2006 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual

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please specify year and model name of the vehicle. ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123 Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com Or you can write to: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery. Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make checks payable in U.S. funds. 7-15 ✍ NOTES 7-16 A About Driving Your Vehicle .................................... ii Accessories and Modiﬁcations ............................ 5-3 Accessory Inﬂator ........................................... 5-68 Accessory Power Outlet(s) ............................... 3-26 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................... 1-86 Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6 Add-On Electrical Equipment ........................... 5-100 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-18 Air Conditioning .............................. 3-28, 3-30, 3-33 Airbag Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-42 Readiness Light .......................................... 3-41 Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) ...... 7-9 Airbag System ................................................ 1-72 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ................................................... 1-86 How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-79 Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-81 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-85 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? ...................... 1-79 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .... 1-80 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .................... 1-77 Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-75 All-Wheel Drive ............................................... 5-43 All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message .......... 3-56 All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System ......................... 4-12 Antenna, Fixed Mast ...................................... 3-135 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ..................................................... 3-135 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........................... 4-8 Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light .............. 3-45 Appearance Care Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels .............. 5-96 Care of Safety Belts .................................... 5-94 Chemical Paint Spotting ............................... 5-97 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .................... 5-94 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle ................ 5-91 Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 5-92 Finish Care ................................................. 5-95 Finish Damage ............................................ 5-97 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ....................................... 5-93 Leather ...................................................... 5-93 Sheet Metal Damage ................................... 5-97 Tires .......................................................... 5-96 Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-97 Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ................ 5-98 Washing Your Vehicle ................................... 5-94 Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-94 Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades ....... 5-95 Ashtray(s) ...................................................... 3-27 Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-74 Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-132 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player ............... 3-134 Care of Your CD and DVD Player ................ 3-135 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ....................... 3-135 Fixed Mast Antenna ................................... 3-135 Audio System(s) (cont.) Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ................................................. 3-114 Radio with Cassette and CD ......................... 3-87 Radio with CD ............................................ 3-76 Radio with Six-Disc CD .............................. 3-100 Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... 3-129 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-75 Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-132 Understanding Radio Reception ................... 3-133 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-135 Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-15 Automatic Transaxle Fluid .......................................................... 5-19 Operation ................................................... 2-23 Battery .......................................................... 5-37 Run-Down Protection ................................... 3-20 Before Leaving on a Long Trip ......................... 4-23 Bench Seat, Split ............................................. 1-8 Brake Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........................ 4-8 Emergencies ............................................... 4-10 Low Fluid Warning Message ......................... 3-58 Parking ...................................................... 2-26 System Warning Light .................................. 3-44 Brakes .......................................................... 5-34 Braking ........................................................... 4-7 Braking in Emergencies ................................... 4-10 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-19 Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-44 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-44 Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps .................................. 5-45 Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-49 Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps ....................... 5-48 Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps ............ 5-47 Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-62 California Fuel .................................................. 5-5 California Proposition 65 Warning ....................... 5-3 Canadian Owners ................................................ ii Capacities and Speciﬁcations .......................... 5-106 Captain Chairs, Rear ....................................... 1-14 Carbon Monoxide ................... 2-11, 2-29, 4-26, 4-38 Care of Safety Belts ................................................ 5-94 Your Cassette Tape Player .......................... 3-134 Your CD and DVD Player ........................... 3-135 Your CDs and DVDs .................................. 3-135 Cargo Cover .................................................. 2-43 Cargo Lamp ................................................... 3-19 Cell Phone Storage Area ................................. 2-39 Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts ..... 1-40 Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-67 Change Engine Oil Message ............................ 3-55 Charging System Indicator Message .................. 3-53 Check Engine Light ............................................... 3-46 Tire Pressure System ................................... 5-59 Check Gas Cap Message ................................ 3-56 Checking Things Under the Hood ....................... 5-9 Chemical Paint Spotting ................................... 5-97 Child Restraints Child Restraint Systems ............................... 1-51 Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-48 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children .......... 1-55 Older Children ............................................. 1-45 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........................ 1-65 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position ......................... 1-67 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position .......................... 1-69 Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-54 Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-27 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels .............. 