2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS coolant level

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-5
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-18
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-21
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-23
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Climate Control System.................................3-24
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-27
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-29
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-32
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-34
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-37
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light
..........................3-38
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
.............3-39Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Fuel Gage...................................................3-43
Message Center.............................................3-44
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-44
Traction Active Message................................3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message..................................................3-45
Charging System Indicator Message................3-46
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-46
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-47
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-47
Low Tire Message........................................3-48
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-48
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message..................3-48
PASS-Key
®III Security Message....................3-49
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message.......3-49
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-50
Low Fuel Warning Message
...........................3-50
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
.................3-51
Service Vehicle Soon Message
.......................3-51
Program Mode Message
................................3-52
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning Message
...............................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
2003 - Rendezvous OM

If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If
you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-22.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the
United States or Check Engine Light in
Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK
ENGINE light comes on to indicate that there is a
problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will
be indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to United StatesCanada
United StatesCanada
3-40
2003 - Rendezvous OM

E. Brake Master Cylinder
F. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
G. Battery
H. Radiator Pressure Cap
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Engine Oil Dipstick
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
L. Coolant Recovery Tank
Engine Oil
If the low engine oil level message appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away. For more information,
seeLow Engine Oil Level Message on page 3-47.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is
located at the front of the
engine compartment,
near the center. The
dipstick handle has a
bright, yellow loop design
for easy identification.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-10for
more information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-11
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Notice:We recommend you use onlyfluid labeled
DEXRON®-III, becausefluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused byfluid other than DEXRON
®-III is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After addingfluid, recheck thefluid level as
described under“How to Check.”
4. When the correctfluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle isfilled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occursfirst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−34°F(−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning messages and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL®is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occursfirst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®is not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
5-19
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be above the FULL COLD mark
or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery tank.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap -- even a little -- when the engine and
radiator are hot.Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-24.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
overflow tube on the radiatorfiller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located at the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for more information on location.
5-21
2003 - Rendezvous OM

If there’s still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while you’re parked. If you still have the
warning,turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicleuntil it cools down. Also, see“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
5-24
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an enginefire, and you could be
burned. Get any leakfixed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
See“Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode”in the Index for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL®is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner—at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever occursfirst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®is not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
5-25
2003 - Rendezvous OM

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50
mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®
engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-19for more information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catchfire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
5-26
2003 - Rendezvous OM