towing BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2007 Owner's Guide

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing your signal
when they are not. It is important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
348

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs (450 kg), drive in AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) or, as you need to, a lower gear.
This will minimize heat build-up and extend the
life of your transaxle.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, do
the following:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
349

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid, engine oil, belts, cooling
system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a
good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may have a trailer wiring harness
located at the rear of your vehicle. To use
the trailer wiring harness, you need a converter
kit. Contact your dealer for more information.
350

If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If vehicle still
has the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets your vehicle
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, there is a signicant loss in power
and engine performance. The temperature gage
indicates an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 365.
380

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 375 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)Check system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have
high effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate
accelerator or cruise control cables.(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
the lter may require replacement more often.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help ensure
the safety, dependability, and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Your GM
Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 485.
480

Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles
operated on a non-public roadway or highway,
nes, impound towing caused by a violation
of local, Municipal, State, Provincial, or Federal
law, and mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and
our participating dealers are proud to offer
Courtesy Transportation, a customer support
program for new vehicles.
For warranty repairs during the Bumper-to-Bumper
(U.S.) or Base Warranty Coverage period
(Canada), provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty, interim transportation may be available
under the Courtesy Transportation program.
Several courtesy transportation options are
available to assist in reducing your inconvenience
when warranty repairs are required.Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty and is available only
at participating dealers. A separate booklet entitled
“Warranty and Owner Assistance Information”
furnished with each new vehicle provides detailed
warranty coverage information.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service, you
should contact your dealer and request an
appointment. By scheduling a service appointment
and advising your service consultant of your
transportation needs, your dealer can help
minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the
service department immediately, keep driving it
until it can be scheduled for service, unless,
of course, the problem is safety-related. If it is,
please call your dealership, let them know this, and
ask for instructions.
If the dealer requests that you simply drop the
vehicle off for service, you are urged to do so as
early in the work day as possible to allow for
the same day repair.
501

If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where
the towing service will be taking it. Get a
card from the tow truck operator or write down
the driver’s name, the service’s name, and
the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before
it is towed away. Make sure this includes your
insurance information and registration if you
keep these items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need
from the other driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make,
model and model year, Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN), insurance company and policy
number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they will need. If they
ask for a police report, phone or go to the police
department headquarters the next day and you
can get a copy of the report for a nominal fee. In
some states/provinces with “no fault” insurance
laws, a report may not be necessary. This is
especially true if there are no injuries and both
vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for
your vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer
or a private collision repair facility to x the
damage, make sure you are comfortable with
them. Remember, you will have to feel
comfortable with their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work will
be performed on your vehicle. If you have a
question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
507

Power
Accessory Outlet(s).................................. 199
Door Locks.............................................. 115
Electrical System..................................... 462
Reduced Engine Message....................... 228
Retained Accessory (RAP)....................... 129
Seat.......................................................... 10
Steering Fluid.......................................... 387
Windows.................................................. 121
Pretensioners, Safety Belt............................. 56
Program Mode Message............................. 233
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.......... 116
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ... 34
R
Radiator Pressure Cap................................ 378
Radios........................................................ 250
Care of Your CD and DVD Player............ 298
Care of Your CDs and DVDs................... 298
Navigation/Radio System, see
Navigation Manual................................ 277
Radio with CD......................................... 252Radios (cont.)
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................ 262
Rear Seat Audio...................................... 293
Setting the Time...................................... 252
Theft-Deterrent......................................... 296
Understanding Reception......................... 297
Rear Door Security Locks........................... 116
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message.............. 230
Rear Outside Passenger Positions,
Safety Belts............................................... 47
Rear Reading Lamps.................................. 191
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides.................. 53
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)............................... 293
Rear Seat Entertainment System................. 277
Rear Seat Operation..................................... 15
Rear Storage Area...................................... 160
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.................... 180
Rearview Mirrors......................................... 142
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 13
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.......... 485
Recreational Vehicle Towing........................ 338
Reduced Engine Power Message ................ 228
Remote Keyless Entry System.................... 110
Remote Keyless Entry System,
Operation................................................. 111
523

Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 338
Towing a Trailer....................................... 340
Your Vehicle............................................. 337
Traction
Active Message....................................... 227
Control System (TCS).............................. 310
Control System Warning Light.................. 220
Service Traction System Warning
Message............................................... 226
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic....................................... 372
Transaxle Operation, Automatic................... 132
Trip Odometer............................................. 213
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 178
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 177
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)........ 196
Understanding Radio Reception................... 297Uniform Tire Quality Grading....................... 420
Universal Home Remote System........147, 148
Operation........................................149, 154
V
Vehicle
Control..................................................... 306
Damage Warnings....................................... 5
Loading.................................................... 332
Service Soon Message............................ 233
Symbols...................................................... 5
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders................................................ 503
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).......................................... 461
Service Parts Identication Label.............. 461
Vehicle Personalization
DIC .......................................................... 240
Ventilation Adjustment.................................. 210
Visors.......................................................... 122
527