5-96 Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................................. 5-94 Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 5-92 Finish Care ................................................. 5-95 Inside of Your Vehicle .................................. 5-91 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ....................................... 5-93 Cleaning (cont.) Leather ...................................................... 5-93 Tires .......................................................... 5-96 Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-97 Washing Your Vehicle ................................... 5-94 Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-94 Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades ....... 5-95 Climate Control System ................................... 3-28 Dual .......................................................... 3-30 Dual Automatic ............................................ 3-33 Outlet Adjustment ........................................ 3-36 Collision Damage Repair .................................. 7-10 Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt ..................... 1-42 Compact Spare Tire ........................................ 5-90 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................... 2-15 Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-7 Convenience Center, Rear ............................... 2-43 Convenience Net ............................................ 2-43 Coolant Engine Temperature Gage ............................ 3-46 Engine Temperature Warning Message ........... 3-52 Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-22 SGCM, Surge Tank Pressure Cap .................. 3-51 Cooling System .............................................. 5-26 Cruise Control ................................................ 3-10 Cupholder(s) .................................................. 2-38 Customer Assistance Information Courtesy Transportation .................................. 7-7 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users ............................... 7-4 Customer Assistance Information (cont.) Customer Assistance Offices ........................... 7-4 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program ............... 7-5 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors .... 7-14 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government .............................. 7-14 Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government ......................... 7-13 Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-6 Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-14 Daytime Running Lamps .................................. 3-14 Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-3 Delayed Lighting ............................................. 3-18 Delayed Locking ............................................... 2-9 Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-4 Door Ajar Warning Message ................................. 3-55 Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-9 Locks .......................................................... 2-8 Power Door Locks ......................................... 2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-10 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-10 Position, Safety Belt ..................................... 1-27 Driver Driver Behavior ................................................ 4-2 Driver Information Center (DIC) ......................... 3-60 DIC Controls and Displays ............................ 3-62 DIC Vehicle Personalization .......................... 3-64 Driving At Night ..................................................... 4-18 City ........................................................... 4-21 Defensive ..................................................... 4-3 Drunken ....................................................... 4-4 Environment ................................................. 4-2 Freeway ..................................................... 4-22 Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-24 In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-19 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out ................. 4-30 Winter ........................................................ 4-26 Dual Automatic Climate Control System ............. 3-33 Dual Climate Control System ............................ 3-30 DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System .................. 3-115 Electrical System Add-On Equipment ..................................... 5-100 Floor Console Fuse Block ........................... 5-101 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-101 Headlamp Wiring ....................................... 5-100 Power Windows and Other Power Options .... 5-100 Electrical System (cont.) Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-103 Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................. 5-100 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-18 Battery ....................................................... 5-37 Change Oil Message ................................... 3-55 Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-46 Coolant ...................................................... 5-21 Coolant Heater ............................................ 2-22 Coolant Temperature Gage ........................... 3-46 Coolant Temperature Warning Message .......... 3-52 Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-10 Exhaust ..................................................... 2-29 Oil ............................................................. 5-13 Oil Life System ........................................... 5-16 Overheated Protection Operating Mode ........... 5-25 Overheating ................................................ 5-23 Reduced Power Message ............................. 3-53 Starting ...................................................... 2-21 Entry Lighting ................................................. 3-17 Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................. 7-9 Exit Delay, Headlamp ...................................... 3-17 Exit Lighting ................................................... 3-18 Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-45 Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-14 Filter Engine Air Cleaner ...................................... 5-18 Finish Damage ............................................... 5-97 Fixed Mast Antenna ....................................... 3-135 Flash-to-Pass ................................................... 3-8 Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-69 Flat Tire, Changing ......................................... 5-70 Flat Tire, Storing ............................................. 5-84 Fluid Automatic Transaxle ..................................... 5-19 Power Steering ........................................... 5-32 Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-33 Fog Lamps .................................................... 3-15 Front Armrest Storage Area .............................. 2-39 Front Console Storage Area ............................. 2-39 Front Reading Lamps ...................................... 3-19 ............................................................... 5-4 Fuel Additives ...................................................... 5-6 California Fuel .............................................. 5-5 Filling a Portable Fuel Container ..................... 5-8 Filling Your Tank ........................................... 5-7 Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-6 Gage ......................................................... 3-50 Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-5 Gasoline Speciﬁcations .................................. 5-5 Low Warning Message ................................. 3-57 Headlamps Automatic Headlamp System ......................... 3-15 Bulb Replacement ....................................... 5-44 Daytime Running Lamps ............................... 3-14 Exit Delay .................................................. 3-17 Flash-to-Pass ............................................... 3-8 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-44 Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps .................................. 