check transmission fluid BUICK ENCORE 2015 Owner's Manual

Black plate (7,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Driving and Operating 9-7
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10-35.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32°
F) when freezing rain begins to fall,
resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated with salt
or sand.

Black plate (1,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-2
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-15
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18 Battery - North America . . . . 10-20
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-20
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-21
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-26
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-38
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Pressure Monitor
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52

Black plate (10,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
10-10 Vehicle Care
SeeVehicle Messages on
page 5-25. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving
under 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. Press the MENU button to show
Remaining Oil Life on the
display. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining
useful life. If 99% is displayed,
that means that 99% of the
current oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil life system, press the SET/CLR
button while the oil life display is
active. After a few seconds,
there will be a single chime and
the oil life will be reset to 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is changed.
It cannot be reset accurately. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
DIC message comes back on when
the vehicle is started, the engine oil
life system has not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check 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 your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer.

Black plate (64,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
10-64 Vehicle Care
The jump start positive terminal on
the discharged battery (2) is located
in the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle.
The jump start positive terminal (3)
and negative terminal (4) are on the
battery of the vehicle providing the
jump start.
The positive jump start connection
for the discharged battery is under a
trim cover. Open the cover to
expose the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It musthave a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
{Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting. 2. Position the two vehicles so that
they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in P (Park)
with an automatic transmission,
or Neutral with a manual
transmission.
{Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. Turn off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.

Black plate (7,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Service and Maintenance 11-7
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Change automatic transmission fluid.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)@@@
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
replacement may be needed if the
vehicle is driven in areas with heavy
traffic, areas with poor air quality, or areas with high dust levels.
Replacement may also be needed if
there is a reduction in air flow,
excessive window fogging, or odors.
(2)
Check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper hook-up,
routing, and condition. (3)
Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(4) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System on
page 10-12.

Black plate (1,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
INDEX i-1
A
About Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . iv
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Additional Information OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-11
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-25
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-12
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 9-36
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 9-25, 10-20
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73 Armrest
Front Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
B
BatteryPower Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-20, 10-62
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-22
Brake
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-16

Black plate (2,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
i-2 INDEX
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-26
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . 10-2, 10-20, 10-62
Camera
Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Management System . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Cautions, Danger, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-3
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-13
Check Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Ignition
Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-21 Child Restraints
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-50, 3-53
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . 13-8
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-4

Black plate (4,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
i-4 INDEX
E
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Electrical System Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-26
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3 Engine (cont'd)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-22
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-14
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . .10-11
First Aid Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-3
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57 Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-10
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Fog Lamps Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42