2007 BUICK RANDEZVOUS warning

Check Gas Cap Message
If your vehicle has this
message, it will come
on when the ignition
is turned to ON or
START and the gas cap
is open.
PASS-Key®III Security Message
If you are ever driving and this message comes
on and stays on, you will be able to restart
your engine if you turn it off.Your PASS-Key
®III system, however, is not
working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
®III system at this time. See
PASS-Key®III on page 124for more information.
Low Washer Fluid Warning
Message
Your vehicle may have a low washer uid warning
message. If your washer uid is low, this warning
message will come on and stay on until you
add washer uid. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 388for adding washer uid instructions.
If the warning message is still on after adding uid,
you need to reset the warning message. To
reset the warning message, turn the ignition off
and then back on. If the message stays on,
see your dealer.
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Low Fuel Warning Message
If your fuel is low, the warning message will come
on and stay on until you add fuel.
If the warning message is still on after adding fuel,
you need to reset the warning message. To
reset the warning message, turn the ignition off
and then back on. If the message stays on,
see your dealer.
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message
If your brake uid is low, the warning message will
come on and stay on until you add brake uid.
The brake system warning light will also be
illuminated.
If this message appears, the brakes need
attention. You should have your vehicle serviced
immediately. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 219andBrakes on page 389.
If the warning message is still on after adding
uid, you may need to reset the warning message.
To reset the warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on. If the message stays on, see
your dealer right away.
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Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter
Battery Low Warning Message
If you receive this message, the battery in the
remote keyless entry needs to be replaced. See
“Battery Replacement” underRemote Keyless
Entry System Operation on page 111for
instructions.
Parking Lamp Warning Message
If this message appears, one or both of the
vehicle’s parking lamp bulbs needs replacement.
SeeBulb Replacement on page 399for bulb
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Highbeam Out Warning Message
If this message appears, one or both of the
vehicle’s high-beam headlamp bulbs needs
replacement. SeeBulb Replacement on page 399
for more information.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center
(DIC), the display is located on the instrument
panel cluster in the tachometer gage. The DIC will
show information about the vehicle and the
surroundings.The DIC is capable of displaying English or
French. To change the language, press and hold
the MODE button until the language you want
is displayed. The MODE button is located on the
instrument panel, to the left of the steering
column. Release the button to set your choice.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 236
to change the display from English to metric.
The DIC contains a compass display to show you
which direction the vehicle is driving. SeeDIC
Compass on page 238for more information.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle
go where you want it to go. They are the brakes,
the steering, and the accelerator. All three
systems have to do their work at the places where
the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 310.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 354.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 219.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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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 354.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS, this warning light on the
instrument panel will come on briey when you start
your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, ABS system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a
little. This is normal.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only
if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front brakes and
reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will come on
when the traction control system is limiting
wheel spin. SeeTraction Active Message on
page 227. You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may reengage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 181.If this message comes on and stays on or comes
on while you are driving, there’s a problem
with your traction control system.
SeeService Traction System Warning Message
on page 226. When this warning message is
on, the TRAC OFF light will come on to remind
you that the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system on. But you can
turn the traction control system off if you ever need
to. You should turn the system off if your vehicle
ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 331.
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To turn the system off, press the TRAC OFF
button located on the instrument panel switchbank.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button, the message will go off, but the
system will not turn off until there is no longer
a current need to limit wheel spin. The TRAC
OFF light will come on to remind you the system
is off. You can turn the system back on at any
time by pressing the button again. The traction
control system warning message should go off.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 354for more information.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and
your speed. While you are in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
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