2007 BUICK RAINIER ignition

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 356.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 187.
Along with ABS, your vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP
problem, both the brake and ABS warning lights will
come on accompanied by a 10-second chime. The
lights and chime will come on each time the ignition
is turned on until the problem is repaired. See your
dealer for service.
287

Driving in Water
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding, and ood
waters demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive
through it. If it is deep enough to cover your wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe, do not try it — you
probably will not get through. Also, water that deep
can damage the axle and other vehicle parts.
If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it.
At faster speeds, water splashes on your
vehicle’s ignition system and your vehicle can
stall. Stalling can also occur if you get the tailpipe
under water. And, as long as the tailpipe is
under water, you will never be able to start the
engine. When you go through water, remember
that when the brakes get wet, it may take you
longer to stop.{CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you and your
passengers could drown. If it is only
shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you
could lose traction and roll the vehicle
over. Do not drive through rushing water.
SeeDriving in Rain and on Wet Roads on page 316
for more information on driving through water.
313

{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Always have your
engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when
you go down a steep or long hill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift
down to a lower gear. The lower gears help
cool your engine and transmission, and you can
climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide
or cut across the center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There
could be something in your lane, like a stalled
car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that
warn of special problems. Examples are long
grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling
rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these
and take appropriate action.
324

The ignition has to be on for the system to inate,
in order to raise the vehicle to the standard ride
height after loading. The system can lower
the vehicle to the standard ride height after
unloading with the ignition on and also for up to
30 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
You may hear the compressor operating when you
load your vehicle, and periodically as the system
adjusts the vehicle to the standard ride height.
Load leveling will not function normally with the
inator hose attached to the inator outlet.
Remove the inator hose from the outlet during
loading and unloading.
If the vehicle is parked for an extended period of
time, some bleed down of the suspension is
normal. Upon starting the vehicle, proper height
will be achieved.
Overload Protection
The air suspension system is equipped with
overload protection. Overload protection is
designed to protect the air suspension system,
and it is an indicator to the driver that the vehicle
is overloaded. When the overload protectionmode is on, it will not allow damage to the air
compressor. However, do not overload the vehicle.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 330.
If the suspension remains at a low height, the rear
axle load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating). When the overload protection mode is
activated, the compressor operates for about
30 seconds to one minute without raising the
vehicle depending on the amount of overload.
This will continue each time the ignition is turned on
until the rear axle load is reduced below GAWR.
Indicator Light
The indicator light on the inator switch in the rear
passenger compartment also serves as an
indicator for internal system error. If the indicator
light is ashing without the load leveling function
or the inator being active, turn off the ignition.
The next day turn on the ignition and check
the indicator light. The vehicle can be driven with
the light ashing, but if it is you should have
the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
338

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System, do the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the
engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
slowly three times within ve seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the message comes back on when you start the
vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 198
to reset the system.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
373

Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Always turn off your radio and other
accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette lighter or the accessory power
outlets, if equipped. Turn off the radio and all
lamps that are not needed. This will avoid
sparks and help to save both batteries. And it
could save the radio!
4. Open both hoods and locate the batteries.
Find the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminals on each battery. Your vehicle has a
remote negative (−) jump starting terminal.
You should always use this remote terminal
instead of the terminal on the battery.
The remote negative (−) terminal is located on
the front engine lift bracket on vehicles with
the 4.2L L6 engine or the engine accessory
drive bracket for vehicles with the 5.3L V8
engine, and is marked GND (Ground).
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 366for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need
more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
battery installed in your new vehicle. But
if a battery has ller caps, be sure the
right amount of uid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that rst. If you
do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
398

How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly inated even when
they’re underinated. Check the tire’s ination
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
ination pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the tire and loading information label,
no further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. TPMS sensors are mounted on each tire
and wheel assembly, except the spare tire.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in
your vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver if a low
tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle
has the Driver Information Center (DIC) steering
wheel control buttons, tire pressure levels
may also be checked through the DIC. See “Tire
Pressures” underDIC Operation and Displays
on page 199.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the
TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure warning
symbol located on the instrument panel cluster, and
at the same time a message will also appear on the
DIC display. The low tire pressure warning symbol
on the instrument panel cluster and the CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning message on the DIC
will appear at each ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination pressure.
420

The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each
tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing
the tire’s air pressure. When increasing the tire’s
pressure, do not exceed the maximum ination
pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match the rst
tire/wheel position, and ve minutes overall to
match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer
than two minutes, to match the rst tire and
wheel, or more than ve minutes to match all four
tire and wheel positions the matching process
stops and you will need to start over.
The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined
below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to RUN with the
engine off.
3. Turn the headlamp control from off to parking
lamps four times within three seconds. A
double horn chirp will sound and the TPMS
low tire warning light will begin to ash.The double horn chirp and ashing TPMS
warning light indicate that the TPMS matching
process has started. The TPMS warning
light should continue ashing throughout the
matching procedure.
4. Start with the driver’s side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap
stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by
increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure
for 10 seconds, then stop and listen for a
single horn chirp. The single horn chirp should
sound within 15 seconds, conrming that
the sensor identication code has been
matched to this tire and wheel position. If you
do not hear the conrming single horn
chirp, you will need to start over with step
number one. To let air-pressure out of a tire
you can use the pointed end of the valve cap,
a pencil-style air pressure gage, or a key.
6. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
423