2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS warning

Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
If your brakefluid is low, the warning message will
come on and stay on until you add brakefluid.
The brake system warning light will also be illuminated.
If this message appears, the brakes need attention.
You should have your vehicle serviced immediately. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-38andBrakes
on page 5-33.
If the warning message is still on after addingfluid,
you may need to reset the warning message. To reset
the warning message, turn the ignition off and then
back on. If the message stays on, see your dealer
right away.
Service Vehicle Soon Message
This light will come on if your vehicle has certain
non-emission related problems.
For example, if the entire electrical system fails to send
and receive messages from the vehicle’s components,
this message will come on.
These problems may not be obvious and may affect
vehicle performance or durability. Consult a qualified
dealership for necessary repairs to maintain top vehicle
performance. United States
CanadaUnited StatesCanada
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Program Mode Message
If you receive this message, your vehicle is in program
mode. You are ready to begin programming your
vehicle’s customization features.
If your vehicle does not have the Driver Information
Center (DIC), seeVehicle Personalization on page 2-46.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), seeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-57.
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter
Battery Low Warning Message
If you receive this message, the battery in the remote
keyless entry needs to be replaced. See“Battery
Replacement”underRemote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-6for instructions. United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
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Park Lamp Warning Message
If you receive this message, one or both of the vehicle’s
parking lamp bulbs needs replacement. SeeBulb
Replacement on page 5-42for bulb replacement
instructions.
Highbeam Out Warning Message
If you receive this message, one or both of the vehicle’s
high-beam headlamp bulbs needs replacement. See
Bulb Replacement on page 5-42for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the display is located on the instrument
panel cluster in the tachometer gage. The DIC will show
information about the vehicle and the surroundings.
The DIC is capable of displaying English or French. See
DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-55to change
the display from English to metric.
The DIC contains a compass display to show you which
direction the vehicle is driving. United States
Canada
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Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light on
the instrument panel will come on briey when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here’s what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel. United States
Canada
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If you don’t have anti-lock, use a“squeeze”braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If youdohave
anti-lock, it’s different. See“Anti-Lock Brakes.”
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on when
the traction control system is limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Active Message on page 3-45. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When roadconditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See“Cruise Control”under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
If this message comes on and stays on or comes on
while you are driving, there’s a problem with your
traction control system.
SeeService Traction System Warning Message on
page 3-44. When this warning message is on, the TRAC
OFF light will come on to remind you that the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to. You
should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuckUnited States
Canada
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in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. SeeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-30.
To turn the system off,
press the TRAC OFF
button located on
the instrument panel
switchbank.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the
button, the message will go off, but the system will not
turn off until there is no longer a current need to limit
wheel spin. The TRAC OFF light will come on to remind
you the system is off. You can turn the system back on at
any time by pressing the button again. The traction
control system warning message should go off.All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
During heavy AWD applications, the engine torque may
be reduced to protect AWD system components. If
the vehicle is exposed to extended heavy AWD usage,
the AWD system will shut itself off to protect the
system from overheating. When the system cools down,
the AWD system will activate itself again automatically;
this cool-down can take up to 20 minutes depending
on outside temperature and vehicle use. SeeAll-Wheel
Drive Disable Warning Message on page 3-49.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
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conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues—such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a“mirrored surface”—and slow
down when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the
brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores
steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels
are rolling, you will have steering control.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired—by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
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Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through flowing
water, as you might at a low water crossing,
your vehicle can be carried away. As little as
six inches of flowing water can carry away a
smaller vehicle. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Don’t ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise be very
cautious about trying to drive through flowing
water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-48.
City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention
to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
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