check engine light BUICK ENCORE 2020 User Guide

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
108 Instruments and Controls
Caution (Continued)
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition is turned
on as a check to indicate it is
working. If it does not come on,
have it fixed.
The low fuel warning light comes on
and a chime sounds periodically
when the vehicle is low on fuel. The
light turns off when fuel is added to
the fuel tank.
Immobilizer Light
The immobilizer light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the immobilizer
system. SeeImmobilizer Operation
0 21.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0123.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Driving and Operating 163
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
If equipped, this feature transfers
engine power, as required, to all
four wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle,
the system automatically detects the
compact spare and disables AWD to
protect the system. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display on the instrument
cluster. SeeVehicle Messages
0 112. To restore AWD operation
and prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare
with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire
0 244.
AWD will be disabled and the
message will display if there is
excessive wheel spin. When the
system cools down, AWD will be
restored.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 105. ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing or feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
184 Driving and Operating
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, get
the right type of cap from your
dealer. The wrong type of fuel cap
may not fit properly, may turn on
the malfunction indicator lamp,
and could damage the fuel
system and emissions system.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light - Capless)
0 101 or
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light - Capped)
0 103.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You or others could be
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. To help avoid
injury to you and others:
. Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
. Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, in a pickup
bed, or on any surface other
than the ground.
. Bring the fill nozzle in
contact with the inside of
the fill opening before
operating the nozzle.
Maintain contact until filling
is complete.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not use electronic
devices while pumping fuel.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
{Warning
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle. It was not designed or
intended to tow a trailer.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Driving and Operating 185
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light -
Capless) 0101 or
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light - Capped)
0 103. A device connected to the
DLC —such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 060 and
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 061.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
186 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 187
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 188
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 194
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 196
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 200
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Battery - North America . . . . . . 204
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 204
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 205
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 206
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 207
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 208
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . 209
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 212
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 212
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 213
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 222
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Vehicle Care 203
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0191 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
. Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up. .
A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system. When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See
Brake System Warning
Light 0105.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0263.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0272.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Service and Maintenance 269
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required.
It is recommended that your dealer
perform these services—their
trained dealer technicians know
your vehicle best. Your dealer can
also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point
inspection to recommend when your
vehicle may need attention.
The following list is intended to
explain the services and conditions
to look for that may indicate
services are required. Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power
to start the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.
To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.
Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0272 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
302 Index
IndexA
About Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 2
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 185
Additional Information
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 196
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 130, 132
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 56
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 52
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 100
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 176
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 204
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 163 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Armrest Front Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Index 303
AutomaticDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
B
BatteryExterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Battery - North America . . . . 204, 245
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 206
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 105
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 151
Bulb Replacement Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 212
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 210
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .187, 204, 245, Back Cover
Camera
Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Carbon Monoxide (cont'd)
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Management System . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 84
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 101
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 103
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 64
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 80
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 130
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Index 305
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
E
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 213
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Check Light(Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 103
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 191
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 98
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Engine (cont'd)
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 159
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 291
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 125
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 195
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Fluid (cont'd)
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Fog Lamps Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 140
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . 181, 182
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 108
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179