traction control BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2005 Owner's Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Interior Lamps Control...................................3-16
Headlamp Exit Delay.....................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Delayed Lighting...........................................3-18
Exit Lighting.................................................3-18
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-19
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-19
Rear Reading Lamps....................................3-19
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-19Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-20
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-21
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-24
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-26
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-27
Climate Controls............................................3-28
Climate Control System.................................3-28
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-30
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-33
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-36
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-37
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-38
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-39
Trip Odometer..............................................3-39
Tachometer.................................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-41
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-41
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-42
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-44
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-45
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-46
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-46
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-49
Fuel Gage...................................................3-50
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Message Center.............................................3-51
Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message...........3-51
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-51
Traction Active Message................................3-52
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message..................................................3-52
Charging System Indicator Message................3-53
Reduced Engine Power Message....................3-53
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-54
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-55
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-55
Low Tire Message........................................3-56
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-56
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message..................3-56
Check Gas Cap Message..............................3-57
PASS-Key
®III Security Message....................3-57
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message.......3-57
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-58
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-58
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-59
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-59
Program Mode Message................................3-60
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low
Warning Message......................................3-60Parking Lamp Warning Message.....................3-61
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-61
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-62
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-64
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-66
Audio System(s).............................................3-75
Setting the Time...........................................3-76
Radio with CD..............................................3-76
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-87
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-100
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-115
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-130
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-130
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-132
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-133
Radio Reception.........................................3-134
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-134
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-135
Care of Your CD and DVD Player.................3-135
Integrated Windshield Antenna......................3-135
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-135
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The cruise controls are
located on the end of the
turn signal/multifunction
lever.
ON:Move the switch to this position to turn the cruise
control system on.
R/A:Move the switch to this position to resume a set
speed or to accelerate.
SET:Press this button, located at the end of the lever,
to set a speed.
OFF:This position turns the cruise control system off
and cancels memory of a set speed.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
3-11

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave the
interior or exterior lamps on. If the interior lamps are
left on while the ignition is in OFF, they will automatically
turn off after 10 minutes. If the exterior lamps are left
on while the ignition is in OFF with all doors and
the liftgate closed, they will automatically turn off after
10 minutes.
If your vehicle has less than 14 miles (24 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
If the interior lamps are turned off as a result of the
battery saver feature, they may be turned back on by
turning the interior lamp control to OFF and then back to
ON. The battery saver will not turn the interior lamps
off automatically after doing this. They will have to
be turned off manually.
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. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-9.
Traction Disable. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-10.
Park Aid Disable. SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) on page 3-24.
Heated Seats. SeeHeated Seats on page 1-5.
3-20

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 briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. If
the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed 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 specically related to traction control,
the traction control system will turn off and the
warning light will come on.
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. United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
3-45

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.
Passenger Seatbelt Reminder
Message
If your vehicle is equipped
with the passenger
sensing system, this
message reminds the
passenger to buckle their
seatbelt.
This message will come on and a chime will sound
when the ignition is in run and the driver’s seatbelt is
buckled and the passenger’s seatbelt is not and
the passenger airbag is enabled, with a passenger
detected by the passenger sensing system.
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 specically 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 StatesCanada
3-51

Traction Active Message
If your vehicle has the traction control system, the
TRACTION ACTIVE message will appear when the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message will stay on for a few seconds after the traction
control system stops limiting wheel spin.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message
This message will come on when your engine gets
too hot.
If this message comes on, 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 5-28. United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
3-52

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Driver Behavior..............................................4-2
Driving Environment........................................4-2
Vehicle Design...............................................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-3
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-10
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-15Driving at Night............................................4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18
City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-23
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-30
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-31
Towing..........................................................4-36
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-36
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-36
Level Control...............................................4-38
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-38
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

There is something else about drinking and driving that
many people do not know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it is
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-10.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration.
4-6

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on when
the traction control system is limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Active Message on page 3-52. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.If this message comes on and stays on or comes on
while you are driving, there’s a problem with your
traction control system.
SeeService Traction System Warning Message on
page 3-51. When this warning message is on, the TRAC
OFF light will come on to remind you that the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to. You
should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. SeeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-30. United States
Canada
4-10