tow BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2007 Owner's Guide

If you lose or damage a PASS-Key®III key, see
your GM dealer who can service PASS-Key®III to
have a new key made.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
If you have all-wheel drive, keep your
speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow,
the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 340for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
127

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn it to four
different positions.
A (OFF):This is the only position in which you
can remove the key. This position locks the ignition
and transaxle.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break
the key. Use the correct key and turn the key
only with your hand. Make sure the key is all the
way in. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.B (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers
while the engine is off. This position will also allow
you to turn off the engine. Use ACCESSORY if
you must have your vehicle in motion while
the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is
being pushed or towed.
C (ON):This is the position that the switch
returns to after you start your engine and release
the key. The switch stays in ON when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not running, you can use ON to operate your
electrical power accessories, and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACCESSORY or On position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your
vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for
an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to ON for normal driving.
128

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.
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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

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

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 142. Also see
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 240for
information on how to turn this feature on and off.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like
other vehicles) look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply into
the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on
your right. Check your inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat. It also makes things
appear farther away than they really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
If the vehicle has this feature, the outside rearview
mirrors are heated when the rear window
defogger is turned on. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underClimate Control System on
page 200,Dual Climate Control System on
page 203,orDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 206.
143

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.
Cell Phone Storage Area
Your vehicle has a cell phone storage
compartment located on the oor console storage
closest to the driver’s seat. Lift the lid to use
the storage compartment. The compartment has
an accessory power outlet for charging the
cell phone.
Overhead Console
If your vehicle has an overhead console, it may
contain a storage compartment, a sunglasses
storage compartment, and Universal Home
Remote buttons. SeeUniversal Home Remote
System (With Three Round LED) on page 147or
Universal Home Remote System (With One
Triangular LED) on page 148for more information.If your vehicle has the OnStar
®System, the
OnStar®buttons will replace the storage
compartment. SeeOnStar®System on page 144
for more information.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the mini console
contains the Universal Home Remote buttons and
the OnStar
®buttons.
Storage Compartment
To open the storage compartment located at the
front of the overhead console, press the release
latch forward. Then pull the compartment down to
the full open position.
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
To open the sunglasses storage compartment in
the overhead console, press the release button.
Then pull the compartment down to the full
open position.
159

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.Removing the Extended Rear
Convenience Center
1. Make sure that all items have been removed
from the top and the inside of the rear
convenience center.
2. Remove the carpeted mat from the vehicle.
3. Lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open
the rear storage bin. The center lid will also
need to be opened.
4. Remove the two nuts from inside the rear
storage bin. The nuts are located in the
bottom of the bin.
5. Lift the rear storage bin and remove it from
the rear of the vehicle.
6. Remove the two nuts inside the forward
storage bin. These nuts are located along
the bottom of the center divider wall.
7. Lift the forward storage bin and remove it
from the rear of the vehicle.
166