ignition BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2006 Owner's Guide

Retro-Active Reset
The trip odometer has a feature called retro-active
reset. This feature can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of miles or kilometers driven since the
ignition was last turned on. This can be used if you
forget to reset your trip odometer at the beginning of a
trip. To use the retro-active reset feature, push and
hold the trip/reset button for at least ve seconds. The
trip odometer will then display the number of miles
or kilometers driven since the ignition was last turned
on and you began driving. If you use the retro-active
reset feature after you have started the vehicle,
but before you begin moving, the display will show
the number of miles or kilometers you drove during
the last ignition cycle. Once you begin driving, the
trip odometer will accumulate mileage. For example,
if you have driven 5.0 miles (8.0 km) since you started
your vehicle, and then activate the retro-active reset
feature, the display will show 5.0 miles (8.0 km).
As you drive, the display will then increase to
5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
Tachometer
The tachometer
displays the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds. If
the driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will
come on.
3-40

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

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. Your
rearview mirror has a passenger airbag status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START, the
passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
or the symbol for on and off, for several seconds as a
system check. Then, after several more seconds,
the status indicator will light either ON or OFF, or either
the on or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right
front passenger’s seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off
the passenger’s frontal airbag. 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. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on.
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. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada
3-42

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

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. If the light comes on and stays on when
you are 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 are driving, the anti-lock brake system needs
service and you do not 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 does not 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

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves near the “H”, your engine
is too hot!
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 5-23.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the
United States or Check Engine Light
in Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
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This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or check
engine light comes on to indicate that there is a problem
and service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is apparent.
This may prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as good,
and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
3-47

Fuel Gage
When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little
fuel left, but you should get more soon.
If your fuel is low, the warning message in the message
center will come on. SeeLow Fuel Warning Message
on page 3-57.Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you
have left when the ignition is on.
Here are four things that some owners ask about.
All these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more (or less) fuel to ll up than the
gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full,
but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s
capacity to ll it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off. United States
Canada
3-50

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 following conditions exist:
The ignition is ON,
the passenger’s seatbelt is not buckled,
a passenger is 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

Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message
center when you turn on
the ignition as a check
to show you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have
a problem with the charging system. It could indicate
that you have problems with a generator drive belt,
or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this indicator appears in
the message center could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message
on, be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
Reduced Engine Power Message
If your vehicle has this feature, this message will
appear in the message center when a noticeable
reduction in the vehicle’s engine performance is
detected. This message will also appear when your
vehicle is in overheated engine protection operating
mode. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-23for
more information.
If this message comes on and stays on, see
your dealer.
United StatesCanada
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