5-45 High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-8 Head-Up Display (HUD) ................................... 3-21 Heated Seats ................................................... 1-5 Heater ................................................... 3-28, 3-30 Heater ........................................................... 3-33 Highbeam Out Warning Message ...................... 3-60 Highway Hypnosis ........................................... 4-24 Hill and Mountain Roads .................................. 4-24 Hood Checking Things Under .................................. 5-9 Release ....................................................... 5-9 Horn ............................................................... 3-6 How to Use This Manual ...................................... ii How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-27 Fuses Floor Console Fuse Block ........................... 5-101 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-101 Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-103 Windshield Wiper ....................................... 5-100 Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ......................... 3-46 Fuel .......................................................... 3-50 Speedometer .............................................. 3-39 Tachometer ................................................. 3-40 Garage Door Opener ....................................... 2-34 Gas, Check Cap Message ............................... 3-56 Gasoline Octane ........................................................ 5-5 Speciﬁcations ............................................... 5-5 Glove Box ..................................................... 2-38 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program .................. 7-5 Hatch Ajar Warning Message ............................ 3-55 Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-6 Head Restraints ............................................... 1-8 Headlamp Wiring ........................................... 5-100 I Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-20 Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-48 Inﬂation -- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-57 Instrument Panel Overview ..................................................... 3-4 Switchbank ................................................. 3-20 Instrument Panel (I/P) Brightness .................................................. 3-16 Cluster ....................................................... 3-38 Interior Lamps ................................................ 3-16 Interior Lamps Control ..................................... 3-16 Jump Starting ................................................. 5-38 Keyless Entry System ....................................... 2-4 Keys ............................................................... 2-3 Labeling, Tire Sidewall ..................................... 5-52 Lamps Battery Run-Down Protection ......................... 3-20 Cargo ........................................................ 3-19 Exterior ...................................................... 3-14 Lamps (cont.) Fog ........................................................... 3-15 Front Reading ............................................. 3-19 Interior ....................................................... 3-16 Interior Control ............................................ 3-16 Rear Reading ............................................. 3-19 LATCH System Child Restraints ........................................... 1-55 Level Control .................................................. 4-38 Liftgate .......................................................... 2-11 Light Airbag Readiness ........................................ 3-41 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ................... 3-45 Brake System Warning ................................. 3-44 Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-46 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator .................. 3-42 Safety Belt Reminder ................................... 3-40 TCS Warning Light ...................................... 3-45 Traction Control System (TCS) Warning .......... 3-45 Lighting Delayed ..................................................... 3-18 Entry ......................................................... 3-17 Exit ........................................................... 3-18 Perimeter ................................................... 3-19 Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-31 Lockout Protection .......................................... 2-11 Locks Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-9 Door ........................................................... 2-8 Lockout Protection ....................................... 2-11 Locks (cont.) Power Door .................................................. 2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-10 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-10 Loss of Control ............................................... 4-16 Low Brake Fluid Warning Message .................... 3-58 Low Fuel Warning Message ............................. 3-57 Low Oil Pressure Message ............................... 3-54 Low Washer Fluid Warning Message ................. 3-57 Lumbar Manual Controls ............................................ 1-5 Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6 At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-9 At Least Once a Month .................................. 6-9 At Least Once a Year .................................. 6-10 Introduction .................................................. 6-2 Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-7 Maintenance Record .................................... 6-14 Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ......... 6-13 Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-9 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-12 Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4 Maintenance Schedule (cont.) Using .......................................................... 6-3 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2 Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-46 Manual Lumbar Controls .................................... 1-5 Manual Seats ................................................... 1-3 Memory Seat ................................................. 2-47 Message All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning .................... 3-56 Center ....................................................... 3-51 Change Engine Oil ...................................... 3-55 Charging System Indicator ............................ 3-53 Check Gas Cap .......................................... 3-56 Door Ajar Warning ....................................... 3-55 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning ............. 3-52 Highbeam Out Warning ................................ 3-60 Low Brake Fluid Warning .............................. 3-58 Low Fuel Warning ....................................... 3-57 Low Oil Pressure ......................................... 3-54 Low Washer Fluid Warning ........................... 3-57 Park Lamp Warning ..................................... 3-60 PASS-Key® III Security ................................. 3-56 Program Mode ............................................ 3-59 Rear Hatch Ajar Warning .............................. 3-55 Reduced Engine Power ................................ 3-53 Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low Warning ................................ 3-59 Message (cont.) Service Traction System Warning ................... 3-51 Service Vehicle Soon ................................... 3-58 Traction Active ............................................ 3-52 Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror ................................ 2-31 Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-32 Outside Curb View Assist Mirror .................... 2-31 Outside Heated Mirrors ................................ 2-32 Outside Power Mirror ................................... 2-31 MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-3 Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ..................................................... 