airbag BUICK ENCORE 2016 Owner's Manual

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
4 Introduction
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>: Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
a:Under Pressure
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents 0141.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change
Signals 0129.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0127.
3. Instrument Cluster 0101.
4. Driver Information Center (DIC) Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0113.
5. Windshield Wiper/Washer 095.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 097.
6. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0168.
Hazard Warning
Flashers 0128.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator. See Passenger
Sensing System 065.
7. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0128.
8. Infotainment 0133.
9. Instrument Panel Storage 089. 10. Shift Lever. See
Automatic
Transmission 0164.
11. Auxiliary Input Jack. See the Infotainment Manual.
12. Power Outlets 098.
13. Parking Assist 0175 (If
Equipped).
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0180 (If Equipped).
14. Climate Control Systems 0134
or Dual Automatic Climate
Control System 0137 (If
Equipped).
15. Ignition Positions 0155.
16. Steering Wheel Controls 095.
17. Horn 095.
18. Steering Wheel
Adjustment 095.
19. Cruise Control 0170.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0177 (If Equipped).
20. Instrument Panel Storage 089. 21. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0106.
22. Hood Release. See Hood 0190.
23. Exterior Lamp Controls 0126.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0130.
Front Fog Lamps 0129 (If
Equipped).

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
In Brief 13
Passenger Sensing
System
United States
Canada and Mexico
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. No other airbag is
affected by the passenger sensing
system. See Passenger Sensing
System 065 for important
information. The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started. See
Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator 0105.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the selector switch to L (Left) or R (Right) to choose
the driver or passenger mirror.
2. Move the control to adjust the mirror. 3. Turn the selector switch to
9
to deselect the mirror.
Interior Mirror
Adjustment
Hold the rearview mirror in the
center and move it to view the area
behind the vehicle.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped with a manual rearview
mirror, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it for nighttime
use to avoid glare from the
headlamps from behind. See
Manual Rearview Mirror
037.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror
If equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror, the mirror
will automatically reduce the glare
from the headlamps from behind.
The dimming feature comes on
when the vehicle is started.
See Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror 037.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
The ignition key, key rings, and RKE
transmitter, if equipped, are
designed to work together. As a
system, they reduce the risk of
unintentionally moving the key out
of the RUN position. If replacements
or additions are required, see your
dealer. Limit added items to a few
essential keys or small, light items
no larger than an RKE transmitter.
Interference from radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags may
prevent the key from starting the
vehicle. Keep RFID tags away from
the key when starting the vehicle.
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for the ignition and all
locks.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Seats and Restraints 41
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . 44
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 58 Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . 61
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Passenger Sensing System . . . 65
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 69
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . 70
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Infants and Young Children . . . . 72
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . 75
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . 76
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System) . . . . 77 Replacing LATCH System Parts
After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Securing Child Restraints (Front
Passenger Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
48 Seats and Restraints
If equipped, the controls are on the
climate control panel. The engine
must be running to operate the
heated seats.
Press
MorLto heat the driver or
passenger seat cushion and
seatback.
Press the control once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the control, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then the off setting. Three lights
indicate the highest setting and one
light the lowest.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up. Remote Start Heated Seats
When it is cold outside, the heated
seats can be turned on
automatically during a remote
vehicle start. The heated seats will
be canceled when the ignition is
turned on. Press the heated seat
controls to use the heated seats
after the vehicle is started.
The heated seat indicator lights on
the control do not turn on during a
remote start.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced.
This is normal.
The heated seats will not turn on
during a remote start unless the
heated seat feature is enabled in
the vehicle personalization menu.
See
Remote Vehicle Start 029 and
Vehicle Personalization 0121.
Folding Seatback
The front passenger seatback
folds flat.
{Warning
If you fold the seatback forward to
carry longer objects, such as skis,
be sure any such cargo is not
near an airbag. In a crash, an
inflating airbag might force that
object toward a person. This
could cause severe injury or even
death. Secure objects away from
the area in which an airbag would
inflate. For more information, see
Where Are the Airbags? 061 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0151.
{Warning
Things you put on this seatback
can strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
Remove or secure all items
before driving.
To fold the seatback: 1. Lower the head restraint all the way. See Head
Restraints 042.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
54 Seats and Restraints
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, whyshould I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they work with
safety belts —not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the
most protection.
Also, in nearly all states and in
all Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing safety belts.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly
This section is only for people of
adult size.
There are special things to know
about safety belts and children, and
there are different rules for smaller
children and infants. If a child will be
riding in the vehicle, see Older
Children 071 orInfants and Young
Children 072. Follow those rules for
everyone's protection. It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
There are important things to know
about wearing a safety belt properly.
.
Sit up straight and always keep
your feet on the floor in front
of you.
. Always use the correct buckle
for your seating position.
. Wear the lap part of the belt 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 on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
. Wear the shoulder belt over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining
forces. The shoulder belt locks if
there is a sudden stop or crash.
{Warning
You can be seriously injured,
or even killed, by not wearing
your safety belt properly.
. Never allow the lap or
shoulder belt to become
loose or twisted.
. Never wear the shoulder
belt under both arms or
behind your back.
. Never route the lap or
shoulder belt over an
armrest.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Seats and Restraints 59
Warning (Continued)
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the safety
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0104.
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.
A frontal airbag for the driver.
. A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger.
. A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver.
. A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly
behind the front outboard
passenger.
The vehicle may have the following
airbags:
. A knee airbag for the driver.
. A knee airbag for the front
outboard passenger. .
Seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the second row
outboard passengers.
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the lower part of the
instrument panel.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seatback closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
60 Seats and Restraints
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
SeeWhen Should an Airbag
Inflate? 062.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to any
airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
sit unnecessarily close to any
airbag, as you would be if sitting
on the edge of the seat or leaning
forward. Safety belts help keep
you in position before and during
a crash. Always wear a safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The safety belts and
the front outboard passenger
airbags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat with both feet
on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, see Older Children 071 or
Infants and Young Children 072.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument cluster which
shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag electrical
system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See Airbag Readiness
Light 0104 for more information.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Seats and Restraints 61
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is in the passenger
side instrument panel.
The driver knee airbag (if equipped)
is below the steering column. The
front outboard passenger knee
airbag (if equipped) is below the
glove box.Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
The seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the driver and front
outboard passenger are in the side
of the seatbacks closest to the door.
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and
second row outboard passengers
are in the ceiling above the side
windows.