2007 BUICK RANDEZVOUS engine overheat

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.
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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).
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and the parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you move the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward you.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your vehicle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transaxle. You may nd it
difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This
is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To
nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 136.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P) before you release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P).
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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.
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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.
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227

Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will
come on in the message
center when you turn
on the ignition as
a check to show you it
is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not
running. It should go out once the engine
is running. If it stays on, or comes on while you
are driving, you may have a problem with the
charging system. It could indicate that you have
problems with a generator drive belt, or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this indicator appears in the message
center could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the
message on, be certain to turn off all your
accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.
Reduced Engine Power Message
If your vehicle has this feature, this message will
appear in the message center when a noticeable
reduction in the vehicle’s engine performance
is detected. This message will also appear when
your vehicle is in overheated engine protection
operating mode. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 378for more information.
If this message comes on and stays on, see your
dealer.
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228

You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When
you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 332.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 424.
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Service........................................................ 354
Accessories and Modications................... 354
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 355
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 355
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 356
Fuel............................................................. 356
Gasoline Octane........................................ 356
Gasoline Specications.............................. 356
California Fuel........................................... 357
Additives................................................... 357
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 358
Filling the Tank......................................... 359
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 361
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 362
Hood Release........................................... 363
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 364
Engine Oil................................................. 365
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 368
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 370Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 372
Engine Coolant.......................................... 375
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 378
Engine Overheating................................... 378
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 380
Cooling System......................................... 381
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 387
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 388
Brakes...................................................... 389
Battery...................................................... 393
Jump Starting............................................ 394
Bulb Replacement....................................... 399
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 399
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps............. 399
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps...... 401
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.................. 402
Replacement Bulbs................................... 404
Windshield Replacement............................ 404
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
351