Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................1-19
Child Restraints
.......................................1-45
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-67
Restraint System Check
............................1-76
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-32
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-37
Sunroof
..................................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-46
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-33
Message Center
.......................................3-44
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
........................................3-53
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-64Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under
the Hood
............................................... 5-9
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-41
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-47
Tires
......................................................5-48
Appearance Care
.....................................5-77
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-85
Electrical System
......................................5-85
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-92
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-93
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Buick Rendezvous Owner ManualM
2003 - Rendezvous Owner Manual
Q:If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A:You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident–even one that isn’t your fault–you and
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, seeOlder Children on page 1-45
orInfants and Young Children on page 1-47. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it
properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see“Seats”in the Index.
1-24
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the
handle won’t open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So,
wear safety belts properly and lock the
doors whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
To unlock either front door from the outside with the
key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of
the vehicle. To lock either front door from the outside
with your key, insert the key and turn it toward the rear
of the vehicle.
To unlock either manual
locking front door from the
inside, pull back on the
manual lever. To lock
either front door from the
inside, push the manual
lever forward.
2-8
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the“driver lost control”accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems—steering and braking—have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
The same thing can happen if you’re steering through
a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems—steering and acceleration—canoverwhelm those places where the tires meet the road
and make you lose control. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-10.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can“drive”through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You
can avoid these problems by braking—if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action—steering around the
problem.
4-12
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Gasoline (cont.)
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-36
Glass Surfaces...............................................5-80
Glove Box.....................................................2-37
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hatch Ajar Warning Message............................3-48
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp Exit Delay.......................2-47, 3-15, 3-57
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-86
Headlamps....................................................5-43
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headphones...................................................3-94
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-18
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Highbeam Out Warning Message......................3-53
Highway Hypnosis
...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
..................................4-24
Hitches
..........................................................4-37
HomeLink
®Transmitter
....................................2-34
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming
................2-34Hood
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-9
Release....................................................... 5-9
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How the System Works...................................3-22
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-26
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-28
How to Add Fluid............................................5-18
How to Check........................................5-17, 5-49
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-32
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-16
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-24
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-23
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-22
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-35
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-28
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-12
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-47
Inflation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-49
7
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Inspection
Brake System
.............................................6-14
Engine Cooling System
................................6-13
Exhaust System
..........................................6-13
Fuel System
...............................................6-13
Part C - Periodic Maintenance
.......................6-13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
.........................................6-13
Throttle System
...........................................6-14
All-Wheel Drive
...........................................6-14
Instrument Panel
Cluster
.......................................................3-34
Overview
..................................................... 3-4
Switchbank
.................................................3-18
Instrument Panel Brightness
.............................3-14
Integrated Windshield Antenna
........................3-110
Interior Lamps
................................................3-14
Interior Lamps Control
.....................................3-14
Interior Lighting Delay
......................................3-58
Interior Lighting On
.........................................3-59
Interior Plastic Components
..............................5-80
J
Jump Starting
.................................................5-36
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-10
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lamps on Reminder........................................3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................1-24, 1-35, 1-38
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-59
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-61
Leather.........................................................5-79
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-27
Liftgate..........................................................2-11
Liftgate Release..............................................2-12
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-37
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-39
Brake System Warning.................................3-38
Cruise Control.............................................3-43
8
2003 - Rendezvous OM