BUICK ENCORE 2013 Owner's Manual
Page 261 of 368
Black plate (27,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-27
Electrical System
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed. This
greatly reduces the chance of circuit
overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
power devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road and
a fuse needs to be replaced, the
same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
possible.
To identify and check fuses, circuit
breakers, and relays, seeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on
page 10-28, Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 10-31, and Rear
Compartment Fuse Block on
page 10-33.
Page 262 of 368
Black plate (28,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-28 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To remove the fuse block cover,
squeeze the clip and lift it up.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown. Mini Fuses Usage
1 Sunroof
2 Outside Rearview Mirror Switch
3 Canister Vent Solenoid
4 Not Used
5 Electronic Brake Control Module
Valve
6 Not Used
7 Not Used
8 Transmission Control Module
Battery
9 BCM Regulated Voltage Control
10 Fuel System Control Module R/C/
Headlamp Leveling
11 Rear Wiper
Page 263 of 368
Black plate (29,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-29
Mini Fuses Usage12 Rear Window Defogger
13 Not Used
14 Outside Rearview Mirror Heater
15 Fuel System Control Module Battery
16 Heated Seat Module/Memory
Module
17 Transmission Control Module R/C
18 Engine Control Module R/C
19 Fuel Pump
20 Not Used
21 Fan Relay (Auxiliary Fuse Block)
22 Not Used
23 Ignition Coil/Injectors
24 Washer Pump Mini Fuses Usage
25 Not Used
26 Canister Purge Solenoid/Water
Valve Solenoid/
Oxygen Sensors –
Pre and Post/Turbo
Wastegate Solenoid
(1.4L)/Turbo Bypass
Solenoid (1.4L)
27 Not Used
28 Not Used
29 Engine Control Module Powertrain
Ignition 1/Ignition 2
30 Mass Air Flow Sensor
31 Left High-Beam Headlamp
32 Right High-Beam Headlamp
33 Engine Control Module Battery Mini Fuses Usage
34 Horn
35 Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
36 Front Fog Lamps
J-Case Fuses Usage
1 Electronic Brake Control
Module Pump
2 Front Wiper
3 Blower Motor
4 IEC R/C
5 Not Used
6 Not Used
7 Not Used
8 Cooling Fan Low/Mid
9 Cooling Fan High
10 EVP
Page 264 of 368
Black plate (30,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-30 Vehicle Care
J-CaseFuses Usage
11 Starter Solenoid
U-Micro Relays Usage
2 Not Used
4 Spare
HC-Micro Relays Usage
7 Starter
Mini
Relays Usage
1 Run Crank
3 Cooling Fan Mid
5 Powertrain Relay
8 Cooling Fan Low HC-Mini
Relays Usage
6 Cooling Fan High
Auxiliary Fuse Block
To remove the fuse block cover,
squeeze the clips and lift it up.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
Relays Usage
01 Electric Vacuum Pump
02 Cooling Fan Control 1
03 Cooling Fan Control 2
04 Trailer (N/A)
Page 265 of 368
Black plate (31,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-31
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is
on the underside of the driver side
instrument panel. To access the
fuses, remove the storage
compartment. To remove the
storage compartment, open the
compartment and pull it out.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Mini Fuses Usage
1 Body Control Module 1
2 Body Control Module 2
3 Body Control Module 3
4 Body Control Module 4
5 Body Control Module 5
6 Body Control Module 6
7 Body Control Module 7
8 Body Control Module 8
9 Discrete Logic Ignition Sensor
10 Sensing Diagnostic Module Battery
11 Data Link Connection
Page 266 of 368
Black plate (32,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-32 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuses Usage12 Heater, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
MDL/ICS
13 Liftgate Relay
14 UPA Module
15 LDW Module/Inside Rearview Mirror
16 Adaptive Forward Lighting Module
17 Power WNDWSW DR
18 Rain Sensor
19 Body Control Module Regulated
Voltage Control
20 Steering Wheel Switch Backlighting
21 A/C Accessory Power Outlet/
PRNDL Mini Fuses Usage
22 Cigar Lighter/DC Accessory Power
Outlet
23 Spare
24 Spare
25 Spare
26 Sensing Diagnostic Module RC/
Automatic Occupant
Sensing Display
27 IPC/PTC Control/ Clutch Switch
28 Headlamp Switch/ AFL/DC Converter
29 Spare
30 Spare
31 IPC Battery
32 Radio/Chime/ Aux Jack
33 Display/Faceplate
34 OnStar/UHP/DAB S/B Fuses Usage
1 Spare
2 Spare
3 Power Window Motor Front
4 Power Window Motor Rear
5 Logistic Mode Relay
6 Spare
7 Spare
8 Spare
Circuit
Breaker Usage
CB1 Spare
Midi Fuse Usage M01 PTC
Page 267 of 368
