2006 BUICK RAINIER automatic transmission

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 2-24.
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 vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts 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 2-24.
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, see
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-24.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
or equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
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
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
6-12

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco®Part Number
Automatic Transmission Filter Kit 24208576 TF337
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 15036141 A2014C
Engine Oil Filter
4.2L L6 Engine 89017342 PF61
5.3L V8 Engine 88984215 PF46
Spark Plugs
4.2L L6 Engine 12599232 41-981
5.3L V8 Engine 12571164 41-985
Wiper Blades
Front – 22 inches (56 cm) 15214346 —
Rear – 16 inches (41 cm) 15160740 —
6-14

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-130
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-113
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-85
Radio with CD....................................3-60, 3-70
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-99
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-124
Setting the Time..........................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-126
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-127
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-130
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-39
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-36
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-24
System Warning Light..................................3-33
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-20Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-105
Carbon Monoxide...................2-12, 2-27, 4-40, 4-52
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-88
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-128
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-129
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-129
Cargo Cover..................................................2-49
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-50
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-47
Chains, Tire...................................................5-67
2

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-39
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-27
Fan Noise..................................................5-34
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-26
Reduced Power Light...................................3-40
Starting......................................................2-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-25
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-92
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-130Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-42
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-102
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-95
5

Tires (cont.)
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-58
Inator, Accessory.......................................5-68
Inspection and Rotation................................5-60
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-74
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-74
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-72
Secondary Latch System..............................5-80
Spare Tire..................................................5-85
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-82
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-56
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-64
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-65
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-66
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-61
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-50
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-52
Your Vehicle...............................................4-50
Traction
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-9
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-22
Trip Odometer................................................3-27
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-127
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-64
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-43
Operation...................................................2-43
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-45
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-52
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-94
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-94
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-51
Memory Seat..............................................2-51
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-23
Visors...........................................................2-15
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-32
13