
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-20
Child Restraints
.......................................1-43
Airbag System
.........................................1-67
Restraint System Check
............................1-83
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-33
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-38
Sunroof
..................................................2-47
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-47
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-37
Message Center
.......................................3-51Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-62
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-75
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-36
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-53
Tires
......................................................5-55
Appearance Care
.....................................5-95
Vehicle Identi cation
...............................5-103
Electrical System
....................................5-104
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-112
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
2005 Buick Rendezvous Owner ManualM

PASS-Key®III Operation
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key®III
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III is a passive
theft deterrent system.
This means you don’t have
to do anything different
to arm or disarm the
system. It works when you
insert or remove the key
from the ignition.
When the PASS-Key
®III system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s
starter and fuel systems. The starter will not work and
fuel will stop being delivered to the engine. Anyone
using a trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high number of electrical
key codes.
If the SECURITY message is shown on the Message
Center when trying to start the vehicle, the key may
have a damaged transponder. SeePASS-Key
®
III Security Message on page 3-57. Turn the ignition off
and try to start the vehicle again.If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be
undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time, you
may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-105. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the rst key may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the PASS-Key
®III to have a new
key made.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III decoder to program
the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up to
10 additional keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
This procedure is for programming additional keys only. If
all the currently programmed keys are lost or do not
operate, you must see your dealer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key
®III to have keys made and
programmed to the system.
See your dealer who can service PASS-Key
®III to get a
new key blank that is a cut exactly as the ignition key
that operates the system.
Canadian Owners:If you lose or damage your keys,
only a GM dealer can service PASS-Key
®III to
have new keys made. To program additional keys you
will need two current driver’s keys (black in color).
You must add a step to the following procedure. After
Step 3 repeat Steps 1 through 3 with the second current
driver’s key. Then continue with Step 4.
2-18

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In
very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum
of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
electrical cord is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-22

Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until
the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition
designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment
and defrost the windows more quickly.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
When going down a steep hill
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power, but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you can
use SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher speeds.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle will
not downshift into rst gear until the vehicle is going
slow enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-25

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Interior Lamps Control...................................3-16
Headlamp Exit Delay.....................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Delayed Lighting...........................................3-18
Exit Lighting.................................................3-18
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-19
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-19
Rear Reading Lamps....................................3-19
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-19Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-20
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-21
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-24
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-26
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-27
Climate Controls............................................3-28
Climate Control System.................................3-28
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-30
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-33
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-36
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-37
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-38
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-39
Trip Odometer..............................................3-39
Tachometer.................................................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-41
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-41
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-42
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-44
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-45
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-46
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-46
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-49
Fuel Gage...................................................3-50
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Message Center.............................................3-51
Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message...........3-51
Service Traction System Warning Message......3-51
Traction Active Message................................3-52
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message..................................................3-52
Charging System Indicator Message................3-53
Reduced Engine Power Message....................3-53
Low Oil Pressure Message............................3-54
Low Engine Oil Level Message.......................3-55
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-55
Low Tire Message........................................3-56
Door Ajar Warning Message...........................3-56
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message..................3-56
Check Gas Cap Message..............................3-57
PASS-Key
®III Security Message....................3-57
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message.......3-57
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message...............3-58
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-58
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message.................3-59
Service Vehicle Soon Message.......................3-59
Program Mode Message................................3-60
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low
Warning Message......................................3-60Parking Lamp Warning Message.....................3-61
Highbeam Out Warning Message....................3-61
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-62
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-64
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-66
Audio System(s).............................................3-75
Setting the Time...........................................3-76
Radio with CD..............................................3-76
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-87
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-100
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-115
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-130
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-130
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-132
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-133
Radio Reception.........................................3-134
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-134
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-135
Care of Your CD and DVD Player.................3-135
Integrated Windshield Antenna......................3-135
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-135
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2