2007 BUICK RANDEZVOUS ignition

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when you are in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift
lever.
PARK (P):This gear position locks your front
wheels. It is the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
must fully apply your regular brakes rst before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key
is in ON. As you step on the brake pedal, while
in PARK (P), you may hear a click from the
solenoid of the system. This ensures that the
system is operating properly. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
as you maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out
of Park (P) on page 138for more information.
{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)
132

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 DRIVE (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 reduces vehicle speed
more than SECOND (2) without using your brakes.
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 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 transaxle. If
you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located under the
instrument panel on the
driver’s side of the
vehicle.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 219.
135

To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot while
you push down on the parking brake pedal with
your left foot. When you lift your left foot from the
parking brake pedal, it will pop up to the
released position.
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 are parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 340.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 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 340.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
136

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in
PARK (P) when the ignition is in the OFF position.
In addition, you must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P), when
the ignition is in the ON position. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 132.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear
you want.If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of
Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
138

Sunroof
If the vehicle has a
sunroof, the switch to
operate it is located
on the headliner,
between the sun visors.
The sunroof switch will only work when the ignition
is ON or when the ignition is OFF and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 129.Notice:Opening the sunroof when the
luggage rack crossrails are not in the full-rear
position could cause damage to the sunroof
or luggage rack. Verify the luggage rack
crossrails are in the full-rear position before
opening the sunroof.
Press the rear of the switch to open the sunroof to
the vent position. The sunshade must be opened
by hand.
Press and release the rear of the switch a second
time to express-open the sunroof. The sunshade
will open with the sunroof. Press the switch in
either direction to stop it from moving. If the rear
of the switch is pressed and held, the
express-open operation will be overridden.
To close the sunroof, press and hold the front of
the switch.
169

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior/Interior Lamps Control. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 185andInterior Lamps
on page 188.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 177.
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 176.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 212.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 132.
F. Instrument Panel Outlets. SeeOutlet
Adjustment on page 210.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 250.
H. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 296.
I. Head-Up Display Switch and Driver Information
Center (DIC) Controls (If Equipped). See
Head-Up Display (HUD) on page 193andDIC
Controls and Displays on page 236.J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on
page 363.
K. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 128.
L. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 200,Dual Climate Control System
on page 203orDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 206.
M. Instrument Panel Switchbank. SeeInstrument
Panel Switchbank on page 192.
N. Front Armrest Storage. SeeFront Armrest
Storage Area on page 160.
O. Ashtray/Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power
Outlet/Cell Phone Storage/Cupholders.
SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 200,Accessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 199,Cell Phone Storage Area on
page 159,Floor Console Storage Area on
page 160andCupholder(s) on page 158.
P. Floor Console Fuse Block. SeeFloor Console
Fuse Block on page 463.
Q. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 158.
175

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem.
Your front and rear turn signal lamps will ash on
and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
ignition position the key is in, and even if the
key is not in the ignition.Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps ash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your
turn signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m)
behind your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your
steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
176

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills
depends upon your speed, load and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may
have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain
your speed. When going downhill, you may
have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers nd
this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise control switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the
ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is
erased.
Exterior Lamps
The control on the left
side of the steering
column operates
the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp Control/Off):
Turning the control to this position will activate the
automatic headlamps when it is dark enough
outside and turn off all lamps and lights during the
day except for the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
185