2005 BUICK RAINIER instrument panel

Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active, the system will control the inside temperature,
the air delivery mode, and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet mode will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor will run
when the outside temperature is over approximately
40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be set to
outside air. If it’s hot outside, the air inlet will
automatically switch to recirculate inside air to help
quickly cool down your vehicle.
2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 72°F (22°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Turn the driver’s or
passenger’s side temperature knob to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C), the system
will remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C),
the system will remain at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting may not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Manual Operation
To change the current setting, select one of the
following:
w9x(Fan):This button allows you to manually
adjust the fan speed. Press the up arrow to increase fan
speed and the down arrow to decrease fan speed.
The display will change to show you the selected fan
speed and the driver’s side temperature setting for
ve seconds.
C(Mode):Press this button to manually change the
direction of the airow in your vehicle. Keep pressing the
button until the desired mode appears on the display.
The display will change to show you the selected
air delivery mode and the driver’s temperature setting
for ve seconds.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs approximately half of
the air to the instrument panel outlets, then directs
the remaining air to the oor outlets. A little air is
directed toward the windshield and the side window
outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the oor outlets.
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the side
of your instrument panel to direct the airow.
Operation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlets free of ice, snow,
or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The
heater and defroster will work far better, reducing
the chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan knob all the way to the right for a few moments
before driving. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of your window.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Adding outside equipment to the front of your
vehicle, such as hood-air deectors, may affect the
performance of the heating and air conditioning
system. Check with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Rear Climate Control System
The lower buttons on the rear seat audio are used to
adjust the rear seat climate controls. The temperature of
the air coming through the rear outlets is determined
by the front passenger’s temperature setting.
z9y(Fan)Press this button to adjust the fan
speed.
z\y(Mode)Press this button to change the
direction of airow (panel, bi-level or oor) to the rear
seat area.
P(On/Off) Press this button to turn the rear climate
controls on or off.
The rear control will only turn on if the front is on and
not in defrost mode.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, about how much fuel you’ve used, and many other things you’ll need to know to drive safely
and economically.
United States version shown, Canada similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip stem located on
the instrument panel cluster.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. The new one will be set to
the correct mileage total of the old odometer.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
Your vehicle’s odometer works together with the Driver
Information Center (DIC). You can set a Trip A and
Trip B odometer. See “Trip Information” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-44The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip stem on the
instrument panel cluster.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the
old odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays
the engine speed in
revolutions per
minute (rpm).
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensors, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 1-46.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle may have this feature. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) display is located on the
instrument panel cluster, below the speedometer. The
DIC buttons, if equipped, are located on the steering
wheel. The DIC can display information such as the trip
odometer, fuel economy, customization features and
warning/status messages.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the DIC steering
wheel buttons, you will not have all of the features listed.
You will scroll through the odometer, trip odometer
and engine hours by pressing the trip odometer reset
stem located on the instrument panel cluster. You
will also turn off, or acknowledge, DIC messages by
pressing the trip odometer reset stem. SeeSpeedometer
and Odometer on page 3-27for information on
features for vehicles without DIC buttons.A
3(Trip Information):Press this button to display
the odometer, trip odometers, timer and engine hours.
B
r(Fuel Information):Press this button to display
the current range, fuel used, average fuel economy and
engine oil life.
C
4(Customization):Press this button to access the
vehicle settings menu and customize the personal
settings on your vehicle.
D
r(Select):Press this button to reset certain DIC
functions and set your customization settings.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge
DIC messages and clear them from the DIC display.
3-43

ENGINE COOLANT HOT/ENGINE
OVERHEATED
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC and you will hear a chime. See
Engine Overheating on page 5-27for the proper course
of action. This message will clear when the coolant
temperature drops to a safe operating temperature.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27for more information.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low in the vehicle’s gas tank this
message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a
chime. Refuel as soon as possible. Press the select
button to acknowledge this message and clear it from
the DIC display. SeeLow Fuel Warning Light on
page 3-42,Filling Your Tank on page 5-7andFuel on
page 5-5for more information.
ICE POSSIBLE
If the outside temperature reaches a level where ice
could form on the roadway, this message may appear
on the DIC. If the temperature rises to a safe level,
the message will clear. Press the select button to
acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC
display.
KEY FOB # BATTERY LOW
If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this
message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs
to be replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery
Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-5. Press the select button to
acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC
display.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR
If the driver’s side rear door is not fully closed this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door
for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if
the message still appears on the DIC. Press the
select button to acknowledge this message and clear it
from the DIC display.
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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.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27.
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