2006 BUICK RAINIER ignition

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your gear
shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-25. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-52.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, press
the button on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Move the shift lever into the gear you
wish. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-26.
2-22

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 the brakes off and on.
You can also use SECOND (2) for starting the vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
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
gear shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission will not shift into
rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you
are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on
a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your foot and pull up on the parking brake lever
located between the seats. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-33.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press in the button at the end of the lever. Hold the button
in as you move the parking brake lever all the way down.
2-24

Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-52.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-52.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your foot and set
the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2-25

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pressing the
button on the console shift lever. If you can, it means that
the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-22.
2-26

Mirror Operation
While sitting in a comfortable position, adjust the
rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip it in the center and move it up or down
and side to side. The day/night control, located at
the bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce
headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark
conditions. Turn the control clockwise for night
use; return it to the center for daytime use.
Temperature and Compass Display
O
(On/Off):Press this button to turn the compass and
temperature display on or off. The compass display,
can show a maximum of two characters. For example,
NE is displayed for north-east.
When the ignition and the compass/temperature
feature are on, character boxes will appear for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the direction the vehicle is facing and the outside
temperature.
To set the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, do
the following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button until either a
ashing F or C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to
the desired unit of measurement. After about
four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked
in and the compass/temperature display will return.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass direction, N for North, for
example, there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item. If the
letter C should ever appear in the compass window,
the compass may need calibration.
Press and hold the on/off button for nine seconds to
activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will
be displayed in the compass window on the mirror.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display shows
a direction.
Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is
set to zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be
necessary to adjust the compass to compensate for
compass variance if you live outside zone eight. Under
certain conditions, such as during a long-distance,
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. If not adjusted to account for compass
variance, the compass could give false readings.
2-30

Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned
on automatically each time the ignition is started. To
operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the left
of the on/off button, is lit. If it’s not, press and hold the
on/off button for approximately six seconds until the
green light comes on, indicating that the mirror is in
automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button for
approximately six seconds, until the green
indicator light turns off.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory. It
will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside of zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. Compass variance is the difference
between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic
north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance,
your compass could give false readings.
To adjust for compass variance do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.2. Press and hold the on/off button until a Z and a
zone number appear in the display. The compass
is now in zone mode.
3. Keep pressing the on/off button until the desired
zone number appears in the display. Release the
button. After approximately four seconds of
inactivity, the new zone number will be locked in
and the compass/temperature display will return.
4. Calibrate the compass as described below.
2-34

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass and Temperature
Display
If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic mirror, it
will, when on, automatically dim to the proper level
to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading
and the outside temperature will both appear in
the display at the same time. The dual display can be
turned on or off by briey pressing either the TEMP
or the COMP button.
Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing the TEMP
button. Pressing the TEMP button once briey, will toggle
the temperature reading on and off. To alternate the
temperature reading between Fahrenheit and Celsius,
press and hold the TEMP button for approximately
four seconds until the display blinks F and C. Press
and release the TEMP button to toggle between the
Fahrenheit and Celsius readings. After approximately
four seconds of inactivity, the display will stop blinking
and display the last selection made.
If an abnormal reading is displayed, for an extended
period of time, please consult your dealer. Under certain
circumstances, a delay in updating the temperature
is normal.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The time period you need to press and hold the TEMP
button to turn the automatic dimming feature on or off is
approximately eight seconds. The indicator light to the left
of the TEMP button will still turn on or off to show you
when the automatic dimming feature is activated. Once
the mirror is turned off, it will remain off until it is turned
back on, or until the vehicle is restarted.
Compass Operation
Press the COMP button once briey to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on,
the compass will show two character boxes for
approximately two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
2-37

Cargo Tie Downs
There may be cargo tie
downs in the rear of your
vehicle that allow you
to strap cargo in and
keep it from moving.
Sunroof
The vehicle may be equipped with a power sliding
sunroof. To open or close the sunroof, the ignition must
be on or accessory, or Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
must be active. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 2-18.
Press and release the
back of the control in the
overhead console to
open the sunroof. Press
the front of the control
to close the sunroof.
Once the sunroof is closed, press the forward side of
the control to open the sunroof to the vent position.
The sunroof has a sunshade which can be pulled
forward to block sun rays. If it is in the closed position,
it will open when the sunroof is opened.
2-50