
Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood......................................................5-9
Hood Release................................................5-9
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-10
Engine Oil...................................................5-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-15
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-17
Engine Coolant.............................................5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-21
Engine Overheating.......................................5-22
Cooling System............................................5-24
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32
Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-41
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-43
Headlamps..................................................5-43
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-45
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-45
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-47
Tires..............................................................5-48
Inflation -- Tire Pressure................................5-49
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-49
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-51
When It Is Time for New Tires
.......................5-52
Buying New Tires
.........................................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
..........................5-54
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
..................5-55
Wheel Replacement
......................................5-55
Section 5Service and Appearance Care
5-1
2003 - Rendezvous OM

To replace the backglass mounted wiper blade, do the
following:
1. Turn the rear wiper off.
2. Pull the wiper away from the backglass.
3. Pull up the release clip, located at the connecting
point of the blade and the arm. Then, pull the
blade assembly down toward the glass to remove it
from the wiper arm.
4. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper
arm until you hear the release clip“click”into
place.
5. Push the release clip, from Step 3, down to secure
the wiper blade into place.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Buick Warranty booklet for details.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
•Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See“Loading Your
Vehicle”in the Index.
•Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
•Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact—such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
•Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
5-48
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label, which is on the rear edge of
the driver’s door, shows the correct inflation pressures
for your tires when they’re cold.“Cold”means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Notice:Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation
or overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can get
the following:
•Too muchflexing
•Too much heat
•Tire overloading
•Bad wear
•Bad handling
•Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you
can get the following:
•Unusual wear
•Bad handling
•Rough ride
•Needless damage from road hazards
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Check Tire Pressure System
Your vehicle may have a check tire pressure system
that 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 orflat. 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. In the following
conditions, the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message
5-49
2003 - Rendezvous OM

may not come on even if the tire pressure is low, or it
may come on when the tire pressure is actually normal:
•more than one tire is low,
•only one tire is replaced with a new tire during
service,
•the vehicle is moving faster than 70 mph (113 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
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39.
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.
SeeTires on page 5-48.
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 asyou can and check all your tires for damage. If a tire is
flat, seeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-58. Also check
the tire pressure in all four tires as soon as you can.
SeeInflation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-49.
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.
Don’t reset the check tire pressure system withoutfirst
correcting the cause of the problem and checking
and adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset
the system when the tire pressures are incorrect,
the check tire pressure system will not work properly
and may not alert you when a tire is low or high.
To reset the system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
2. Press the MODE button until the DIC reads LOW
TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO RESET.
3. Press and hold the SET button until you hear a
chime and TIRE PRESSURE RESET is displayed.
You will hear three chimes and the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE message will go off and the DIC will return
to TIRE PRESSURE NORMAL. If the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE message comes back on, the check tire
pressure system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-50
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The system completes the calibration process during
driving. The system“learns”the pressure at each
tire throughout the operating speed range of your
vehicle. The system normally takes between 30 and
60 minutes of driving to learn the tire pressures.
The system normally takes 10 to 20 minutes of driving
in each speed range to learn tire pressures. The
speed ranges are 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 km/h), 40 to
60 mph (64 to 96 km/h) and above 60 mph (96 km/h).
This time may be longer depending on your individual
driving habits. The learning process does not need to be
completed during a single trip. Once learned, the
system will remember the tire pressure until the system
is reset.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-52andWheel Replacement
on page 5-55for more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire, If it moves,
use the folding wrench to tighten the cable. See“Storing
a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools”inChanging a Flat
Tire on page 5-59.The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. Thefirst rotation
is the most important. See“Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services,”in Section 6, for scheduled
rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the
Certification/Tire label.
Reset the check tire pressure system, if equipped. See
Check Tire Pressure System on page 5-49.
5-51
2003 - Rendezvous OM

tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
Accessory Inflator
Your vehicle may have an accessory inflator. With it, you
can inflate things like air mattresses and basketballs, and
you can also use it to bring your tires up to the proper
pressure.
The accessory inflator is located in the rear compartment
on the driver’s side. To remove the cover, pull the tab on
the cover and pull it off.
This is the symbol on the
accessory inflator switch.There may be an accessory inflator kit stored in the
glove box. It includes a 20-foot (6 m) hose with an air
pressure gage and nozzle adapters.
{CAUTION:
Inflating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inflator instructions, and
inflate any object only to its recommended
pressure.
To use your accessory inflator system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or ON.
2. Attach the appropriate nozzle adapter, if required,
to the end of the hose that has the pressure gage.
3. Attach that end of the hose to the object you wish
to inflate.
4. Remove the protective cap covering the outlet.
5. Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.
6. Press the accessory inflator switch. The light in the
switch will come on to show the system is working.
5-57
2003 - Rendezvous OM

5. Turn the folding wrench clockwise to lift the
spare tire.
6. When the tire reaches the stabilizer bar, move the
tire over the bar, then continue to turn the folding
wrench clockwise to lift the spare tire.
7. When the tire is almost in the stored position, turn
the tire so that the valve stem is towards the rear of
the vehicle.
This will help when you check and maintain tire
pressure in the spare.
8. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the folding wrench until
you feel more than two clicks. This indicates that the
compact spare tire is secure and the cable is
tight. The spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened.
A. Push and Pull
B. Rotate Tire
9. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If the tire
moves, use the folding wrench to tighten the cable.
Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack storage
compartment and put the compartment cover back on.
To put the cover back on, slip the tabs on the side of the
cover into the cover opening. Push the cover in place
and push down the tabs on the cover so that it rests in
the groove. This secures the cover in place.
5-72
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure
your spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you canfinish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s
best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in
good shape in case you need it again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed, don’t
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’tfit. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains won’tfit your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on
your compact spare.
All-Wheel Drive
After installing a compact spare tire on a vehicle with
all-wheel drive you will need to drive with light to
moderate acceleration, for 10 seconds, in a straight line.
This action will allow the vehicle to detect the compact
spare tire and disable the all-wheel drive system.
The AWD DISABLE message will come on indicating
that the all-wheel drive system is off. You may detect a
slight pull during this time, but this is normal.
Notice:You may damage your vehicle’s all-wheel
drive system if your vehicle is driven for an
extended period with a compact spare tire installed
and the all-wheel drive system in operation. See
“All-Wheel Drive System”and“AWD Disable
Warning Message”in the Index for more
information.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst intoflames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed
space. When you use anything from a container to clean
your vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
5-77
2003 - Rendezvous OM