Instrument Panel Switchbank
There is an instrument panel switchbank located below
the comfort controls. It contains switches or blanks
that will vary with the options that are on your vehicle.
The switches you may have are:
•Rear Window Wiper/Washer
•Liftgate Release
•Traction Disable
•Park Aid Disable
•Heated Seats (driver’s and passenger’s)
For more information, see each of these features in the
Index.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it’s dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your field of view.If your vehicle has the HUD, it can display the
speedometer reading in English or metric. The current
radio station, CD number and/or track number or
tape may also be displayed and will appear as an image
focused out toward the front of your vehicle.
The HUD is capable of displaying English or French.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 3-55to change
the display from English to metric.
The Head-Up Display also displays the following lights
and messages when they appear on the instrument
panel cluster:
•Turn Signal Indicators
•High-Beam Indicator
•Low-Fuel Warning Message
See each of these features in the Index for more
information.
The Head-Up Display also displays a CHECK GAGES
icon. The following messages could appear on the
instrument panel cluster when CHECK GAGES appears:
•Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
•Low Oil Pressure
•Charging System Indicator
•Low Brake Fluid Warning
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA)
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system is
designed to help you park, while the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R). It operates only at very low speeds, less
than 3 mph (5 km/h). URPA can help make parking
easier and to help you avoid colliding with objects such
as parked vehicles. The URPA system can detect
objects up to 5 feet (1.5 m) behind the vehicle, and tell
you how close these objects are from your rear
bumper.
Your vehicle’s URPA operates when the shift lever is
moved into REVERSE (R) and the vehicle speed is less
than 3 mph (5 km/h). Four ultrasonic sensors located
at the rear bumper are used to detect the distance to the
object. The URPA display is located inside the vehicle,
near the rear window. It has three color-coded lights
used to provide distance and system information to the
driver.
{CAUTION:
Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist is no substitute for
you, so be sure to check carefully behind you
before and when you back up. Rear Park
Assist uses sound waves that reflect from
nearby objects back to your vehicle, causing
lights and chimes. But sometimes these sound
waves may not get back to your vehicle,
because they are reflected away, or for other
reasons. This means that you could strike
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, or pets
behind you, and they could be injured or killed.
So, whether or not you are using Rear Park
Assist, always check carefully behind your
vehicle before you back up, and then watch
closely while you do.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining
air to thefloor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to thefloor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets. Use this mode to send air to the rear of the
vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats free of
objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of
the vehicle.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see“Defogging and
Defrosting”later in this section.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob to 0 to turn off the fan. The fan must
be turned on for the air conditioning compressor
to operate.
@(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light will
come on. The air-conditioning compressor also comes
on. The recirculation mode can be used with vent
and bi-level modes, but it cannot be used withfloor,
defog, defrost or outside air modes.Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the air
temperature inside your vehicle.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the coolest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
4. Select A/C.
5. Select the recirculation mode.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate controls system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air to the windshield
and thefloor outlets. When you select this mode,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
0(Defrost):Pressing this button directs most of the
air to the windshield and the side window outlets,
with some air directed to thefloor outlets. In this mode,
the system will automatically turn off recirculation
and run the air-conditioning compressor, unless theoutside temperature is at or below freezing.
Recirculation cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximatelyfive
minutes before turning off. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’tbe
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
on. The recirculation mode can be used with vent and
bi-level modes, but it cannot be used withfloor,
defog, defrost or outside air modes.
Temperature Control:Use the driver’s and
passenger’s temperature levers to increase or decrease
the air temperature inside your vehicle.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is
pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the coolest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
4. Select A/C.
5. Select the recirculation mode.Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate controls system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air to the windshield
and thefloor outlets. When you select this mode,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets, with some
air directed to thefloor outlets. In this mode, the system
will automatically turn off recirculation and run the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot
be selected while in the defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximatelyfive
minutes before turning off. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’tbe
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
Your vehicle may have the dual automatic climate
control system. With this system you can control the
heating, cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When the driver’s temperature
knob is pressed to select AUTO and the temperature is
set, the system will automatically control the inside
temperature, the air delivery and the fan speed. AUTO
will also appear on the display.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the driver’s temperature knob.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
2. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting.
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature will
not cause the system to heat or cool any faster.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle
until warmer air is available. Then, as the air warms,
it will be delivered through the instrument panel
outlets. The length of time needed for warm up will
depend on the outside temperature and the
length of time that has elapsed since your vehicle
was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from
10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature as
necessary.
Manual Operation
MODE:Press this button to manually change the
direction of airflow in your vehicle; keep pressing the
button until the desired mode appears on the display.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs approximately half of
the air to the instrument panel outlets, then directs
the remaining air to thefloor outlets and the defroster
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to
the upper outlets and warmer air to thefloor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets. Use this mode to send air to the rear of the
vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats free of
objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of
the vehicle.
The MODE button can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see“Defogging
and Defrosting”later in this section.
9(Fan):Press this button to increase to decrease
the fan speed; keep pressing the up or down arrow until
the desired fan speed appears on the display.
VENT:Press this button to turn the outside air mode on
or off. When this mode is on, outside air will be
circulated throughout your vehicle. VENT can be used
with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode.
@(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light will
come on. The air-conditioning compressor also comes
on. The recirculation mode can be used with vent
and bi-level modes, but it cannot be used withfloor,
defog, defrost or outside air modes.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
Temperature Control:Use the DRIVER knob to
increase or decrease the air temperature inside your
vehicle. If the front passenger would like the temperature
to be warmer or cooler, use the PASS knob to adjust
the passenger’s temperature.
Air Conditioning:The air-conditioning compressor will
automatically come on when a temperature cooler
than the interior temperature is chosen using the
temperature knobs.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select the coolest temperature.
4. Select the highest fan speed.Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
inside of your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate controls system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
Use the MODE button to select the defog mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs air to the windshield and
thefloor outlets. When you select this mode, the
system turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
Press the defrost button to select defrost.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM