2002 BUICK RANDEZVOUS brake

6-21
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The dipstick is located
toward the back of the
engine compartment, next
to the brake master cylinder.
The dipstick handle is a bright red loop. See ªEngine
Compartment Overview in the Index for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
cross
-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.

6-30
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs, which
could damage the tank if it is completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder is located on the driver's
side of the engine compartment.

6-31
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with
DOT
-3 brake fluid. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should
have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won't work well, or won't
work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to ªtop offº your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned, and
your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid
only when work is done on the brake hydraulic
system. See ªChecking Brake Fluidº in
this section.
United States Canada
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See ªBrake System Warning
Lightº in the Index.

6-32
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

6-33 Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that
make a high
-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.

6-34 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you need new ones put in
-- be sure you get
new approved GM replacement parts. If you don't, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you've come to expect can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco
battery. When it's time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
battery. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for battery location.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

6-39
6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn
counterclockwise.
7. Pull the bulb assembly out from the lamp housing.
8. Pull the bulb out of the base.
9. Install the new bulb into the electrical connector.
Push the bulb firmly enough so that the tabs hook
over the tab on the bulb.
10. Carefully put the bulb assembly back into the lamp
housing and turn the bulb socket one
-quarter of a
turn clockwise.
11. Replace the applique on the liftgate.
12. Gently lift the liftgate.
13. Reinstall the seven wing nuts and the
four outboard nuts.
14. Reinstall the panel inside the liftgate by connecting
the tabs.
15. Close the liftgate.
Outboard Taillamps, Brake Lamps and
Turn Signals
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the
two screws on
the inboard
taillamp panel.

6-44 Check Tire Pressure System (If Equipped)
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. The system won't
alert you before you drive that a tire is low or flat.
You must begin driving before the system will
work properly.
The LOW TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO RESET
message will appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message will
come on the message center if pressure difference
(low pressure) is detected in one tire. The check tire
pressure system may not alert you if:

more than one tire is low,

the vehicle is moving faster than 65 mph (105 km/h),

the system is not yet calibrated,

the tire treadwear is uneven,

the compact spare tire is installed,

tire chains are being used, or

the vehicle is being driven on a rough or frozen road.If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
ªAnti
-Lock Brake System Warning Lightº in the Index.
The check tire pressure system detects differences in
tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire
pressure. The system can alert you about a low
tire
-- but it doesn't replace normal tire maintenance.
See ªTiresº in the Index.
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO
RESET message appears on the Driver Information
Center and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message comes
on the message center, you should stop as soon as you
can and check all your tires for damage. If a tire is flat,
see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the Index. Also check the
tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can. See
ªInflation
-Tire Pressureº in the Index.
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure or have one or
more tires repaired or replaced, you'll need to reset
(calibrate) the check tire pressure system. You'll also
need to reset the system whenever you rotate the tires,
buy new tires and install or remove the compact spare.