warning light BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2007 User Guide

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will
help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
you will see in the details on the next few
pages, some warning lights come on briey when
you start the engine just to let you know they
are working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let you
know when there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on when you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly – and even dangerous. So
please get to know your warning lights and
gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a message center that
works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeMessage Center on page 225.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll
know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive
safely and economically. The indicator warning lights and gages are explained on the following pages.
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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
does not 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 is not 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 does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is 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 220andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 337.
{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.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have an Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) warning light. If it does, the light should come
on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key
to ON. If the ABS warning light stays on longer than
normal after you have 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 ABS needs service
and you do not have anti-lock brakes.The ABS 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
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Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System
(TCS) warning light. The TCS warning light
may come on for the following reasons:
If you turn the TCS off by pressing the TRAC
OFF button located in the instrument panel
switchbank the TCS warning light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on,
press the button again. The TCS warning light
should go off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 310for more information.
If there is an engine-related and brake system
problem that is specically related to traction
control, the TCS will turn off and the TCS
warning light will come on.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on
for an extended period of time when the system is
turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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 378.
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Passenger Seatbelt Reminder
Message
If your vehicle has 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.
This light and chime will be repeated if the
ignition is on, the vehicle is in motion,
the passenger is still unbuckled and the
passenger airbag is enabled. You should
buckle your seatbelt. If the passenger’s
seatbelt is already buckled, this message and
chime will not come on.
Service Traction System Warning
Message
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS) and this message is displayed when you are
driving, there may be a problem with your TCS.
Your vehicle may need service.
When this message is displayed, the TCS will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If there is an engine-related and brake system
problem that is specically related to traction
control, the TCS will turn off and the warning
message will come on.
If the TCS warning message comes on and stays
on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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Low Fuel Warning Message
If your fuel is low, the warning message will come
on and stay on until you add fuel.
If the warning message is still on after adding fuel,
you need to reset the warning message. To
reset the warning message, turn the ignition off
and then back on. If the message stays on,
see your dealer.
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
If your brake uid is low, the warning message will
come on and stay on until you add brake uid.
The brake system warning light will also be
illuminated.
If this message appears, the brakes need
attention. You should have your vehicle serviced
immediately. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 219andBrakes on page 389.
If the warning message is still on after adding
uid, you may need to reset the warning message.
To reset the warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on. If the message stays on, see
your dealer right away.
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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 310.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 354.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 219.
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. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 354.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS, this warning light on the
instrument panel will come on briey when you start
your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, ABS system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a
little. This is normal.
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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 227. 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 181.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 226. 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 Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 331.
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