3-114 New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-19 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ............ 6-13 Odometer ...................................................... 3-39 Odometer, Trip ............................................... 3-39 Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-14 Oil Engine ....................................................... 5-13 Pressure Message ....................................... 3-54 Oil, Engine Oil Life System .............................. 5-16 Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-45 Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-3 OnStar® System, see OnStar® Manual ............... 2-32 Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-6 Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-36 Outside Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-32 Curb View Assist Mirror ................................ 2-31 Heated Mirrors ............................................ 2-32 Power Mirror ............................................... 2-31 Overhead Console .......................................... 2-39 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode ..... 5-25 Owner Checks and Services .............................. 6-9 Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii Park Aid ........................................................ 3-24 Park Lamp Warning Message ........................... 3-60 Park (P) Shifting Into ................................................ 2-27 Shifting Out of ............................................ 2-28 Parking Assist ........................................................ 3-24 Brake ........................................................ 2-26 Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-29 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ..................... 3-42 Passenger Sensing System .............................. 1-81 Passing ......................................................... 4-15 PASS-Key® III ................................................ 2-17 PASS-Key® III Operation .................................. 2-18 PASS-Key® III Security Message ....................... 3-56 Perimeter Lighting ........................................... 3-19 Power Accessory Outlet(s) ...................................... 3-26 Door Locks .................................................. 2-9 Electrical System ....................................... 5-100 Reduced Engine Message ............................ 3-53 Retained Accessory (RAP) ............................ 2-20 Six-Way Seats .............................................. 1-4 Steering Fluid ............................................. 5-32 Windows .................................................... 2-14 Pretensioners, Safety Belt ................................ 1-45 Program Mode Message .................................. 3-59 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................. 2-10 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......... 1-26 Radiator Pressure Cap .................................... 5-23 Radios .......................................................... 3-74 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player ............... 3-134 Care of Your CD and DVD Player ................ 3-135 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ....................... 3-135 Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ................................................. 3-114 10 Radios (cont.) Radio with Cassette and CD ......................... 3-87 Radio with CD ............................................ 3-76 Radio with Six-Disc CD .............................. 3-100 Rear Seat Audio ........................................ 3-129 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-75 Theft-Deterrent .......................................... 3-132 Understanding Reception ............................ 3-133 Rear Door Security Locks ................................ 2-10 Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message .................... 3-55 Rear Outside Passenger Positions, Safety Belts ................................................ 1-36 Rear Reading Lamps ...................................... 3-19 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ...................... 1-42 Rear Seat Audio (RSA) .................................. 3-129 Rear Seat Entertainment System ..................... 3-115 Rear Seat Operation ......................................... 1-8 Rear Storage Area .......................................... 2-40 Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper ......................... 3-10 Rearview Mirrors ............................................. 2-31 Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-6 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................. 6-12 Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-36 Reduced Engine Power Message ...................... 3-53 Remote Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-4 Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation ............ 2-5 Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low Warning Message ...................... 3-59 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire ............................................. 5-77 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-71 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-49 Replacement, Windshield ................................. 5-49 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government .................................. 7-14 General Motors ........................................... 7-14 United States Government ............................ 7-13 Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems .................... 1-87 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash .......................................... 1-88 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................... 2-20 Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts ...... 1-36 Roadside Assistance Program ....................................... 7-6 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out .................... 4-30 Roof Rack System .......................................... 2-40 Running the Engine While Parked ..................... 2-30 Safety Belt Safety Belts Pretensioners .............................................. 1-45 Reminder Light ............................................ 3-40 Care of ...................................................... 5-94 Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-40 Driver Position ............................................ 1-27 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-27 Safety Belts (cont.) Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ..... 1-26 Rear Outside Passenger Positions ................. 1-36 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ................... 1-42 Right Front Passenger Position ...................... 1-36 Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-45 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ................. 1-36 Safety Belts Are for Everyone ....................... 1-22 Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ........................ 1-35 Safety Warnings and Symbols .............................. iii Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... 6-4 Seats Captain Chairs ............................................ 1-14 Head Restraints ............................................ 1-8 Heated Seats ............................................... 1-5 Manual ........................................................ 1-3 Manual Lumbar ............................................. 1-5 Memory ..................................................... 2-47 Rear Seat Operation ...................................... 1-8 Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-6 Six-Way Power Seats .................................... 1-4 Split Bench Seats ......................................... 1-8 Stowable Seat ............................................ 1-18 Secondary Latch System ................................. 5-81 Securing a Child Restraint Center Rear Seat Position ............................ 1-67 Rear Outside Seat Position ........................... 1-65 Right Front Seat Position .............................. 1-69 Security Message, PASS-Key® III ...................... 