tow BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2006 Owner's Guide

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

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 the Engine While 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.
SeeWinter 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

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have a rearview mirror that can be
adjusted for day or night driving. Push or pull the tab
at the bottom of the mirror to adjust it for day or
night conditions.
The mirror’s two outer buttons operate the lamps on
the bottom of the mirror.
The mirror may have a passenger airbag indicator.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-81for
more information.
Outside Power Mirror
The power mirror controls
are located on the driver’s
door armrest.To choose either the left or right outside mirror, press
the selector switch. Press any of the four arrows located
on the control pad to move the mirrors in the desired
direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
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 3-64
for information on how to turn this feature on and off.
2-31

Reprogramming a Single Universal
Home Remote Button
To program a device to Universal Home Remote using
a Universal Home Remote button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired Universal Home
Remote button. Do not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the Universal Home
Remote button, proceed with Step 2 under
“Programming Universal Home Remote” shown
earlier in this section.
For additional information on Universal Home Remote,
seeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
If the glove box has a lock, put your key into the lock
and turn the key counterclockwise. To open the
glove box, pull the latch release.
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door
from lowering too far. Open the glove box until the door
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need
it fully opened.
To close the glove box, the door must be pushed up
past the detent. To lock the glove box, put your key into
the lock and turn the key clockwise.
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.
2-38

Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The
convenience net is designed to help keep small loads,
like grocery bags, from falling over. Install the
convenience net at the rear of your vehicle, just
inside the liftgate/tailgate opening.
Attach both the upper and lower hooks to the loops
on either side of the liftgate opening. The label on the
net should be in the upper left corner.
The convenience net has a maximum capacity of
100 lbs (45 kg). It is not designed to hold larger, heavier
loads. Store such loads on the oor of your vehicle,
as far forward as you can.
When not in use, it is recommended that you take
down the rear convenience net to extend its life and
retain its elasticity, and to keep the rear exit clear.
Store the net in one of the storage compartments.
Cargo Cover
If your vehicle has a cargo cover, you can use it to
cover items in the rear of the vehicle. Remove the
cover from its pouch and place the loops found on each
corner of the cover, over the four pegs in each corner
of the rear if the vehicle. When it is not in use, fold
up the cover and return it to the pouch.
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.
2-43

5. Lift the rear bin into the back of the vehicle. Place
the rear bin over the center T-shaped wall on the
forward bin. Push down to secure. Align the rear bin
over the rear mounting bolts.
6. Put the nuts back onto the mounting bolts and
tighten.
7. Push and pull on the rear storage system to make
sure that it is locked into place properly.
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.
2-45

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.
Sunroof
If the vehicle has a
sunroof, the switch to
operate it is located on
the headliner, between
the sun visors.
The sunroof switch will only work when the ignition is
ON or when the ignition is OFF and retained accessory
power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-20.
2-46

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 5-101.
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