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Buick Rendezvous Maintenance and Repair

2506 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 2:21 PM

You are in the Buick Rendezvous Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Rendezvous, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 251

#1 of 2506 by KarenS HOST

Jul 05, 2001 (12:13 pm)

Have you experienced any problems with your Rendezvous? Please share any solutions!
 
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

#2 of 2506 This isn't a problem per se by fedlawman

Jul 20, 2001 (6:00 pm)

but, I'll bring it up here.
 
We've already discussed the slight pause required to unlock the doors when they are set to unlock upon removing the key from the ignition.
 
I have also noticed that the passenger side mirror doesn't seem to stay exactly where I set it. I noticed this especially when my mirror was set to tilt down when backing up.
 
Has anyone else noticed the "wandering mirror" phenomenon?

#3 of 2506 GM Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit GM Bike Rack??? by john325

Jul 26, 2001 (6:48 pm)

(Thursday afternoon) Just had a GM trailer hitch installed on our RDV. Then I tried to insert the end of our new GM bike rack into the trailer hitch receiver. Unfortunately, the receiver hole is about 1 3/8" square, whereas the bike rack end is a 2" square. I suspect that there's probably an adapter that will remedy this problem. If so, I'm curious if I was going use a locking pin in the first place, that I would need 2 locking pins w/ an adapter solution. I'm not sure...
 
I'm sure glad I didn't wait 'til Saturday's packing, assuming everything would be fine. You'd kind of expect a GM trailer hitch to be compatible w/ a GM Bike rack??? I'll have to contact parts 1st thing in AM; I'm planning on using this for trip to Yosemite w/ 4 bikes. Time is ticking... I'll keep you all posted.

#4 of 2506 That sucks! by fedlawman

Jul 26, 2001 (11:21 pm)

#5 of 2506 Bike Rack Dilema by john325

Jul 27, 2001 (12:31 pm)

Brian: It sure does suck. I'm just wasting lots of time trying to get things right for our trip.
 
Anyway, this is what I've come up with. Although you have a $30,000 car with a trailer hitch (1 1/4") that can tow up to 3,500 pounds, the only bike rack GM sells for it will only carry 3 bikes. Hard to figure ???? And the actual one they sold me fits a 2 inch receiver.
 
My dealer had said they'd reimburse me for the cost of an adapter (2" to 1 1/4") which runs about $50, I'm leaning away from that option for the following reasons:
 
  • The adapter alone weighs 25 pounds

  • It somehow puts extra stress/weight on the "tongue"

    •  
  • It would cause the bikes to be an additional 6 inches or so behing the car.

    •  
  • Possible rattling noise from adapter hook-up.

 
Instead, I'm planning on returning the GM bike rack to the dealer and buying a 4-bike rack elsewhere that will fit the 1 1/4" receiver. Hopefully, this post will save those of you considering bike racks lots of hassle.

#6 of 2506 GM study by fedlawman

Jul 28, 2001 (12:10 am)

Why your bike rack doesn't fit.
 
GM did a market research study and determined that the riding of bicycles was detrimental to their satelite dish business and SUV sales.
 
It seems when people are unable to ride their bikes, they tend to watch more TELEVISION, which causes them to gain weight and lose stamina. A vicious cycle (pun intended) begins wherein the poor, overweight, former biker no longer fits on the perch of his Cannondale and therefore seeks a new hobby...HOME THEATER!
 
A side benefit is that the person, now carrying an average of 30% more body fat needs a new, bigger car to fit inside...hence GM's thriving SUV sales.
 
So you see John, you never stood a chance.

#7 of 2506 GM Conspiracy (Fedlawman) by john325

Jul 28, 2001 (12:40 am)

I knew the odds were against me. Thanks for sharing the GM Market Study with me. In the words, or acronym of r5, I was ROTFLMAO when I read your explanation. [Thanks to cwj for helping me understand the acronym.]
 
I ended up buying a Thule bike rack today. It fits 4 bikes and, equally important, if fits the 1 1/4 inch receiver on the RDV hitch. It was slightly more money than the GM bike rack, but the main thing is we've got one we can use for our trip to Yosemite.

#8 of 2506 I'm glad you worked it out John by fedlawman

Jul 28, 2001 (8:39 pm)

I see a lot of Thule accessories in the Seattle area, mounted on all manner of vehicles (Subaru's are especially popular up here, what with all the tree huggers).
 
 Their website is also very informative...I checked out the roof mounted luggage carriers there.

#9 of 2506 Check Battery Light Staying On by dws41

Aug 02, 2001 (3:54 pm)

New Problem: after a 35 minute ride (in high 90 degree temp) and shutting the engine off for 10 minutes; upon restarting the Rendezvous, the "CHECK BATTERY" icon remained lighted on the instrument panel. I drove it into the dealership. The technician started the engine and "voila", the "CHECK BATTERY" icon did what it was supposed to do, shut off! The car remains in the shop pending further "testing".
     Has anyone else had this unusual experience???

#10 of 2506 Major Problems with this car!! by golddf

Aug 05, 2001 (10:14 am)

I bought the car on a Saturday, and the following Wednesday I had to have the car towed to the dealership. With less than 300 miles on it, the car has major engine, steering and brake problems. The service department can't seem to fix the problem. They are waiting on a solution from GM...who knows how long that will be. So far no one at GM, the dealership or OnStar has been helpful. No loaner cars were available, so I'm fending for myself. This entire new car experience has been a disaster!

Messages Page 1 of 251

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