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Introduction
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Market Position
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Segment Placement:
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The Buick Rendezvous was positioned as a comfortable, family-oriented mid-size crossover SUV, offering a car-like driving experience with the versatility of an SUV. It competed with vehicles like the Ford Freestyle/Taurus X, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot.
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Competitive Analysis
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Key Rivals 2007:
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Ford Freestyle, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Equinox (though smaller), Saturn Outlook (introduced later, but similar concept).
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Key Features
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Versatility:
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Offered flexible seating configurations and a spacious interior for its class, making it practical for families and cargo hauling.
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Comfort Focus:
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Buick's emphasis on a quiet and comfortable ride was a hallmark of the Rendezvous, setting it apart from more rugged or performance-oriented SUVs.
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Availability Of All Wheel Drive:
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Offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, enhancing its utility in various weather conditions.
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Design Rationale:
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Based on GM's U-body platform, shared with minivans and other SUVs, it provided a unibody construction for better ride comfort and handling compared to body-on-frame SUVs.
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Manual Coverage
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Systems Covered
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Powertrain:
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Engine operation, starting and driving procedures, fuel system basics, cooling system, lubrication, exhaust system overview, and transmission engagement.
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Chassis:
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Braking system, steering system, suspension system, wheels and tires (including pressure checks and rotation recommendations).
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Electrical:
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Instrument panel, warning lights, lighting systems (headlights, taillights, interior), power outlets, fuses, and basic electrical component operation.
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Comfort And Convenience:
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HVAC system operation, climate control, power windows, power locks, mirrors, seating adjustments, and interior features.
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Safety Systems
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Restraints:
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Seat belt operation and adjustment, child restraint system (CRS) installation (LATCH/ISOFIX and universal anchorage systems), and airbag system (SRS) operation and precautions.
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Procedures Included
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Pre Driving:
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Pre-driving checks, fluid level checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure checks, and general vehicle inspection.
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Driving Operation:
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Starting the engine, shifting gears, parking, and basic driving techniques for various conditions.
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Emergency Situations:
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Instructions for flat tire changes, jump-starting the battery, towing information, overheating, and operating in emergency braking situations.
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Maintenance Do It Yourself:
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Routine maintenance tasks such as checking and topping up fluids, replacing wiper blades, and basic care for the vehicle's appearance. May include guidance on checking and replacing cabin air filters.
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Technical Depth
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Depth Level:
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Owner-level maintenance and operation. Focuses on understanding vehicle functions, performing basic upkeep, and responding to common situations. Does not cover in-depth diagnostic procedures or component-level repairs that would be found in a service manual.
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Dimensions
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Exterior
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Length:
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193.8 inches (4923 mm)
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Width:
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72.3 inches (1836 mm)
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Height:
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67.1 inches (1704 mm)
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Wheelbase:
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113.0 inches (2870 mm)
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Interior
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Passenger Volume:
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Approximately 110 cubic feet (3.12 cubic meters)
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Cargo
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Cargo Volume Behind 3Rd Row:
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Not applicable for the standard Rendezvous which was typically a 2-row vehicle. The Enclave model, however, offered a third row, and cargo behind it would be limited.
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Cargo Volume Behind 2Nd Row:
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Approximately 39.5 cubic feet (1.12 cubic meters)
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Weights
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Curb Weight FWD:
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Approximately 3,810 lbs (1728 kg)
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Curb Weight AWD:
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Approximately 4,000 lbs (1814 kg)
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Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
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Approximately 5,300 lbs (2404 kg) for FWD, slightly higher for AWD.
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Towing Capacity:
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Up to 3,500 lbs (1588 kg) when properly equipped with the towing package.
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Safety Features
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Ratings
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NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
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5 Stars
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NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
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5 Stars
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NHTSA Side Impact Front Seat:
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5 Stars
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NHTSA Side Impact Rear Seat:
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5 Stars
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IIHS Front Offset Good:
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Good
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IIHS Side Impact Good:
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Good
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Active Features
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ABS:
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Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
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Traction Control:
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Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
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Stability Control:
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Electronic Stability Control (StabiliTrak) often standard or available on higher trims.
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Passive Features
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Airbags Front:
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Dual front airbags (driver and passenger)
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Airbags Side:
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Front side-impact airbags and available side curtain airbags for front and second-row passengers.
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Seat Belts:
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3-point seat belts for all seating positions, with pretensioners and load limiters for front occupants. Adjustable front shoulder belts.
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Child Safety:
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LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system for child seat installation in rear seats. Child safety rear door locks.
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Maintenance
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Service Intervals
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Oil Change Interval:
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Typically every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first, under normal driving conditions. This can be extended up to 10,000 miles (16,000 km) if using synthetic oil and conditions are ideal (refer to manual for exact details).
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Tire Rotation Interval:
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Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or with every oil change.
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Engine Air Filter Replacement:
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Recommended every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or as needed based on inspection.
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Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
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Recommended every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or annually.
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Transmission Fluid Change:
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Inspect fluid condition regularly. GM often recommended checking at 100,000 miles (160,000 km) under normal use, but it's prudent to change it earlier if driving in severe conditions or if the fluid appears degraded.
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Coolant Flush:
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Initial change at 5 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), then every 2-5 years or 30,000-100,000 miles depending on coolant type.
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Fluid Specifications
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Engine Oil Type:
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SAE 5W-30 (API SM or higher service category).
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Engine Oil Capacity:
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4.5 US quarts (4.3 Liters) with filter change for the 3.5L V6.
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Coolant Type:
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GM Goodwrench Dex-Cool (orange coolant), a 50/50 mixture of Dex-Cool coolant and distilled water. Avoid using conventional green coolant.
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Brake Fluid Type:
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DOT 3
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Power Steering Fluid Type:
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GM Power Steering Fluid or equivalent DEXRON-III/VI ATF.
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Known Issues
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Common Complaint 1:
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Transmission issues: Some models can experience rough shifting or premature wear in the 4T65-E transmission, especially if maintenance is neglected. Torque converter shudder is also a reported issue.
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Common Complaint 2:
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Front suspension components: Wear in ball joints, control arm bushings, and tie rod ends can lead to clunking noises and alignment issues.
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Common Complaint 3:
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Power steering pump leaks: The power steering system can sometimes develop leaks, typically from the pump or hoses.
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Common Complaint 4:
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Catalytic converter issues: Like many vehicles of this era, catalytic converters can become clogged or fail over time, leading to reduced performance and check engine lights.
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Vehicle History
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Brand Heritage
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Buick Legacy:
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Buick has a long history of producing comfortable, quiet, and well-appointed vehicles, often targeting a mature demographic seeking refinement and a smooth ride. The Rendezvous carried this tradition into the SUV segment.
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Model Evolution
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Rendezvous Launch:
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The Buick Rendezvous was introduced for the 2002 model year as Buick's first-ever crossover SUV, aiming to capture a growing market segment.
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2007 Update:
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The 2007 model year saw minor updates. The Rendezvous was nearing the end of its production cycle, with the more modern Buick Enclave launched for the 2008 model year, effectively replacing the Rendezvous. The 'ENCLAVE' mention in the product description likely refers to the fact that the Rendezvous paved the way for the Enclave's more premium positioning and shared some underlying platform philosophies.
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Production
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Platform:
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GM U-body platform (shared with Saturn Relay, Pontiac Montana SV6, and Chevrolet Uplander minivans, and also influenced the Chevrolet TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy SUV lineage indirectly through shared GM engineering resources).
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Manufacturing Location:
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General Motors' Oshawa Car Assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Production Years:
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2002-2007
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