3-56 11 Service ........................................................... 5-3 Accessories and Modiﬁcations ......................... 5-3 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle .............................................. 5-4 California Proposition 65 Warning .................... 5-3 Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-4 Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-46 Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-14 Traction System Warning Message ................. 3-51 Vehicle Soon Message ................................. 3-58 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .............. 1-85 Setting the Time ............................................. 3-75 Sheet Metal Damage ....................................... 5-97 Shifting Into Park (P) ....................................... 2-27 Shifting Out of Park (P) ................................... 2-28 Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ........................... 1-35 Signals, Turn and Lane-Change .......................... 3-7 Spare Tire Accessory Inﬂator ........................................ 5-68 Compact .................................................... 5-90 Installing .................................................... 5-77 Removing ................................................... 5-71 Storing ....................................................... 5-84 Speciﬁcations, Capacities ............................... 5-106 Speedometer .................................................. 3-39 Split Bench Seats ............................................. 1-8 Starting Your Engine ....................................... 2-21 Steering ........................................................ 4-12 Steering Wheel Controls, Audio ....................... 3-132 12 Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel ................................. 3-6 Storage Areas Cell Phone Storage Area .............................. 2-39 Convenience Net ......................................... 2-43 Cupholder(s) ............................................... 2-38 Floor Console Storage Area .......................... 2-39 Front Armrest Storage Area ........................... 2-39 Glove Box .................................................. 2-38 Overhead Console ....................................... 2-39 Rear Convenience Center ............................. 2-43 Rear Storage Area ....................................... 2-40 Roof Rack System ....................................... 2-40 Stowable Seat ................................................ 1-18 Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ...................... 4-30 Sun Visors ..................................................... 2-15 Sunroof ......................................................... 2-46 Surge Tank Pressure Cap, SGCM Coolant ......... 3-51 Switchbanks, Instrument Panel .......................... 3-20 Tachometer .................................................... 3-40 Taillamps Back-Up Lamps ........................................... 5-48 Turn Signal, and Stoplamps .......................... 5-47 TCS Warning Light .......................................... 3-45 Theft-Deterrent, Radio .................................... 3-132 Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-15 Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ 2-15 PASS-Key® III ............................................. 2-17 PASS-Key® III Operation .............................. 2-18 Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-6 Tires ............................................................. 5-51 Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels, Cleaning ................................................. 5-96 Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-62 Chains ....................................................... 5-67 Changing a Flat Tire .................................... 5-70 Check Tire Pressure System ......................... 5-59 Cleaning .................................................... 5-96 Compact Spare Tire ..................................... 5-90 Different Size .............................................. 5-64 If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-69 Inﬂation -- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-57 Inﬂator, Accessory ....................................... 5-68 Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-60 Installing the Spare Tire ................................ 5-77 Removing the Flat Tire ................................. 5-77 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ............... 5-71 Secondary Latch System .............................. 5-81 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ............ 5-84 Tire Sidewall Labeling .................................. 5-52 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions .................... 5-55 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-64 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-66 Tires (cont.) Towing Traction Wheel Replacement ..................................... 5-66 When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-62 Recreational Vehicle ..................................... 4-36 Towing a Trailer .......................................... 4-38 Your Vehicle ............................................... 4-36 Active Message ........................................... 3-52 Control System (TCS) .................................. 4-10 Control System Warning Light ....................... 3-45 Service Traction System Warning Message ..... 3-51 Transaxle Fluid, Automatic ........................................... 5-19 Transaxle Operation, Automatic ......................... 2-23 Trip Odometer ................................................ 3-39 Turn and Lane-Change Signals .......................... 3-7 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-7 Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) ............... 3-24 Understanding Radio Reception ....................... 3-133 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-64 Universal Home Remote System ....................... 2-34 Operation ................................................... 2-35 13 V Vehicle Control ........................................................ 4-7 Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Design ......................................................... 4-3 Loading ...................................................... 4-31 Service Soon Message ................................. 3-58 Symbols ......................................................... iv Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders ............................................. 7-9 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ............................................. 5-99 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label ................... 5-99 Vehicle Personalization .................................... 2-47 DIC ........................................................... 3-64 Memory Seat .............................................. 2-47 Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-36 Visors ........................................................... 2-15 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-66 Different Size .............................................. 5-64 Replacement ............................................... 5-66 Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-54 Windows ....................................................... 2-13 Power ........................................................ 2-14 Windshield Backglass, and Wiper Blades, Cleaning .......... 5-95 Windshield, Rear Washer/Wiper ........................ 3-10 Windshield Replacement .................................. 5-49 Windshield Washer ........................................... 3-9 Fluid .......................................................... 5-33 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ...................................... 5-49 Fuses ...................................................... 5-100 Windshield Wipers ......................................... 3-9 Winter Driving ................................................ 4-26 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-37 Warnings Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... 