Page 275 of 432

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can’t see it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
4-29
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 283 of 432

Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to
use a properly mounted, weight-carrying hitch and
sway control of the proper size. This equipment
is very important for proper vehicle loading
and good handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them,
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust
can get into your vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-29. Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes separated from
the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be
provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes–and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.
Because your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes, do not
try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do,
both brake systems won’t work well, or at all.
4-37
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 295 of 432

The fuel cap is located on
the driver’s side of the
vehicle.
While refueling, let the fuel
cap hang by the tether as
shown.To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has spring in it;
if you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
{CAUTION:
If you get fuel on yourself and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too
quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any
“hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. SeeCleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-40.
5-7
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 298 of 432
Engine Compartment Overview
When you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
A. Underhood Fuse Block
B. Remote Positive (+) TerminalC. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
5-10
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 316 of 432
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
Notice:Your engine has a specific radiator
fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
itfirst stops. (Don’t press down while turning the
pressure cap.)If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
5-28
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 331 of 432
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Push in on the
headlamp panel and lift
up the headlamp
retaining clip partway,
but do not remove.
3. Undo the wing stud on the upper, outboard side of
the lamp assembly.
4. Unsnap the headlamp assembly by pulling it
forward, away from the vehicle.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector by pulling back
on the locking tab, located on the electrical
connector, to separate the two connectors.
5-43
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 332 of 432
6. Turn the bulb socket
one-quarter of a turn
clockwise.
7. Pull the bulb assembly out from the lamp housing.8. Unhook the electrical connector by lifting up the
gray tabs and separate the connector from the
bulb base.
9. Install the new bulb into the electrical connector.
Push the bulbfirmly enough so that the gray tabs
hook over the tab on the bulb.
10. Put the bulb assembly back into the lamp housing
and turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn
counterclockwise.
11. Align the retaining clips on the back of the headlamp
with the rectangular holes in the mounting panel.
12. Pushfirmly on both ends of the headlamp to snap it
into position.
13. Push the retaining clip down to its original position.
14. Reinstall the wing stud.
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps
To replace the front turn signal, parking or sidemarker
lamp bulbs, follow the headlamp bulb replacement
procedure and replace the appropriate bulb.
5-44
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Page 333 of 432

Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the two
screws on the inboard
taillamp panel.
3. Pull the lamp directly rearward from the vehicle.
4. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn
counterclockwise.
5. Pull the bulb assembly out from the lamp housing.
6. Unhook the electrical connector by lifting up
the tabs and separate the connector from the
bulb base.
7. Install the new bulb into the electrical connector.
Push the bulbfirmly enough so that the tabs hook
over the tab on the bulb.8. Put the bulb assembly back into the lamp housing
and turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn
clockwise.
9. Reinstall the lamp to its pocket by lining up the
mounting pin and pushing forward to set the
position.
10. Reinstall the screws removed in Step 2.
11. Close the liftgate.
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps
This procedure is for the liftgate-mounted taillamps and
back-up lamps.
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the panel inside the liftgate by lifting the
tabs and pulling the panel off.
3. Remove the seven
wing nuts and the four
outboard nuts (two
at each end).
4. Gently lower the liftgate.
5-45
2003 - Rendezvous OM