sensor BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2006 Owner's Manual

{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the airbag might not inate properly
or it might force the object into that person
causing severe injury or even death. The path
of an inating airbag must be kept clear. Do
not put anything between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put anything on
the steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block
the ination path of a side impact airbag.
When Should an Airbag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags
are designed to inate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inate only
if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a
variety of desired deployment and non-deployment
events and are used to predict how severe a crash is
likely to be in time for the airbags to inate and help
restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will
or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is
traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction
of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags,
which adjust the restraint according to crash severity.
Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors
which help the sensing system distinguish between
a moderate and a more severe frontal impact.
For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inate
at a level less than full deployment. For more severe
frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of
your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not
move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced
deployment is about 12 to 20 mph (19 to 33 km/h),
and the threshold level for a full deployment is about
21 to 25 mph (34 to 40 km/h). (The threshold level can
vary, however, with specic vehicle design, so that it
can be somewhat above or below this range.)
1-77

The passenger sensing system works with sensors that
are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety
belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence
of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the
passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may
inate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors recommends that child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a
rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing
child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor
says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the
front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child
is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s airbag inates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal
airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child
restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one
can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. General Motors
recommends that rear-facing child restraints
be secured in the rear seat, even if the
airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far back as it will
go. It is better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.
1-82

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet
metal or height, they may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module (located under the driver’s seat), or
the inside rearview mirror can affect the operation
of the airbag system. If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure
in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
1-86

Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until
the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition
designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment
and defrost the windows more quickly.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
When going down a steep hill
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power,
but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use your brakes off and on.Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for
higher speeds.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle will
not downshift into rst gear until the vehicle is going
slow enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the
vehicle in place.
2-25

Exterior Lamps
The control on the
left side of the steering
column operates the
exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp Control/Off):Turning
the control to this position will activate the automatic
headlamps when it is dark enough outside and turn off
all lamps and lights during the day except for the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
<(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
Instrument Panel Lights
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
rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes
the DRL work, so be sure it is not covered. The
DRL system will make your reduced intensity low-beam
headlamps come on in daylight when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
3-14

Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA)
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system is
designed to help you park, while the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R). It operates only at very low speeds,
less than 3 mph (5 km/h). URPA can help make parking
easier and to help you avoid colliding with objects
such as parked vehicles. The URPA system can detect
objects up to 5 feet (1.5 m) behind the vehicle, and
tell you how close these objects are from your
rear bumper.
Your vehicle’s URPA operates when the shift lever is
moved into REVERSE (R) and the vehicle speed is less
than 3 mph (5 km/h). Four ultrasonic sensors located
at the rear bumper are used to detect the distance to the
object. The URPA display is located inside the vehicle,
near the rear window. It has three color-coded lights
used to provide distance and system information to
the driver.
{CAUTION:
Even with the Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
system, the driver must check carefully before
backing up. The system does not operate above
typical backing speeds of 3 mph (5 km/h) while
parking. And, the system does not detect
objects that are more than 5 feet (1.5 meters)
behind the vehicle.
So, unless you check carefully behind you
before and when you back up, you could strike
children, pedestrians, bicyclists or pets behind
you, and they could be injured or killed.
Whether or not you are using rear park assist,
always check carefully behind your vehicle
before you back up and then watch closely
as you do.
3-24

URPA can be turned off by
pressing the rear park aid
disable switch located
in the instrument panel
switchbank. When
the system is disabled,
an indicator light will glow
on the switch. You will
not see any lights on the
rear display if the switch
is in the off position.
How the System Works
Unless disabled, the URPA will turn on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into REVERSE (R).
When the system turns on, the three lights on the
display will illuminate for one and a half seconds to
let you know that the system is working. If your vehicle
is moving in REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than
3 mph (5 km/h), the red light will ash to remind you
that the system does not work at speed greater
than 3 mph (5 km/h).If an object is detected at a REVERSE (R) speed of
less than 3 mph (5 km/h), one of the following will occur:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/
red lights &
continuous chime20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/
red lights ashing &
continuous chime1 ft 0.3 m
A chime will sound the rst time an object is detected
between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m) away.
URPA cannot detect objects that are above liftgate level.
In order for the rear sensors to recognize an object,
it must be within detection range behind the vehicle.
3-25

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The light may ash red when the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R) if the ultrasonic sensors are not kept
clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free of mud,
dirt, snow, ice, and slush. Other conditions that may
affect system performance include things like the
vibrations from a jackhammer or the compression of
air brakes on a very large truck. If after cleaning
the rear bumper and then driving forward at least
15 mph (25 km/h), the display continues to ash red,
see your dealer.
If a trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was on the back of, or hanging out of your
liftgate during your last drive cycle, the light may
also ash red. The light will continue to ash whenever
in REVERSE (R) until your vehicle is driven forward
at least 15 mph (25 km/h) without any obstructions
behind the vehicle.
For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 5-94.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With accessory power outlets you can plug in electrical
equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio.
There is one front power outlet/cigarette lighter located
on the oor console in the cell phone storage
compartment.
There are also two rear power outlets. One is located
in the rear of the oor console below the vents. The
other is located in the rear of the vehicle on the driver’s
side behind the access door.
Pull the cover down to use an accessory power outlet.
When not in use, always cover the accessory power
outlets with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-26

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensor, the airbag
modules, the wiring, diagnostic module, and safety
belt pretensioners. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 1-72. For more
information on safety belt pretensioners, seeSafety Belt
Pretensioners on page 1-45.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system or safety belt pretensioners may not work
properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-41

Fuse Usage
1 Empty
2 Steering Wheel Radio Controls
3 Power Door Locks
4 Empty
5 Empty
6 Empty
7 Empty
8 Empty
9 Empty
10Turn Signal and Hazard Lamp
Flashers
Fuse Usage
11 Power Seats
12Electronic Level Control (ELC)
Compressor
13 Liftgate and Endgate
14 Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet
15Electronic Level Control (ELC)
Compressor Relay and Height
Sensor
16 Heated Mirrors
17 Power Mirrors
18 Ignition 1 Module
19 Turn Signal Switch
21 Rear Defogger
22 Air Bag Module
24 TCC Switch
25 HVAC Blower Motor
26HVAC Mode and Temperature
Motors and Head-Up Display
28 Not Used
29 Windshield Wipers and Washer
30Instrument Panel Cluster, Body
Control Module (BCM),
PASS-Key
®III
31 Park Lock Ignition Key Solenoid
32 Rear Window Wiper/Washer
5-102