Black plate (33,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-33
Relays Usage01 Accessory/Retained Accessory Power
02 Liftgate
03 Spare
04 Spare
05 Logistic ModeRear Compartment Fuse
Block
The rear compartment fuse block is
behind a cover on the left side of
the rear compartment. To access
the fuses, remove the cover.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
Page 268 of 368
Black plate (34,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-34 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuses Usage1 Driver Seat Power Lumbar Switch
2 Passenger Seat Power Lumbar
Switch
3 Amplifier
4 Trailer Socket (N/A)
5 All-Wheel Drive Module
6 Automatic Occupant Sensing Module
7 Spare
8 Trailer Parking Lamps (N/A)
9 Spare
10 Spare
11 Trailer Module (N/A)
12 Nav Dock
13 Heated Steering Wheel Mini Fuses Usage
14 Trailer Socket (N/A)
15 EVP Switch
16 Water In Fuel Sensor
17 Inside Rearview Mirror/Regulated
Voltage Control
18 Spare
S/B Fuses Usage 1 Driver Power Seat Switch/Memory
Module
2 Passenger Power Seat Switch
3 Trailer Module (N/A)
4 A/C-D/C Inverter
5 Battery
6 Headlamp Washer
7 Spare S/B Fuses Usage
8 Spare
9 Spare
Relays Usage 1 Ignition Relay
2 Run Relay
Page 269 of 368
Black plate (35,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-35
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{WARNING
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much flexing.
There could be a blowout
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)and a serious crash. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9-10.
.Underinflated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could
cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently
to maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires
are cold.
.Overinflated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact —such as when
hitting a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Worn or old tires can
cause a crash. If the tread
is badly worn,
replace them.
.Replace any tires that
have been damaged by
impacts with potholes,
curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only
the dealer or an
authorized tire service
center should repair,
replace, dismount, and
mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h
(35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow,
mud, ice, etc. Excessive
spinning may cause the
tires to explode.
Page 270 of 368
Black plate (36,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-36 Vehicle Care
All-Season Tires
This vehicle may come with
all-season tires. These tires are
designed to provide good overall
performance on most road surfaces
and weather conditions. Original
equipment tires designed to GM's
specific tire performance criteria
have a TPC specification code
molded onto the sidewall. Original
equipment all-season tires can be
identified by the last two characters
of this TPC code, which will
be“MS.”
Consider installing winter tires on
the vehicle if frequent driving on
snow or ice-covered roads is
expected. All-season tires provide
adequate performance for most
winter driving conditions, but they
may not offer the same level of
traction or performance as winter
tires on snow or ice-covered roads.
See Winter Tires on page 10-36.
Winter Tires
This vehicle was not originally
equipped with winter tires. Winter
tires are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice-covered
roads. Consider installing winter
tires on the vehicle if frequent
driving on snow or ice-covered
roads is expected. See your dealer
for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection.
Also, see Buying New Tires on
page 10-50.
With winter tires, there may be
decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise, and shorter
tread life. After changing to winter
tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
If using winter tires:
.Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and
speed rating as the original
equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment tires
may not be available for H, V, W, Y,
and ZR speed rated tires. If winter
tires with a lower speed rating are
chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.
Summer Tires
This vehicle may come with high
performance summer tires. These
tires have a special tread and
compound that are optimized for
maximum dry and wet road
performance. This special tread and
compound will decrease
performance in cold climates, and
on ice and snow. We recommend
installing winter tires on the vehicle
if frequent driving in cold
temperatures or on snow or ice
covered roads is expected. See
Winter Tires on page 10-36.