2004 BUICK RAINIER power steering

What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inates?
After the air bag inates, it quickly deates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inated. Some components of the air bag module will
be hot for a short time. These components include
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal air bag
and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
frontal air bag. For vehicles with side impact air
bags, the side of the seatback closest to the driver’s
and/or right front passenger’s door will be hot.
The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deated air bags. Air bag ination doesn’t prevent
the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an air bag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment,
you should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically
unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when
the air bags inate (if battery power is available).
You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps
off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls.
1-53

The main components of your instrument panel
are the following:
A. Exterior Lamp Controls.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
B. Air Outlets. See “Outlet Adjustment”
underDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-20.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-7.
D. OnStar and Audio Steering Wheel Controls.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-113.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster.
SeeInstrument Panel Cluster
on page 3-28.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-113.
G. Ignition Switch.
SeeIgnition Positions
on page 2-20.
H. Audio System.
SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-56.I. Climate Controls.
SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-20.
J. Hood Release.
SeeHood Release on page 5-12.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Steering Wheel Controls.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-43.
L. Rear Window Washer/Wiper.
See “Rear Window Washer/Wiper”
underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-7.
M. Lighter.
SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-19.
N. Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAccessory Power Outlets
on page 3-19.
O. Rear Window Defogger.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-20.
P. Glove Box.
SeeGlove Box on page 2-40.
3-5

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Assist System (TAS)
If your vehicle has two-wheel drive, it has a Traction
Assist System (TAS) that limits wheel spin. This
is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The
system operates only if it senses that one or both of the
rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The low traction symbol next to the button will come on
when the TAS is limiting wheel spin. You may feel or
hear the system working, but this is normal.
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you
may notice a reduction in acceleration. This is normal
and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard
acceleration in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
4-9

Locking Rear Axle
Your locking rear axle can give you additional traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels
has no traction and the other does, this feature will allow
the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction.
If you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice,
you will understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you are
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding
the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeTraction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-11

Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
Use a low gear and get a rm grip on the steering
wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Do not use more power than you
need, because you do not want your wheels to
start spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.
If the path twists and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up
hills, always try to go straight up.
Ease up on your speed as you approach the top
of the hill.
Attach a ag to the vehicle to make you more
visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach the top of the
hill to let opposing traffic know you are there.
Use your headlamps even during the day.
They make you more visible to oncoming traffic.
{CAUTION:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed
can cause an accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even another
vehicle. You could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
4-22

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 Specications....................................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
Ination - 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 Inator.........................................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

A. Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-27.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-23.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-39.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-24.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.G. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
I. Remote Negative (–) TerminalMarked GND.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-45.
J. Brake Master Cylinder.
SeeBrakes on page 5-41.
K. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-44.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
See “Engine Compartment Fuse Block” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
5-15

A. Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-27.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 5-23.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-24.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.G. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
H. Remote Negative (-) Terminal Marked GND.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-45.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
J. Brake Master Cylinder.
SeeBrakes on page 5-41.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
See “Engine Compartment Fuse block” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
L. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-44.
5-17