Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-5
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
.......................................1-26
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-45
Restraint System Check
............................1-55
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-35
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-36
Storage Areas
.........................................2-40
Sunroof
..................................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-45
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-27
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-43
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-56Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-45
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-51
Rear Axle
...............................................5-51
Front Axle
...............................................5-53
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-56
Tires
......................................................5-59
Appearance Care
.....................................5-92
Vehicle Identi cation
...............................5-101
Electrical System
....................................5-102
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-113
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index.................................................................1
2004 Buick Rainier Owner ManualM
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever will return by itself when you
release it. The bottom of the outside rearview mirrors may
also be equipped with lane change indicators.As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows ash
more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-103and check for burned-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring
for the trailer lamps, a different turn signal asher
is used. With this asher installed, the signal indicator
will ash even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check
the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make
sure they are working.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the
turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
3-8
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re
towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle
before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
4-60
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............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-32
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-38
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-44
Jump Starting...............................................5-45
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-51
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
Headlamps..................................................5-54
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-59
In ation - Tire Pressure.................................5-67
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-70
Buying New Tires.........................................5-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-72
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-73
Wheel Replacement......................................5-74
Tire Chains..................................................5-75
Accessory In ator.........................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-78
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-79
Spare Tire...................................................5-92
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 5-55.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the grille by grasping and pulling
it forward.
3. Lift the inner quick release clips.
4. Pull the headlamp assembly away from
the vehicle.
5. Remove the cover from the headlamp bulb.
6. Disconnect the wiring harness.
7. Remove the headlamp bulb by turning
the socket counterclockwise.
8. To install the replacement bulb,
reverse Steps 1 through 6.
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the two
screws from the
lamp assembly.
3. Pull the assembly away from the vehicle.
5-54
4. Unclip the wiring harness (A) and remove the
three socket retaining screws (B).
5. Remove the socket by releasing the retaining tabs.
6. Holding the socket, pull the bulb to release it from
the socket.
7. To install the replacement bulbs, reverse
Steps 1 through 6.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Halogen Headlamps
Low Beam 9006 HB4
High Beam 9005 HB3
Front Sidemarker Lamp 194
Front Park Lamp 194
Front Turn Lamp 3757 A
Taillamps 3057
Rear Turn Signal Lamps 3057
For any bulb not listed here, contact your dealer.
5-55
Audio System(s) (cont.)
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-115
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-116
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-116
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-99
Audio Systems
Radio Personalization.................................3-112
Audio System(s)
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-68
Radio with CD............................................3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-84
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-111
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-112
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-114
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-116
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-24
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Backglass Wiper Blade Replacement.................5-58
Backing Up....................................................4-60
Battery..........................................................5-44BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-53
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-36
Before You Drive............................................3-99
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-16
Brake
Parking......................................................2-26
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brake Adjustment............................................5-43
Brake Fluid....................................................5-41
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-22
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-43
Brake Wear...................................................5-43
Brakes..........................................................5-41
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-54
Headlamps.................................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-71
2
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
In ation - Tire Pressure...................................5-67
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-28
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
8