2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS hood release

The main components of the instrument panel are the
following:
A. Exterior/Interior Lamps Control
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Shift Lever
F. Instrument Panel Outlets
G. Audio System
H. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
I. Head-Up Display Switch and Driver Information
Center (DIC) Controls
J. Hood Release
K. Ignition Switch
L. Climate Controls
M. Instrument Panel Switchbank
N. Front Armrest Storage
O. Ashtray/Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power
Outlet/Cell Phone Storage/Purse Storage/Cupholders
P. Floor Console Fuse Block
Q. Glove BoxHazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood......................................................5-9
Hood Release................................................5-9
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-10
Engine Oil...................................................5-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-15
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-17
Engine Coolant.............................................5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-21
Engine Overheating.......................................5-22
Cooling System............................................5-24
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32
Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-41
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-43
Headlamps..................................................5-43
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-45
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-45
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-47
Tires..............................................................5-48
Inflation -- Tire Pressure................................5-49
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-49
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-51
When It Is Time for New Tires
.......................5-52
Buying New Tires
.........................................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
..........................5-54
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
..................5-55
Wheel Replacement
......................................5-55
Section 5Service and Appearance Care
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start afire. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brakefluid, windshield washer and
otherfluids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release handle, located on the
driver’s side under the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and slide the
secondary hood release handle from left to right.
3. Lift the hood.
4. If your vehicle has a prop rod, place it in the slot on
the underside of the hood.
Before closing the hood be sure that all of thefiller caps
are on properly, then let the hood down and close it
firmly.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly ination check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inated to
the correct tire ination pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the folding
wrench to tighten the cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-59.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-15.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxleuid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-17.Auid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch assemblies,
secondary latches, pivots, spring anchor and release
pawl, hood and door hinges, rear folding seats and
liftgate hinges. Part D tells you what to use. More
frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-11.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-19.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulit-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Carrier
Assembly—
Differential
(Rear Drive
Module)
and Transfer
Case (Power
Transfer Unit)VERSATRAK™Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12378514, in Canada
88901045).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
Hinges, Rear
Folding SeatMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
6-15
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
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2003 - Rendezvous OM