automatic transmission BUICK ENCLAVE 2018 User Guide

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
Driving and Operating 211
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not
in P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine
has been left running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0205 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0253.
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift
lock release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting out of
P (Park) unless the ignition is on,
the brake pedal is applied, and the
shift lock release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off
the vehicle. The transmission will
shift to P (Park) automatically unless
the vehicle is in N (Neutral). See
“Car Wash Mode” below.
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop
the vehicle and shift into P (Park). To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park
0205 andShifting
out of Park 0206.
SERVICE SHIFTER SEE OWNER’S
MANUAL Message
When this message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the
shift lever needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible. If the vehicle is
automatically shifting into P (Park),
check to see if the P (Park) button
on top of the shift lever is stuck. To
operate the vehicle, hold the shift
lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until
vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h (10 mph), then release the
shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the
speed is too high, the vehicle will
shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the
vehicle speed and try the shift
again.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
212 Driving and Operating
Shifting into R (Reverse) requires
the shift lock release button to be
pressed and held.
To shift into R (Reverse):1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the shift lock release button on the side of
the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward, and
then to the left. R will illuminate
in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the
transmission. See
If the Vehicle Is
Stuck 0196.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to stay
in N (Neutral) for extended periods
of time. It will automatically shift into
P (Park).
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. From the center position, move the shift lever forward. If the
vehicle is in P (Park), press
and hold the shift lock release
button, continue holding it, and
move the shift lever forward. N
will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
214 Driving and Operating
Car Wash Mode (Engine On–
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down. To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back. If the
vehicle is in P (Park) press and
hold the shift lock release
button, continue holding it, and
move the shift lever back. D
will illuminate in red.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0188.Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
Driving and Operating 215
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS)Caution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Manual Mode, could damage the
vehicle. Always upshift when
necessary while using
Manual Mode.
Electronic Range Select (ERS),
or Manual Mode, allows for the
selection of the range of gear positions. Use this mode when
driving downhill or towing a trailer to
limit the top gear and vehicle speed.
The shift position indicator within the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display a number next to the L
indicating the highest available gear.
To enter Electronic Range Select or
Manual Mode:
1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), pull back on the shift lever to
activate L (Low). The L in the
shift pattern will illuminate in
red, and the D will switch to
white.
2. Tap the left steering wheel control to reduce the highest
gear available, or the right
control to increase the highest
gear available.
3. To exit, pull back on the shift lever a second time. The D in
the shift pattern will illuminate
in red, and the L will switch to
white.
When shifting to L (Low), the
transmission will shift to a preset
lower gear range. For this preset range, the highest gear available
will be displayed next to the L in the
DIC. All gears below that number
are available to use. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to
the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth)
gears are shifted automatically. To
shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, tap the right
steering wheel control or shift into D
(Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a
lower gear range if the engine
speed is too high. If the vehicle
speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift
will not be completed. Slow the
vehicle, then tap the left steering
wheel control to the desired lower
gear range.
Cruise control can be used while
in ERS.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
216 Driving and Operating
Tow/Haul Mode
This feature can assist when towing
or hauling a heavy load.
_:Select Tow/Haul Mode with
the switch on the center stack.
When Tow/Haul is activated, there
will be a “Tow/Haul Mode On”
message displayed on the cluster.
See Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0253 andDriver Mode
Control 0222.
Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving downhill.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
pattern that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed. The normal shift
pattern will return once the vehicle
is on a low grade or when the
accelerator pedal is pressed.
While in the Manual Mode, grade
braking is deactivated, allowing the
driver to directly select a range and
limiting the highest gear available.
Grade braking is available for
normal driving and in Tow/
Haul Mode.
See Automatic Transmission 0210.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in AWD Mode.
Press the button to select All-Wheel
Drive (AWD).
The AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed. If the
vehicle is placed in Sport Mode, see
Driver Mode Control 0222.
Sport Mode is canceled with each
ignition cycle. See Driver Mode
Control 0222.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
226 Driving and Operating
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. To turn off cruise control,
press
5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
5is pressed
or the ignition is turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows for selecting
the cruise control set speed and
following gap. Read this entire
section before using this system.
ACC uses a radar sensor to detect
other vehicles. See Radio
Frequency Statement 0365. The
following gap is the following time
(or distance) between your vehicle and a vehicle detected directly
ahead in your path, moving in the
same direction. If no vehicle is
detected in your path, ACC works
like regular cruise control.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can speed up the vehicle or
apply limited, moderate braking to
maintain the selected following gap.
To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If the Traction Control System (TCS)
or StabiliTrak
®electronic stability
control system activates while ACC
is engaged, ACC may automatically
disengage. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0220.
When road conditions allow ACC to
be safely used, ACC can be turned
back on. ACC will not engage if the
TCS or StabiliTrak electronic
stability control system is disabled.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability
and may not have time to slow
the vehicle down enough to avoid
a collision with another vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see“Alerting the Driver” in
this section. Complete attention is
always required while driving and
you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0186.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads
or when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
The system may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Keep the
entire front of the vehicle
clean.
(Continued)

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
Driving and Operating 253
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0327. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0327.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle or
other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive) but
Manual Mode is recommended.
See Manual Mode 0215. Use a
lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often. The Tow/Haul
Mode may be used in both
modes. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 216.
. For vehicles with Sport Mode,
use that mode when towing for
better shifting and weight
management.
. Turn off Parking Assist when
towing.
. Turn off Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
when towing. See Lane Keep
Assist (LKA) 0247. .
Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) when towing. See
Adaptive Cruise Control 0226.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
system should be set to Off
when towing. See Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) 0241.
. The Front Pedestrian Braking
system should be set to Alert or
Off when towing. See Front
Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0243.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
(Continued)

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
256 Driving and Operating
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Thenapply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule 0341.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 276.
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0200.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
Vehicle Care 263
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 264
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 265
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 270
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 272
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 276
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Battery - North America . . . . . . 280
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 281
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 281
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 283
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 285
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 286
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 286
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 314
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 323Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 327

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10999311) - 2018 - crc - 11/20/17
Vehicle Care 271
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:1. Display the REMAINING OIL
LIFE on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 0148 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0150.
2. Press and hold
Von the DIC
while the Oil Life display is
active. The oil life will change
to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible. Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in
Maintenance Schedule
0 341, and be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0349.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0349.
The transmission fluid will not reach
the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating
temperature. If you need to check
the transmission fluid level, please
take the vehicle to your dealer.