
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

To raise the seatback, do one of the following:
•From the rear of the vehicle, pull up on the lever to
release the seatback. Then pull the strap, located
on the right side of the seat, to pull the seatback up.
The seatback has a pocket to stow the strap on
the side of the seatback when not in use, or
•from the passenger’s side door, pull up on the lever
to release the seatback. Then push up on the
seatback to raise the seat.
Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is
locked into the upright position.
Removing the Stowable Seat
1. Remove the convenience center, if it is in the
vehicle. SeeRear Convenience Center on
page 2-42for more information.
2. Make sure all items are off the stowable seat.
3. If the seatback is down, put the seatback in
its upright position before removing the seat.
See“Folding the Seatback”listed previously.
4. From the front of the bench seat, remove the two
nuts from the brackets, located on thefloor on
each side.5. From behind the bench seat, fold the
seatback down.
6. Remove the rear nuts located on thefloor on
each side.
7. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the
rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out through
the rear of the vehicle. This should be done in one
motion.
8. Put the nuts back onto the screws so the nuts do
not get misplaced.
Replacing the Stowable Seat
{CAUTION:
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.
1-17
2003 - Rendezvous OM

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

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-6
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking.............................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-10
Lockout Protection........................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Liftgate........................................................2-11
Windows........................................................2-13
Power Windows............................................2-14
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-15
PASS-Key
®III ..............................................2-16
PASS-Key®III Operation...............................2-17Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-18
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-18
Ignition Positions..........................................2-19
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-20
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-21
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-22
Parking Brake..............................................2-25
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-28
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-29
Engine Exhaust............................................2-29
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-30
Mirrors...........................................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-31
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-31
Outside Power Mirror....................................2-31
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror.....................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-32
OnStar®System.............................................2-32
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
2003 - Rendezvous OM

HomeLink®Transmitter...................................2-34
Programming the HomeLink®Transmitter.........2-34
Storage Areas................................................2-37
Glove Box...................................................2-37
Cupholder(s)................................................2-37
Cell Phone Storage Area...............................2-38
Overhead Console........................................2-38
Floor Console Storage Area...........................2-38
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-38
Roof Rack System........................................2-39
Rear Storage Area........................................2-41
Convenience Net..........................................2-42
Cargo Cover................................................2-42
Rear Convenience Center..............................2-42Sunroof.........................................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-46
Entering Programming Mode..........................2-46
Headlamp Exit Delay.....................................2-47
Automatic Door Lock/Unlock...........................2-48
Delayed Locking...........................................2-49
Remote Driver Unlock Control........................2-50
Remote Lock and Unlock Confirmation.............2-50
Exiting Programming Mode.............................2-51
Memory Seat...............................................2-52
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2
2003 - Rendezvous OM

The key can be used for
the ignition as well as all
the door locks, the
floor console and the
glovebox.
If you need a new key, contact your dealer, who can
obtain the correct key code.
Your vehicle has the PASS-Key
®III vehicle theft
system. The key has a transponder in the key head that
matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column.
If a replacement key or any additional key is needed,
you must purchase this key from your dealer. The
key will have PK3
®stamped on it. Keep the bar code
tag that came with the original keys. Give this tag to your
dealer if you need a new key made.Any new PASS-Key
®III key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. SeePASS-Key®III on
page 2-16for more information on programming
your new key.
Notice:Your vehicle has a number of features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
spare keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call Buick
Roadside Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-5for more information.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar
®system with
an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar
®may be able to send a command to
unlock your vehicle. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-32
for more information.
2-4
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
With this feature, you can
lock and unlock your doors
from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m)
away using the remote
keyless entry transmitter
supplied with your vehicle.
UNLOCK:Press UNLOCK to unlock only the driver’s
door. If you press UNLOCK again withinfive seconds,
the passengers’doors will unlock.
If you would like all the doors to unlock thefirst time
you press UNLOCK, seeVehicle Personalization
on page 2-46.
The UNLOCK button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter will disarm the content theft-deterrent system.
SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15for more
information.If you would like to program the way the headlamps and
parking lamps operate with remote unlock confirmation,
seeVehicle Personalization on page 2-46. If your
vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center
(DIC), seeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-57.
LOCK:To lock all doors, press LOCK.
The LOCK button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter will arm the content theft-deterrent system.
SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15for more
information.
If you would like to program the way the headlamps,
parking lamps and horn operate with remote lock
confirmation, seeVehicle Personalization on page 2-46.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), seeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-57.
REAR:To unlock the liftgate, press REAR. SeeLiftgate
on page 2-11for more information.
Remote Alarm
L
:Press the button with the horn symbol to make the
headlamps and parking lampsflash and the horn
sound. This will allow you to attract attention, if needed.
Press the button with the horn symbol again to stop
the alarm from sounding, or the alarm will turn off after
90 seconds.
2-6
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