3-6 Other Warning Devices .................................. 3-6 Safety and Symbols ......................................... iii Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv Washer Fluid Low Warning Message ................. 3-57 14 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System .............. 3-135 Your Driving, the Road and Your Vehicle .............. 4-2 Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................... 6-2 2006 Buick Rendezvous Owner Manual M Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 Front Seats ............................................... 1-3 Rear Seats ............................................... 1-8 Safety Belts ............................................. 1-22 Child Restraints ....................................... 1-45 Airbag System ......................................... 1-72 Restraint System Check ............................ 1-87 Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1 Keys ........................................................ 2-3 Doors and Locks ....................................... 2-8 Windows ................................................. 2-13 Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-15 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-19 Mirrors .................................................... 2-31 OnStar® System ...................................... 2-32 Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-34 Storage Areas ......................................... 2-38 Sunroof .................................................. 2-46 Vehicle Personalization ............................. 2-47 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1 .......................... 3-4 ...................................... 3-28 ........ 3-37 ....................................... 3-51 Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators Message Center Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing .................. 3-60 ....................................... 3-74 Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ..... 4-2 ................................................... 4-36 Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 Service ..................................................... 5-3 Fuel ......................................................... 5-4 Checking Things Under the Hood ................. 5-9 All-Wheel Drive ........................................ 5-43 Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-44 Windshield Replacement ........................... 5-49 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-49 Tires ...................................................... 5-51 Appearance Care ..................................... 5-91 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ................................. 5-99 Electrical System .................................... 5-100 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................... 5-106 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1 ........... 7-2 ........................... 7-13 Index ................................................................ 1 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects Maintenance Schedule GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem, and the name RENDEZVOUS are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without notice. For vehicles ﬁrst sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if it is needed while you are on the road. If the vehicle is sold, leave this manual in the vehicle. Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 About Driving Your Vehicle As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. See Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle on page 4-2. How to Use This Manual Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they ﬁrst receive their new vehicle. If this is done, it can help you learn about the features and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work together in the owner manual to explain things. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 06RENDEZVOUS A First Printing ©2005 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ii Index A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found. Safety Warnings and Symbols There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning. {CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not, you or others could be hurt. You will also ﬁnd a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety symbol means “Do Not,” “Do Not do this” or “Do Not let this happen.” iii Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this manual you will ﬁnd these notices: Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message, gage, or indicator. If you need help ﬁguring out a speciﬁc name of a component, gage, or indicator, reference the following topics: (cid:127) Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1 Features and Controls in Section 2 Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3 (cid:127) Climate Controls in Section 3 (cid:127) Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3 (cid:127) Audio System(s) in Section 3 (cid:127) Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5 iv (cid:127) (cid:127) These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle: ✍ NOTES vi Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-3 Manual Seats ................................................1-3 Six-Way Power Seats .....................................1-4 Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-5 Heated Seats .................................................1-5 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-6 Head Restraints .............................................1-8 Rear Seats .......................................................1-8 Rear Seat Operation .......................................1-8 Split Bench Seats ...........................................1-8 Captain Chairs .............................................1-14 Stowable Seat ..............................................1-18 Safety Belts ...................................................1-22 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-22 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-26 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-27 Driver Position ..............................................1-27 Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment .....................1-35 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-36 Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-36 Rear Outside Passenger Positions ..................1-36 Center Rear Passenger Position .....................1-40 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ....................1-42 Safety Belt Pretensioners ...............................1-45 Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-45 Child Restraints .............................................1-45 Older Children ..............................................1-45 Infants and Young Children ............................1-48 Child Restraint Systems .................................1-51 Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-54 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) ......................................1-55 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position .........................1-65 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position ..........................1-67 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ............................1-69 1-1 Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-85 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................1-86 Restraint System Check ..................................1-87 Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-87 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ............................................1-88 Airbag System ...............................................1-72 Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-75 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .....................1-77 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? .......................1-79 How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-79 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .........................................1-80 Passenger Sensing System ............................1-81 1-2 Front Seats Manual Seats {CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. Your vehicle may have manual seats. Use the lever located under the front of the seat to adjust the seat forward or rearward. Pull the lever up to unlock the seat. