep the trailer from moving.
2-25
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-5
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-18
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-21
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-23
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Climate Control System.................................3-24
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-27
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-29
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-32
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-34
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-37
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light
..........................3-38
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
.............3-39Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Fuel Gage...................................................3-43
Message Center.............................................3-44
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-44
Traction Active Message................................3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message..................................................3-45
Charging System Indicator Message................3-46
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-46
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-47
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-47
Low Tire Message........................................3-48
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-48
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message..................3-48
PASS-Key
®III Security Message....................3-49
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message.......3-49
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-50
Low Fuel Warning Message
...........................3-50
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
.................3-51
Service Vehicle Soon Message
.......................3-51
Program Mode Message
................................3-52
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning Message
...............................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Park Lamp Warning Message.........................3-53
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-53
Driver Information
Center (DIC)................................................3-53
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-55
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-57
Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Setting the Time...........................................3-65
Radio with CD
..............................................3-65
Radio with Cassette and CD
..........................3-71
Radio with Six-Disc CD
.................................3-82
Rear Seat Entertainment System
....................3-93Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-105
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-106
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-107
DVD Distortion............................................3-107
Understanding Radio Reception....................3-108
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-108
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-109
Care of Your CD and DVD Player.................3-109
Cleaning Your DVD Player...........................3-109
Cleaning the Video Screen...........................3-110
Integrated Windshield Antenna......................3-110
XM™Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only)
.................................3-110
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The main components of the instrument panel are the
following:
A. Exterior/Interior Lamps Control
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Shift Lever
F. Instrument Panel Outlets
G. Audio System
H. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
I. Head-Up Display Switch and Driver Information
Center (DIC) Controls
J. Hood Release
K. Ignition Switch
L. Climate Controls
M. Instrument Panel Switchbank
N. Front Armrest Storage
O. Ashtray/Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power
Outlet/Cell Phone Storage/Purse Storage/Cupholders
P. Floor Console Fuse Block
Q. Glove BoxHazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
3-5
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The hazard warning
flasher button is located on
top of the steering
column.
Your hazard warningflashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lampsflash on and off. Press the button again to
turn theflashers off.
When the hazard warningflashers are on, the turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level to
give your legs more room when you exit and enter
the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steering wheel and pull the
lever.
Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable position
and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
3-6
2003 - Rendezvous OM

5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Lamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened and you turn the ignition to
OFF while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered. The DRL
system will make your reduced intensity high-beam
headlamps come on in daylight when:
•The ignition is on,
•the exterior lamps control is in AUTO, and
•the shift lever is not in PARK (P).When the DRL are on, only your reduced intensity
high-beam headlamps will be on. Your instrument panel
won’t be lit up.
When it’s dark enough outside, the exterior lamps will
come on automatically. When it’s bright enough outside,
the exterior lamps will go out and the DRL will turn
on. Of course, you may still turn on the headlamps any
time you need to.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When the exterior lamps control is turned to AUTO, the
headlamps and parking lamps will come on
automatically when it is dark enough outside.
The lamps will come on automatically if:
•It is dark enough outside,
•the ignition is in ON,
•the parking brake is released, and
•the exterior lamps control is in the AUTO position.
3-13
2003 - Rendezvous OM