2007 BUICK RANDEZVOUS coolant temperature

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You will get
easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your
vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of
the coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle
may also have an internal thermostat in the
plug end of the cord. This will prevent operation of
the engine coolant heater when the temperature
is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The electrical cord is located on the
driver’s side of the engine compartment.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some
other things. Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact your dealer in the area
where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
131

Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
Light...................................................... 220
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 221
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 222
Fuel Gage................................................. 225
Message Center.......................................... 225
Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message..... 226
Service Traction System Warning
Message................................................ 226
Traction Active Message........................... 227
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message................................................ 227
Charging System Indicator Message.......... 228
Reduced Engine Power Message.............. 228
Low Oil Pressure Message........................ 229
Change Engine Oil Message..................... 230
Door Ajar Warning Message...................... 230
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message............ 230
Check Gas Cap Message......................... 231
PASS-Key
®III Security Message............... 231
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message......... 231
Low Fuel Warning Message...................... 232
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message........... 232
Service Vehicle Soon Message................. 233Program Mode Message........................... 233
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning Message........................... 234
Parking Lamp Warning Message............... 234
Highbeam Out Warning Message.............. 235
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 235
DIC Controls and Displays........................ 236
DIC Compass............................................ 238
DIC Vehicle Personalization....................... 240
Audio System(s)......................................... 250
Setting the Time........................................ 252
Radio with CD........................................... 252
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................. 262
XM Radio Messages................................. 276
Navigation/Radio System........................... 277
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 277
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)............................. 293
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 296
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 296
Radio Reception........................................ 297
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 298
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 298
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 299
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 299
Section 3 Instrument Panel
172

The Head-Up Display also displays a CHECK
GAGES message. The following messages could
appear on the instrument panel cluster when
CHECK GAGES appears:
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 227.
Low Oil Pressure. SeeLow Oil Pressure
Message on page 229.
Charging System Indicator. SeeCharging
System Indicator Message on page 228.
Low Brake Fluid Warning. SeeLow Brake
Fluid Warning Message on page 232.
Under warning conditions, the CHECK GAGES
message will illuminate in the HUD. Look at
the instrument panel cluster for more information.Notice:If you try to use the HUD image as a
parking aid, you may misjudge the distance
and damage your vehicle. Do not use the HUD
image as a parking aid.
The HUD controls are
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will
always be displayed. The current audio system
information will only be displayed for three seconds
after the radio, tape or CD track status changes.
This will happen whenever one of the radio controls
is pressed, either on the radio or on the audio
steering wheel controls, if equipped.
194

Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System
(TCS) warning light. The TCS warning light
may come on for the following reasons:
If you turn the TCS off by pressing the TRAC
OFF button located in the instrument panel
switchbank the TCS warning light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on,
press the button again. The TCS warning light
should go off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 310for more information.
If there is an engine-related and brake system
problem that is specically related to traction
control, the TCS will turn off and the TCS
warning light will come on.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on
for an extended period of time when the system is
turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves near the “H”, your
engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 378.
United StatesCanada
221

Traction Active Message
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS), the TRACTION ACTIVE message will
appear when the TCS is limiting wheel spin. You
may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly.
This message will stay on for a few seconds after
the TCS stops limiting wheel spin.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message
This message will come on when your engine gets
too hot.
If this message comes on, it means that your
engine coolant has overheated. If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as
possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 378.
United StatesCanada
United StatesCanada
227

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 378.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F
(−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning messages and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
375

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.
378

If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If vehicle still
has the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets your vehicle
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, there is a signicant loss in power
and engine performance. The temperature gage
indicates an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 365.
380