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the lever. To make sure the seat is locked into place, try to move the seat back and forth with your body. 1-3 Six-Way Power Seats If your vehicle has this feature, the power seat control is located on the outboard side of the seat(s). (cid:127) Move the front of the control up or down to adjust the front portion of the seat up or down. (cid:127) Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust the rear portion of the seat up or down. (cid:127) Slide the control forward or rearward to move the seat forward or rearward. 1-4 Manual Lumbar Heated Seats The knob that controls this feature is located on the outboard sides of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. Your vehicle may have heated seats. If it does, the heated seat switches are located in the instrument panel switchbank. Turn the knob toward the front of the vehicle to increase lumbar support. Turn the knob toward the rear of the vehicle to decrease lumbar support. This feature will quickly heat the seat cushions and lower back of the driver’s and front passenger’s seat. The left switch is for the driver’s seat and the right switch is for the front passenger’s seat. Press the top of the switch to turn the heater on. Press the bottom of the switch to turn the heater off. The heated seat switch will turn off when the ignition is turned to OFF and will resume operation when the ignition is turned to ON, unless the switch is turned off. 1-5 Reclining Seatbacks {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. Pull up on the lever, and the seat will go to its original upright position. To adjust a seatback, pull up on the lever located on the outboard side of the driver’s or front passenger’s seats. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into position. 1-6 Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. {CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you are reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash, the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly. 1-7 Head Restraints Rear Seats Rear Seat Operation The rear seats in your vehicle have seat operating features to adjust, fold, remove and reinstall the seats. By using the seat operating procedures, in the correct order, you can easily remove the seats from your vehicle. When you put the seats back in the vehicle, be sure to follow the label on the back of the seat for proper location. Split Bench Seats If your vehicle has the split bench seat, the seatbacks can be folded forward or reclined individually and the sections can be ﬂipped forward or removed individually. Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. The head restraints are adjustable. Slide the head restraint up or down to adjust it. 1-8 Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. To recline the seatback on base-level split bench seats, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. Base-Level To recline the seatback on up-level split bench seats, push forward on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. Up-Level Move the seatback to the desired position. It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you lean forward and take the weight off the seatback. The seatbacks on each section also fold forward to put items behind the seats. Lift up or push forward on the recliner lever and fold the seatback forward. The seatback will lock into place when you push it back to the upright position. After raising a seatback to an upright position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is locked upright. 1-9 Removing the Split Bench Seat Each section of the split bench seat can be ﬂipped forward or removed individually. 1. Unlatch the shoulder belt from the lap-belt. 2. Make sure that the seatback is in the upright position. 3. Lift up or push forward on the seatback recliner lever to fold the seatback forward. 1-10 Base-Level 4. For base-level split bench seats, pull the lever at the base of the seat on the outboard side to release the rear latches from the ﬂoor pins and ﬂip the seat forward. For up-level split bench seats, continue pushing forward on the recliner lever to release the rear latches from the ﬂoor pins and ﬂip the seat forward. 5. To release the front latches, squeeze the angled latch release bar toward the straight crossbar. 6. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. Repeat these steps for the other section of the split bench seat. 1-11 Replacing the Split Bench Seat {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it. {CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. Make sure that the seatback is in the folded forward position and that the safety belts are on the correct section of the seat. Don’t put the sections of the bench seat in so that they face rearward because they won’t latch that way. The split bench seat sections have seat position labels, located on the back of each section, showing where the section must go. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. 1-12 1. Squeeze the angled latch release bar toward the straight crossbar while placing the front hooks of the bench seat onto the front two ﬂoor pins. 2. Make sure that the bench seat is angled so that the front hooks clear the ﬂoor pins. If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear legs will not attach to the rear set of ﬂoor pins. 1-13 Captain Chairs If your vehicle has captain’s chairs, the chairs and seatbacks can be adjusted forward or rearward. Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs (Second Row) To adjust the second row captain’s chairs, use the adjustment bar located below the front of each seat. Lift up the lever to slide the seat forward or rearward. Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place. Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. 3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear ﬂoor pins by pushing down on the rear of the seat. 4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down. 5. Lift the seatback recliner lever and raise the seatback until it locks upright. 6. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is locked upright. 7. Attach the lap belt. 1-14 Removing the Captain’s Chairs 1. Make sure that the seatback is in the upright position. 2. Lift the seatback recliner lever to fold the seatback forward. To recline the seatback, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. Use the recliner lever to move the seatback to the desired position. It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you lean forward and take the weight off the seatback. After raising a seatback to an upright position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is locked upright. 3. Pull the nylon strap behind the chair to release the rear hooks from the ﬂoor pins. 1-15 Replacing the Captain’s Chairs {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it. 4. The seat can then be lifted off the front ﬂoor pins. 5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. Repeat these steps for the other captain’s chair. 1-16 {CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. Make sure that the seatback is in the folded forward position and that the safety belts are on the correct side of the chair. Don’t put the chairs in so that they face rearward because they won’t latch that way. The captain’s chairs have seat position labels, located on the back of each section, showing where the section must go. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. 1. Hook the front latches over the front ﬂoor pins. 1-17 Stowable Seat The stowable seat is a two passenger bench seat and comes with the rear convenience center. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-43 for more information. The stowable seat can be removed and replaced or, with the seatback folded, it can lie ﬂat with the convenience center. Folding the Seatback {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. 2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear latches onto the rear set of ﬂoor pins. 3. Push and pull on the seat to check that it is properly attached. 