2004 BUICK RAINIER power steering

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located in the
engine compartment.
It is on the passenger’s
side of vehicles with the
L6 engine and is on
the driver’s side of vehicles
with the V8 engine. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14
for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the uid level on the dipstick.
For vehicles with the L6 engine, the level should be at the
C (cold) mark. For vehicles with the V8 engine, the level
should be at the FULL mark. If necessary, add only
enough uid to bring the level up to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-39

(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter “LT” as
the rst two characters in the tire size means a light
truck tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example,
if the tire size aspect ratio is “75,” as shown in item “C”
of the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall
is 75% as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
“R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire. The
load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from “A” to “Z”. The light truck tire size example
above shows dual or single tire congurations.Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
5-64

Additional Required Services (cont’d)
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(41 500)50,000
(83 000)75,000
(125 000)100,000
(166 000)125,000
(207 500)150,000
(240 000)
Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.•
V8 engine only: Inspect spark plug
wires.An Emission Control Service.•
Engine cooling system service
(or every 5 years, whichever occurs
rst).An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.•
Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts
or signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc.
6-7

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 which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine
the proper viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil
on page 5-18.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-27.
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
or equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
6-12

A
Accessory Inator...........................................5-76
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-53
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-40
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-102
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-22
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-60, 3-72, 3-87
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-29
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-30
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-45
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-52
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-55
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-52
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-53
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-51
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-49
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-23
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-51All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................2-26
All-Wheel-Drive Service Light............................3-41
AM .............................................................3-114
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-116
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-116
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-34
Appearance Care............................................5-92
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-96
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-99
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-93
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-96
Finish Damage............................................5-99
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-99
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-99
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-100
Weatherstrips..............................................5-96
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-21
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio Output................................................3-108
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-113
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-114
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-116
1

Finding a Station............................3-59, 3-70, 3-86
Finish Care....................................................5-97
Finish Damage...............................................5-99
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-116
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-78
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-79
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-24
Power Steering...........................................5-39
Windshield Washer......................................5-40
FM Stereo....................................................3-114
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Following Distance..........................................4-60
Front Axle......................................................5-53
Front Storage Area.........................................2-41
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42Fuel Information..............................................3-45
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-54
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-103
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-102
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-34
Fuel..........................................................3-42
Oil Pressure...............................................3-38
Speedometer..............................................3-29
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-36
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-41
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-39
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-18
Glove Box.....................................................2-40
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities............................................. 7-6
7

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamps....................................................5-54
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-54
Electrical System.......................................5-102
Headphones.................................................3-106
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-37
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-38
Hitches..........................................................4-57
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-36
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-37
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-34
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-36
How to Add Fluid............................................5-26
How to Check........................................5-25, 5-68
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-52How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-39
How to Inspect...............................................5-24
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
Hydroplaning..................................................4-32
I
ICE POSSIBLE..............................................3-54
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-31
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-30
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-36
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-37
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-42
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-44
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-54
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-28
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-67
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-28
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
8

Personalization...............................................3-46
Personalization, Climate Controls......................3-26
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-8
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-78
Playing a CD.................................3-66, 3-81, 3-93
Playing a Specic Loaded CD..........................3-94
Playing the Radio...........................3-58, 3-69, 3-85
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-19
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.......................................5-102
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-40
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-39
Windows....................................................2-16
Power Steering...............................................4-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-10
Programmable Locking Feature.........................2-11
Programmable Unlocking Feature......................2-12
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-37
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-12
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-29
Radio Data System (RDS)...............3-57, 3-69, 3-84
Radio Messages.....................................3-63, 3-75
Radios..........................................................3-56
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-114
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-116
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-115
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-99
Radio Personalization.................................3-112
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-68
Radio with CD............................................3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-84
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-111
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-112
Understanding Reception............................3-114
RDS Messages..............................3-62, 3-74, 3-89
Reading Lamps..............................................3-18
REAR ACCESS OPEN....................................3-54
Rear Axle......................................................5-51
Locking......................................................4-11
Rear Climate Control System............................3-25
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Floor Storage Lid....................................2-43
12