2005 BUICK RAINIER brake

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-25if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-25if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to RUN, but do
not start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer
for service.
6-10

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

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. GM
Goodwrench
®oil meets all the
requirements for your vehicle. To
determine the proper viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine, seeEngine
Oil on page 5-16.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
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. Look for
“Approved for the H-Specication”
on the label.
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.
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12378261, in
Canada 10953455) meeting GM
Specication 9986115.
6-12

Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.
Some information may be stored during regular
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;
other information is stored only in a crash event by
computer systems, such as those commonly called event
data recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle
may record information about the condition of the vehicle
and how it was operated, such as data related to engine
speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle speed,
safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag performance,
and the severity of a collision. This information has been
used to improve vehicle crash performance and may be
used to improve crash performance of future vehicles and
driving safety. Unlike the data recorders on many
airplanes, these on-board systems do not record sounds,
such as conversation of vehicle occupants.To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the device that stores
the data is required. GM will not access information
about a crash event or share it with others other than:with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
as required by law.
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may:
use the data for GM research needs,
make it available for research where appropriate
condentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
share summary data which is not tied to a specic
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the device that stores
the data.
If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar
®, please check
the OnStar®subscription service agreement or manual
for information on its operations and data collection.
7-9

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a
situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-521-7300, or write:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-11

A
Accessory Inator...........................................5-67
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-60
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-92
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-21
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-30
Readiness Light..........................................3-29
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-46
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-60
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-53
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-55
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-60
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-53
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-54
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-51
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-48
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-46
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................2-25
All-Wheel-Drive Service Light............................3-41Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-124
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-124
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-34
Appearance Care............................................5-83
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-88
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-86
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-89
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-87
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83
Finish Care.................................................5-87
Finish Damage............................................5-89
Glass Surfaces............................................5-85
Instrument Panel.........................................5-85
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-85
Leather......................................................5-85
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-89
Tires..........................................................5-89
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-89
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-90
Vinyl..........................................................5-85
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-86
Weatherstrips..............................................5-86
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-88
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Assist Handles...............................................2-47
1

Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-121
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-123
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-124
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-124
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-124
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-124
Navigation/Radio System.............................3-119
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-81
Radio with CD....................................3-57, 3-67
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-95
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-120
Setting the Time..........................................3-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-121
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-122
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-124
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-40
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-34Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-25
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-21
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-50
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-102
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-28, 4-38, 4-50
2

Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-26
Overview..................................................... 3-4
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-41
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-54
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-18
Dome........................................................3-16
Dome Lamp Override...................................3-17
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Reading.....................................................3-17LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-40
Liftgate/Liftglass..............................................2-13
Liftglass/Liftgate..............................................2-13
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-34
Brake System Warning.................................3-32
Change Engine Oil......................................3-39
Charging System.........................................3-31
Check Gages Warning.................................3-41
Check Gas Cap..........................................3-42
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Gate Ajar...................................................3-41
Highbeam On.............................................3-40
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-30
Reduced Engine Power................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-28
Security.....................................................3-39
Service All-Wheel-Drive................................3-41
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-17
Exit...........................................................3-17
7