2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS brake light

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you
hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or it the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing
on the road. If you can see reections from trees,
telephone poles or other vehicles, and raindrops
“dimple”the water’s surface, there could be
hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
4-19
2003 - Rendezvous OM

When your brakefluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
What to Add
When you do need brakefluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brakefluid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15.
Always clean the brakefluid 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 offluid 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 wrongfluid 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 offluid.
•If you spill brakefluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paintfinish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brakefluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”in the Index. United States
Canada
5-34
2003 - Rendezvous OM

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 pedalfirmly).
{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 arefirst 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.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-14.
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.
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.
5-35
2003 - Rendezvous OM

{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
•They contain acid that can burn you.
•They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
•They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can be
damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a groundconnection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brakefirmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump starting procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlet(s). Turn
off the radios and all lamps that aren’t needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminals on each
vehicle.
You will not need to access your battery for jump
starting. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump
starting terminal for that purpose. The terminal is
located under a tethered cap at the front of the
underhood fuse and relay center. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-10for more
information on location.
5-37
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

If the accessory inflator system does not turn on or the
light does not come on, the fuse may be blown or
installed incorrectly. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-86or see your dealer for service.
Your accessory inflator will automatically shut off after
about 10 minutes. The light in the switch will blink. After
about one minute you can use the system again. Press
the inflator switch and the indicator light will come on.
Notice:Don’t run your accessory inflator for longer
than 30 minutes at one time. If you do, you may
damage the system.
After running the accessory inflator for 30 minutes, wait
at least 10 minutes before restarting the accessory
inflator.
To turn off the inflator, do the following:
1. Press the switch and detach the hose,first from the
inflated object, then from the outlet.
2. Put the protective cap back on.
3. Place the inflator kit tools in the pouch, and store in
the glove box.
To put the cover back on, line up the tabs at the back of
the cover and put it in place. Push down the tab to
secure the cover.If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to“blowout”while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a“blowout”, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, theflat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheelfirmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop—well off the road if possible.
If a tire goesflat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change aflat tire safely.
5-58
2003 - Rendezvous OM

A
About Driving Your Vehicle.....................................ii
Accessory Inflator...........................................5-57
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-23
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-32
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-85
Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs
(Second Row).............................................1-12
Adjusting the Speakers....................3-67, 3-74, 3-84
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-67
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-73
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-76
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-73
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?......1-74
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-72
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-70
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-15
All Overseas Locations...................................... 7-4
All-Wheel Drive......................................5-41, 5-77
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message..........3-49
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-11
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..................5-82
AM .............................................................3-108
Antenna, Integrated Windshield.......................3-110Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-110
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-8
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-39
Appearance Care............................................5-77
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-80
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-83
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-78
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-80
Finish Damage............................................5-83
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-83
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Arming with the Power Lock Switch...................2-15
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter
.................................................2-16
Ashtrays
........................................................3-24
Audio Speakers
..............................................3-95
Audio System(s)
.............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
....................3-107
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
...............3-108
Care of Your CD and DVD Player
................3-109
Care of Your CDs and DVDs
.......................3-109
Integrated Windshield Antenna
.....................3-110
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-71
Radio with CD
............................................3-65
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................3-82
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
...............................3-105
1
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time..........................................3-65
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-106
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-108
XM™Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-110
Auto Door Lock/Unlock....................................3-59
Automatic Door Lock/Unlock.............................2-48
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Level Control...................................4-33
Automatic Operation........................................3-29
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-17
Operation...................................................2-22
Automatic Transaxle Check..............................6-10
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-11
B
Backing Up....................................................4-39
Battery..........................................................5-36
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Before You Drive............................................3-94
Bench Seat, Split............................................. 1-7
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-10
Brake
Low Fluid Warning Message.........................3-51
Parking......................................................2-25Brake (cont.)
System Inspection.......................................6-14
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brake Fluid....................................................5-33
Brake Wear...................................................5-35
Brakes..........................................................5-33
Braking........................................................... 4-7
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-42
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamps.................................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-46
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-45
Buying New Tires...........................................5-53C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Canceling the Rear Door Security Locks............2-10
Capacities and Specifications............................5-92
Captain Chairs, Rear.......................................1-12
Carbon Monoxide...................4-25, 4-34, 2-11, 2-29
2
2003 - Rendezvous OM