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Buick Rendezvous: Care & Maintenance

63 messages,  Last post on Oct 06, 2006 at 1:21 PM

You are in the Buick Rendezvous Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Rendezvous, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 7

#44 of 63 car wash by nextmoon

Jan 07, 2003 (12:55 pm)

I took her for a day of snow tubing in eastern Pennsylvania and she was almost white up past the side cladding from all the stuff from winter roads. After that I had no choice but to take her to a touchless car wash. The carwash did an OK job which included an undercarriage wash. It got the roof OK, no soap lefted over or anything like that. I took a final wipe with a towel and there was still dirt left but isn't as visible (I have the Pewter color). I don't have a garage, so washing by hand is out of the question.

#45 of 63 AT fluid by olrdv

Mar 29, 2003 (1:57 pm)

I am not concern about the engine, it is an old proven design. My concern is the tranny. Are you guys using anything special to increase the AT life? Any special AT fluid brand?

#46 of 63 Engin and trans. by 03whitecxl

Jul 24, 2003 (10:02 am)

You shouldn't have anything to worry about the engine or the trans. giving out. This engine has been around for about 20 years! although it has been upgraded to be a fine performer. I have this basic engine in my 90 Turbocharged Grand Prix and they easily go 120-200 miles even turbo'd. The trans is the 4t65-e which is the same as in the supercharged grand prix's and are rated for much more power than these engines produce. I was glad to hear these had the better trans. instead of the 4t60-e which often give out at 75-110k miles. If you have the tow package, you have a trans cooler & heavy duty radiator, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about with it.

#47 of 63 Strong Transmission? (03whitecxl) by john325

Jul 24, 2003 (10:53 am)

Perhaps our transmission was an exception, as it was replaced at about 30,000 miles. I'm glad it was changed under warranty and hopeful that it'll last me or someone else the 110K+ miles that you mentioned. Btw, we do have the towing package, but only carry 4 bikes on the back - no actual towing. Our Rdv is, of course, the '02.
 
John B.

#48 of 63 @004 Buick Rendevous, Better Gas mileage? by pgn421

Jun 15, 2005 (3:36 pm)

Anyone know how to get better gas mileage? different air filter perhaps? It is a pain to change.
                                                                                      PGN

#49 of 63 changing air fliter by sequim

Jun 26, 2005 (6:56 pm)

How do you change the air filter? Never in my car owning experience have I seen such a horse shoed arrangement as this air filter! I haven't a clue about how to go about it.
 
I'd also be interested in improving mileage too. I've developed a light touch on the accelerator and actually have my foot off it as much as possible, but my mileage is still disappointing unless I'm on the freeway for long stretches.

#50 of 63 pgn421, What MPG are you getting.... by verdi942

Jun 27, 2005 (11:00 am)

Are we talking AWD or FWD, 3.4 or 3.6 engine; climate control or manual A/C? I'll start things off here - I'm driving an '04 FWD 3.4 CX w/manual A/C and 10K miles. With the Affinity tires at 36 lbs and the A/C off, I'm averaging 23MPG. That's with a light foot driving about 1/3 in NYC traffic [the Rondy's a joy there!]; 1/3 interstate miles and 1/3 suburban short trips. On straight runs to the Shore [60 mph on flat ground], I've gotten 31 mpg as measured when I actually filled the tank. Putting on the [excellent!] A/C in the recent steambath weather is costing about 2 mpg. I find that using the cruise control on a hilly [even SLIGHT upgrades] highway causes frequent downshifts which I'm sure waste gas. Instead, I use my "right foot with a fresh egg under it" technique to try and stay in 4th gear. My guess is the more powerful 3.6 engine should avoid the downshifts and actually use LESS gas. Am I right? Let me know.

#51 of 63 Re: pgn421, What MPG are you getting.... [verdi942] by mstockhowe

Jun 27, 2005 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: verdi942 (Jun 27, 2005 11:00 am)
I have the 3.6L engine (AWD) and it still downshifts on slight up hill grades when it doesn't seem it should have to. We would love to see 31 MPG -- best so far was 25 going 60MPH on an extended run. Haven't tried calculating it at the pump -- relying on the onboard computer. The AC (climate control system) seems to take more than 2MPG, especially in the city.

#52 of 63 Re: changing air fliter [sequim] by pgn421

Jun 29, 2005 (6:54 am)

Replying to: sequim (Jun 26, 2005 6:56 pm)
Hi
    Have you changed your air filter onyour rendevous? Is it hard? A service station quoted me 20.00 tochange it. It looks likea nightmare.
                                                                                                      PGN

#53 of 63 Re: pgn421, What MPG are you getting.... [mstockhowe] by pgn421

Jun 29, 2005 (6:56 am)

Replying to: mstockhowe (Jun 27, 2005 8:40 pm)
Hi
   According to my computer im getting 24.3 miles per gallon, on the highway. Im doing around 70mph. I was wondering if i putone of those high perf air filters i might get better gas mileage. What do you think?
                                                                                       Pat Detroit

Messages Page 6 of 7

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