engine BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2007 User Guide

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You will get
easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your
vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of
the coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle
may also have an internal thermostat in the
plug end of the cord. This will prevent operation of
the engine coolant heater when the temperature
is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The electrical cord is located on the
driver’s side of the engine compartment.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some
other things. Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact your dealer in the area
where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when you are in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift
lever.
PARK (P):This gear position locks your front
wheels. It is the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
must fully apply your regular brakes rst before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key
is in ON. As you step on the brake pedal, while
in PARK (P), you may hear a click from the
solenoid of the system. This ensures that the
system is operating properly. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
as you maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out
of Park (P) on page 138for more information.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
132

CAUTION: (Continued)
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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 136.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 340.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 331.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
133

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 315.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up
rather slowly or not shift gears when you go
faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle
that way, you could damage the transaxle.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can
drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for
higher speeds until then.
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. It reduces vehicle speed more than
DRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You might
choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) when
driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing
a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
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.
134

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 340.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 340.
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).
136

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).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your vehicle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transaxle. You may nd it
difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This
is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To
nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 136.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P) before you release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P).
137

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
140

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
underEngine Exhaust on page 140.
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 327.
{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 136.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 340.
141

Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
Light...................................................... 220
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 221
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 222
Fuel Gage................................................. 225
Message Center.......................................... 225
Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message..... 226
Service Traction System Warning
Message................................................ 226
Traction Active Message........................... 227
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message................................................ 227
Charging System Indicator Message.......... 228
Reduced Engine Power Message.............. 228
Low Oil Pressure Message........................ 229
Change Engine Oil Message..................... 230
Door Ajar Warning Message...................... 230
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message............ 230
Check Gas Cap Message......................... 231
PASS-Key
®III Security Message............... 231
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message......... 231
Low Fuel Warning Message...................... 232
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message........... 232
Service Vehicle Soon Message................. 233Program Mode Message........................... 233
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning Message........................... 234
Parking Lamp Warning Message............... 234
Highbeam Out Warning Message.............. 235
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 235
DIC Controls and Displays........................ 236
DIC Compass............................................ 238
DIC Vehicle Personalization....................... 240
Audio System(s)......................................... 250
Setting the Time........................................ 252
Radio with CD........................................... 252
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................. 262
XM Radio Messages................................. 276
Navigation/Radio System........................... 277
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 277
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)............................. 293
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 296
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 296
Radio Reception........................................ 297
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 298
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 298
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 299
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 299
Section 3 Instrument Panel
172

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. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 227.
Low Oil Pressure. SeeLow Oil Pressure
Message on page 229.
Charging System Indicator. SeeCharging
System Indicator Message on page 228.
Low Brake Fluid Warning. SeeLow Brake
Fluid Warning Message on page 232.
Under warning conditions, the CHECK GAGES
message will illuminate in the HUD. Look at
the instrument panel cluster for more information.Notice:If you try to use the HUD image as a
parking aid, you may misjudge the distance
and damage your vehicle. Do not use the HUD
image as a parking aid.
The HUD controls are
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will
always be displayed. The current audio system
information will only be displayed for three seconds
after the radio, tape or CD track status changes.
This will happen whenever one of the radio controls
is pressed, either on the radio or on the audio
steering wheel controls, if equipped.
194