2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS parking brake

{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

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goesflat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warningflashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brakefirmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t
move, you can put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the
opposite end.The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-25if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-25if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to OFF in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to OFF only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water toush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle 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
and cruise control cables.
All-Wheel Drive Inspection
Inspect the transfer case (power transfer unit) and
carrier assembly-differential (rear drive module) every
12 months or at engine oil change intervals, check rear
differential and transfer case and add lubricant when
necessary. Auid loss could indicate a problem; check
and have it repaired, if needed. Check vent hoses at
transfer case and differential for kinks and proper
installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. For vehicles with rear drum
brakes, also inspect drum brake linings for wear and
cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. Check
parking brake adjustment. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
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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
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

OnStar®System.............................................2-32
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-33
Operation..............................................3-24, 3-27
Operation Tips................................................3-32
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-32
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-32
Curb View Assist Mirror................................2-32
Heated Mirrors............................................2-32
Power Mirror...............................................2-31
Overhead Console..........................................2-38
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-22
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-10
P
Park Aid........................................................3-21
Park Lamp Warning Message...........................3-53
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-28
Parking
Assist........................................................3-21
Brake........................................................2-25
Over Things That Burn.................................2-29
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle Park (P)
Mechanism Check.......................................6-12Parking on Hills..............................................4-40
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.................. 6-9
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections..........6-13
PartD-Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-15
PartE-Maintenance Record...........................6-16
Passing.................................................4-14, 4-39
PASS-Key
®III ................................................2-16
PASS-Key®III Operation
..................................2-17
PASS-Key®III Security Message
.......................3-49
Perimeter Lighting
...........................................3-16
Plan Ahead When Possible
................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape
..................................3-79
Playing a Compact Disc
..................3-70, 3-80, 3-89
Playing a Specific Loaded
Compact Disc
.............................................3-90
Playing the Radio
...........................3-65, 3-72, 3-82
Power
Accessory Outlets
........................................3-23
Door Locks
.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System
.........................................5-86
Six-Way Seats
.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid
.............................................5-31
Windows
....................................................2-14
Power Steering
...............................................4-11
Primary Radio Controls
..................................3-105
Program Mode Message
..................................3-52
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
.................. 2-9
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-56
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-36
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-34
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Active Message...........................................3-45
Control System (TCS)..................................4-10
Control System Warning Light.......................3-39
Service Traction System Warning Message.....3-44
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-37
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-41
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-17
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)..................5-41
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual.............................................. 7-9
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-39U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-21
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-12
Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-89
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-108
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-54
United States................................................... 7-4
Unlock Feedback............................................3-61
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-56
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-78
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-36
Using RDS
....................................................3-67
Using Song List Mode
.....................................3-92
V
Vehicle
Control
........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Design
......................................................... 4-3
Loading
......................................................4-32
Service Soon Message
.................................3-51
Symbols
......................................................... iv
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2003 - Rendezvous OM