
5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Lamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened and you turn the ignition to
OFF while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered. The DRL
system will make your reduced intensity high-beam
headlamps come on in daylight when:
•The ignition is on,
•the exterior lamps control is in AUTO, and
•the shift lever is not in PARK (P).When the DRL are on, only your reduced intensity
high-beam headlamps will be on. Your instrument panel
won’t be lit up.
When it’s dark enough outside, the exterior lamps will
come on automatically. When it’s bright enough outside,
the exterior lamps will go out and the DRL will turn
on. Of course, you may still turn on the headlamps any
time you need to.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When the exterior lamps control is turned to AUTO, the
headlamps and parking lamps will come on
automatically when it is dark enough outside.
The lamps will come on automatically if:
•It is dark enough outside,
•the ignition is in ON,
•the parking brake is released, and
•the exterior lamps control is in the AUTO position.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Fog Lamps
The fog lamp button is
located on the exterior
lamp control.
Push the FOG PUSH button to turn the fog lamps on.
The FOG light next to the fog lamp button indicates the
fog lamps are on. To turn off the fog lamps, press the
fog lamp button or turn the ignition off.
If you turn on the fog lamps while the DRL are on, the
parking lamps will turn on automatically.
Your fog lamps will go off when you switch to high
beams. When you return to low beam, the fog lamps
will come back on. Using your high beams in fog is not
recommended.
Interior Lamps
Your interior lamps control
is located below the
exterior lamps control.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Press the knob to extend it. Turn the knob to adjust the
instrument panel brightness. Press the knob in when
not in use.
Interior Lamps Control
OFF:Turn the control to this position to turn off the
interior lamps.
DOOR:Turn the control to this position to turn on the
interior lamps while any door is opened and while
the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
ON:Turn the control to this position to turn on the
interior lamps.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

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

See each of these messages in the Index for more
information.
Under warning conditions, the CHECK GAGES icon will
illuminate in the HUD. Look at the instrument panel
cluster for more information.
Notice:Although the HUD image appears to be
near the front of the vehicle, do not use it as
a parking aid. The HUD was not designed for that
purpose. If you try to use it as such, you may
misjudge the distance and damage your vehicle.The HUD controls are
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will
always be displayed. The current radio station, cassette
tape or CD number and track number will only be
displayed for three seconds after the radio, tape or CD
track status changes. This will happen whenever
one of the radio controls is pressed, either on the radio
or on the audio steering wheel controls (if equipped).
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

URPA can be turned off by
pressing the rear park aid
disable switch located
in the instrument panel
switchbank. When
the system is disabled an
indicator light will glow
on the switch. You will not
see any lights on the
rear display if the switch is
in the off position.
How the System Works
Unless disabled, the URPA will turn on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into REVERSE (R). When
the system turns on, the three lights on the display
will illuminate for one and a half seconds to let you know
that the system is working. If your vehicle is moving in
REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h),
the red light willflash to remind you that the system
does not work at speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).If an object is detected at a REVERSE (R) speed of
less than 3 mph (5 km/h), one of the following will occur:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft. 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in. 1.0 m
amber/amber/red lights &
continuous chime20 in. 0.5 m
amber/amber/red lights
flashing & continuous
chime1 ft 0.3 m
A chime will sound thefirst time an object is detected
between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m) away.
URPA cannot detect objects that are above liftgate level.
In order for the rear sensors to recognize an object, it
must be within detection range behind the vehicle.
When the System Does Not Seem to Work
Properly
The light mayflash red when the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R) if the ultrasonic sensors are not kept
clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free of mud,
dirt, snow, ice and slush. Other conditions that may
affect system performance include things like the
vibrations from a jackhammer or the compression of air
brakes on a very large truck. If after cleaning the
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray is located on thefloor console closest to
the instrument panel. Lift the lid to expose the ashtray.
The ashtray removes by lifting it up.
The cigarette lighter is located on thefloor console in
the cell phone storage compartment closest to the
driver’s seat. Lift the lid to expose the cigarette lighter.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your
hand while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Notice:Don’t put papers or otherflammable
items into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them, causing
a damagingfire.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airflow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
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)(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

Dual Climate Control System
Your vehicle may have a dual climate control system.
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airflow inside of your vehicle.
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 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 counterclockwise until it stops to turn
off the fan. The fan must be turned on for the air
conditioning compressor to operate.
:(Outside Air):Press this button to turn the
outside air mode on or off. When this mode is on,
outside air will circulate throughout your vehicle. When
this mode is on, an indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know that it is activated. The outside
air mode 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
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2003 - Rendezvous OM