tow BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2005 Owner's Guide

All-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive, your engine’s driving
power is sent to all four wheels for extra traction
when needed.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It
is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for
road conditions.
You may experience a brief vehicle vibration upon
acceleration when driving in slippery conditions. This is
normal and is an indication that the all-wheel drive
system is functioning properly.
Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located under the
instrument panel on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.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 3-44.
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. When you
lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop
up to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
2-26

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the
shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-27

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-38.
2-30

Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If the vehicle has this feature, it can be helpful when
parallel parking. The passenger’s outside rearview mirror
will tilt towards the curb when the vehicle is shifted
into REVERSE (R) and return to its previous position
when the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R). If
further adjustment is needed, the power mirror controls
can be used. SeeOutside Power Mirror on page 2-31.
Also seeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-66
for information on how to turn this feature on and off.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver’s seat. It also makes things appear farther
away than they really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
If the vehicle has this feature, the outside rearview
mirrors are heated when the rear window defogger is
turned on. See “Rear Window Defogger” underClimate
Control System on page 3-28,Dual Climate Control
System on page 3-30,orDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-33.
2-32

Cupholder(s)
There are two cupholders located in the oor console.
The cupholders have liners that remove for larger
beverage items. Remove the liners by lifting them out.
Your vehicle has cupholders located in the rear seat
armrests if it has a split folding rear seat. If your vehicle
has captain’s chairs, there are cupholders on the
sides of the seats. If your vehicle has a stowable seat,
there are cupholders in the center of the seat.
Cell Phone Storage Area
Your vehicle has a cell phone storage compartment
located on the oor console storage closest to the
driver’s seat. Lift the lid to use the storage compartment.
The compartment has an accessory power outlet for
charging the cell phone.
Overhead Console
If your vehicle has an overhead console, it may contain
a storage compartment, a sunglasses storage
compartment, and HomeLink
®Transmitter buttons.
SeeHomeLink®Transmitter on page 2-34for more
information.If your vehicle has the OnStar
®System, the OnStar®
buttons will replace the storage compartment. See
OnStar®System on page 2-33for more information.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the mini console contains
the HomeLink
®Transmitter buttons and the OnStar®
buttons.
Storage Compartment
To open the storage compartment located at the front of
the overhead console, press the release latch forward.
Then pull the compartment down to the full open position.
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
To open the sunglasses storage compartment in the
overhead console, press the release button. Then pull
the compartment down to the full open position.
Floor Console Storage Area
The oor console storage area contains two cupholders,
an ashtray, and a cellular phone storage compartment
with a cigarette lighter/accessory power outlet.
Below the oor console storage, there is another
storage area with two integrated convenience nets.
2-39

Rear Convenience Center
{CAUTION:
If any removable convenience item is not
secured properly, it can move around in a
collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle
could be injured. Be sure to secure any such
item properly.
Your vehicle may have a rear convenience center. The
rear convenience center can be used to organize
and store items in your vehicle.
The extended rear convenience center, without the
optional third row stowable seat, has a forward bin and
rear bin. The rear convenience center, with the optional
third row stowable seat, contains one storage bin.
To use the convenience center, remove the carpeted
mat and lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to
open the storage bin.
The extended rear convenience center has a maximum
weight capacity of 400 lbs (181.6 kg) on top.
The shorter rear convenience center that comes with
the optional third row stowable seat has a maximum
weight capacity of 100 lbs (45.4 kg) on top.
Removing the Extended Rear
Convenience Center
1. Make sure that all items have been removed from the
top and the inside of the rear convenience center.
2. Remove the carpeted mat from the vehicle.
3. Lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open the
rear storage bin. The center lid will also need to be
opened.
4. Remove the two nuts from inside the rear storage
bin. The nuts are located in the bottom of the bin.
5. Lift the rear storage bin and remove it from the rear
of the vehicle.
6. Remove the two nuts inside the forward storage
bin. These nuts are located along the bottom of
the center divider wall.
7. Lift the forward storage bin and remove it from the
rear of the vehicle.
2-44

Removing the Rear Convenience
Center on Vehicles with the Third Row
Stowable Seat
1. Make sure that all items have been removed from
the top and the inside of the rear convenience
center.
2. Lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open the
storage bin.
3. Remove the two nuts from inside the storage bin.
The nuts are located in the bottom of the bin.
If you are only removing the convenience center
and not the stowable seat, you must replace these
nuts once the bin is removed to secure the seat.
4. Lift the storage bin and remove it from the rear of
the vehicle.
Reinstalling the Rear Convenience
Center on Vehicles with the Third Row
Stowable Seat
1. Make sure that all items have been removed from
the rear of the vehicle.
2. Lift the bin into the back of the vehicle. Align the bin
over the rear mounting bolts.
3. Put the nuts back onto the mounting bolts and
tighten.
4. Push and pull on the rear storage system to make
sure that it is locked into place properly.
2-46

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
ashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-105.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will ash at a
normal rate even if a turn signal bulb is burned
out. Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly
to make sure they are working.
Turn Signal On Chime
If either turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound to let the driver know to
turn it off.
If you need to leave the signal on for more than
3/4 mile (1.2 km), turn off the signal and then turn it
back on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high, push
the turn signal lever away from you, then release it. To
change the headlamps from high to low, pull the
lever toward you.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
and the HUD display (if
equipped), will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you
to momentarily turn on the high beams. This will
signal that you are going to pass. When you release the
lever, they will turn off.
3-8

Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If your vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD), it can
show the speedometer reading in English or metric. The
current audio system information, as well as Rear
Seat Entertainment system information, 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 3-64to change
the display from English to metric.The HUD will display the following lights and messages
when they appear on the instrument panel cluster:
Turn Signal Indicators. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
High-Beam Indicator. SeeHeadlamp
High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Low-Fuel Warning Message. SeeLow Fuel Warning
Message on page 3-58.
The Head-Up Display also displays a CHECK GAGES
message. The following messages could appear on
the instrument panel cluster when CHECK GAGES
appears:
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Message on
page 3-52.
Low Oil Pressure. SeeLow Oil Pressure Message
on page 3-54.
Charging System Indicator. SeeCharging System
Indicator Message on page 3-53.
Low Brake Fluid Warning. SeeLow Brake Fluid
Warning Message on page 3-59.
3-21

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 briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed 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
oor. 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 3-45andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-36.
{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
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service.
United States
Canada
3-44