1-18 To fold the seatback down, pull up on the lever located on the back of the seat. Push down on the seatback until it is locked into place. To raise the seatback, do one of the following: From the rear of the vehicle, pull up on the lever to release the seatback. Then pull the strap, located on the right side of the seat, to pull the seatback up. The seatback has a pocket to stow the strap on the side of the seatback when not in use, or from the passenger’s side door, pull up on the lever to release the seatback. Then push up on the seatback to raise the seat. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into the upright position. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into place. 1-19 (cid:127) (cid:127) Removing the Stowable Seat 1. Remove the convenience center, if it is in the vehicle. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-43 for more information. 2. Make sure all items are off the stowable seat. 3. If the seatback is down, put the seatback in its upright position before removing the seat. See “Folding the Seatback” listed previously. 4. From the front of the bench seat, remove the two nuts from the brackets, located on the ﬂoor on each side. 5. From behind the bench seat, fold the seatback down. 6. Remove the rear nuts located on the ﬂoor on each side. 7. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out through the rear of the vehicle. This should be done in one motion. 8. Put the nuts back onto the screws so the nuts do not get misplaced. Replacing the Stowable Seat {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it. 1-20 {CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. Do not put the stowable seat in so that it faces rearward. The stowable seat has to go in before the rear convenience center. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-43 for more information. The stowable seat has seat position labels, located on the back of the seat, showing where the seat must go. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. Make sure that the seatback is folded forward before beginning this procedure. 1. Remove the nuts from the screws. 2. Place the stowable seat on the vehicle ﬂoor so that the brackets are placed over the screws. 3. Reinstall the nuts back onto the screws. Torque to approximately 18 lb ft (25 Y). 4. Try to raise the seat to make sure that it is locked down. 5. Raise the seatback to its upright position. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into place. 1-21 {CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. {CAUTION: Do not let anyone ride where he or she cannot wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts are fastened properly too. 1-22 Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-40. Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work. You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter...a lot! Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on wheels. 1-23 Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop. 1-24 The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel... 1-25 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I am wearing a safety belt? A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Every airbag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense. 1-26 Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in an accident — even one that is not your fault — you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-45 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-48. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you will want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We will start with the driver position. Driver Position Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. 1-27 3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-45. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 5. Move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you. See Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment on page 1-35. 1-28 6. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. 1-29 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 1-30 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1-31 {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests. Q: What is wrong with this? A: The belt is over an armrest. 1-32 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. 1-33 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 1-34 To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle. Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder. To move it down, push down on the button (A) and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the height adjuster up by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the height adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pushing the button down to make sure it has locked into position. 1-35 Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-27. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt — except for one thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. Rear Outside Passenger Positions It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts. A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. 1-36 Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-45. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-37 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. 1-38 The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. 1-39 Center Rear Passenger Position Lap-Shoulder Belt If your vehicle has a bench seat, someone can sit in the center position. When you sit in the center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. You also have a shoulder belt, which has a retractor. In order to have the protection of the shoulder belt, you must ﬁrst connect it to the lap belt. 1-40 1. Remove the shoulder belt from its stowage location in the roof and pull it all the way down to the lap belt. 2. Insert the metal knob on the shoulder belt into the keyhole on the lap belt buckle as shown. Be sure to slide the shoulder belt part into the keyhole until it locks into place. 3. To make the lap belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. 1-41 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides Rear safety belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is a guide available for the center passenger position in the second row rear seat. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug 4. Buckle, position and release the lap-shoulder belt the same way as the other lap-shoulder belts. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-45. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-42 Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: Second Row Center Position For second row center position do the following: 1. Remove the elastic cord from under the head restraint of the second row driver’s side position. 2. Attach the elastic cord to the comfort guide on the center passenger shoulder belt. 1-43 {CAUTION: A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The guide must be on top of the belt. 4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described in Center Rear Passenger Position on page 1-40. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the elastic cord, remove it from the comfort guide. The elastic cord will go back under the head restraint. 1-44 Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger. Although you cannot see them, they are located on the retractor part of the safety belts. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-88. Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. It is free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender. Child Restraints Older Children Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. 1-45 Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. 1-46 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can not properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. Also see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides on page 1-42. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. 1-47 Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint. {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 1-48 {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. 1-49 {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will

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2006 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual