2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS coolant temperature

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In
very cold weather, 0°F(−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F(0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
electrical cord is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause afire. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
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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
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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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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
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Traction Active Message
If your vehicle has the traction control system, the
TRACTION ACTIVE message will appear when the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message will stay on for a few seconds after the traction
control system stops limiting wheel spin.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message
This message will come on when your engine gets
too hot.
If this message comes on, 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. United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
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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.
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Engine Overheating
You willfind an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-40. You also have
an engine coolant temperature warning message on
your instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message on page 3-45.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternatesfiring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See“Engine Oil”in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
CAUTION: (Continued)
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97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-51for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote @.) (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxleuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxleuid, change both
theuid andlter.150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-19for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM