2007 BUICK RANDEZVOUS instrument panel

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.
United StatesCanada
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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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Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing your signal
when they are not. It is important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
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Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 404
Tires............................................................ 406
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 407
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 410
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 413
Check Tire Pressure System..................... 414
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 416
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 418
Buying New Tires...................................... 418
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 420
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 420
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 422
Wheel Replacement.................................. 422
Tire Chains............................................... 424
Accessory Inator...................................... 425
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 427
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 428
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 429
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 436
Secondary Latch System........................... 441
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools.......... 444
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 450Appearance Care........................................ 451
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 451
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 453
Leather...................................................... 454
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces........................... 454
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 455
Weatherstrips............................................ 455
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 455
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 456
Finish Care............................................... 456
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 457
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 457
Tires......................................................... 458
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 458
Finish Damage.......................................... 459
Underbody Maintenance............................ 459
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 459
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 460
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
352

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release
handle with this
symbol on it. It is
located under the
instrument panel on
the driver’s side of
the vehicle.2. At the front of the vehicle, pull up on the
center of the hood, and push the secondary
hood release to the right.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, gas
struts will automatically take over to lift and
hold the hood in the fully open position.
Before closing the hood, be sure all ller caps are
on properly. Then, pull the hood down to close.
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Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the cap line up with the overow tube on the
radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 364
for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature warning and a
coolant temperature gage on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message on page 227andEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 221.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Turn it
off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles
engine is overheated, the liquids in it can
catch re. You or others could be badly
burned. Stop your engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 380for
information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
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Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap
solution can be used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to dry. Never use steam
to clean leather. Never use spot lifters or spot
removers on leather. Many commercial leather
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may permanently change the
appearance and feel of your leather and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based
products, or those containing organic solvents to
clean your vehicle’s interior because they can
alter the appearance by increasing the gloss in a
non-uniform manner. Never use shoe polish on
your leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a clean soft cloth dampened with a mild
soap solution can be used to gently remove dust
and dirt. Never use spot lifters or removers on
plastic surfaces. Many commercial cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve and protect soft
plastic surfaces may permanently change the
appearance and feel of your interior and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based
products, or those containing organic solvents to
clean your vehicle’s interior because they can alter
the appearance by increasing the gloss in a
non-uniform manner.
Some commercial products may increase gloss
on your instrument panel. The increase in
gloss may cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see
through the windshield under certain conditions.
454

Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It
appears on a plate in the front corner of the
instrument panel, on the driver’s side. You can
see it if you look through the windshield from
outside your vehicle. The VIN also appears on the
Certication/Tire and Service Parts labels and the
certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine
code. This code will help you identify your vehicle’s
engine, specications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
You will nd this label on the inside of the access
panel located on the driver’s side of the rear of
the vehicle. It is very helpful if you ever need
to order parts. On this label, you will nd
the following:
VIN
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
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