To adjust the HUD so you can see it properly:
1. Start your engine and turn the dimmer knob to the
desired HUD image brightness.
The brightness of the HUD image is determined by
the ambient light conditions in the direction your
vehicle is facing and where you have the HUD
dimmer knob set. If you are facing a dark object or
a heavily shaded area, your HUD may anticipate
that you are entering a dark area and may begin
to dim.
2. Adjust the driver’s seat. If you change your seat
position, you may have to readjust your HUD.
3. Press the UP or DN buttons until the HUD image is
easy to see and then press the DN button until the
HUD image is as low as possible, but remains
in full view straight ahead near the front bumper.
The HUD image can only be adjusted up and down,
not side-to-side.
4. To turn the image off, turn the dimmer knob
counterclockwise until it stops.
If the sun comes out or it becomes cloudy, you may
need to adjust the HUD brightness again using
the dimmer knob. Polarized sunglasses could make the
HUD image harder to see.When youfirst start the vehicle the display will show
BUICK and the Buick logo for a few seconds. If it is cold
outside, this display may stay on for up to a minute.
Clean the inside of the windshield as needed to remove
any dirt orfilm that reduces the sharpness or clarity
of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD, spray household glass cleaner on a
soft, clean cloth. Wipe the HUD lens gently, then dry
it. Do not spray cleaner directly on the lens because the
cleaner could leak into the unit.
If the ignition is on and you can’t see the HUD image,
check to see if one of the following conditions exist:
•The HUD unit is covered,
•the HUD dimmer knob is adjusted incorrectly,
•the HUD image is not adjusted to the proper height,
•ambient light (in the direction your vehicle is
facing) is low, or
•a fuse is blown. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-86.
If you ever have to have your windshield replaced, be
sure to get one that is designed for the HUD or your
HUD image may look blurred and out of focus.
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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
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
rear bumper and then driving forward at least 15 mph
(25 km/h), the display continues toflash red, see
your dealer.
If a trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was on the back of, or hanging out of your
liftgate during your last drive cycle, the light may
alsoflash red. The light will continue toflash whenever
in REVERSE (R) until your vehicle is driven forward
at least 15 mph (25 km/h) without any obstructions
behind the vehicle.
For cleaning instructions, seeCleaning the Outside of
Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in electrical
equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio.
There is one front power outlet/cigarette lighter located
on thefloor console in the cell phone storage
compartment.
There are also two rear power outlets. One is located in
the rear of thefloor console below the vents. The
other is located in the rear of the vehicle on the driver’s
side behind the access door.
Pull the cover down to use an accessory power outlet.
When not in use, always cover the accessory power
outlets with the protective cap.Notice:When using an accessory power outlet,
maximum electrical load must not exceed 20 amps.
Always turn off any electrical equipment when
not in use. Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain your battery.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on the accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding some electrical equipment to your
vehicle can damage it or keep other things from
working as they should. This wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty. Check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment, and never use anything
that exceeds the amperage rating.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Power outlets are designed for accessory
plugs only. Do not hang any type of accessory
or accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause damage not covered
by your warranty.
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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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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
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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