Brake BUICK ENCORE 2019 Owner's Guide

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Driving and Operating 173
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0172.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the
brake pedal down. Then see if you
can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pressing the
button on the shift lever. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and do
not shift the transmission into
P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called torque lock. To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park) properly
before you leave the driver seat. To
find out how, see
“Shifting Into Park”
previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, so you can pull
the shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with a shift
lock control. The shift lock control is
designed to prevent movement of
the shift lever out of P (Park) unless
the ignition is on and the brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock control is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0264.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
174 Driving and Operating
If still unable to shift out of P (Park):1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If the shift lever still cannot be
moved from P (Park), see “Shift
Lock Manual Release” following.
Shift Lock Manual Release
The automatic transmission has an
electric park lock. The ignition must
be on and the brake pedal must be
pressed so the shift lever can be
moved from the P (Park) position.
If the battery has lost power, the
shift lever cannot be moved from
P (Park) unless the shift lock manual
release is disengaged manually.
To access the shift lock manual
release:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Hold the brake pedal down. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the cover on the
console.
4. Insert and push the key intothe slot. 5. Move the shift lever out of
P (Park). If P (Park) is selected
again after the key is removed
from the slot, the shift lever will
be locked again.
6. Remove the key from the slot.
7. Close the cover.
8. Have the cause of the problem fixed by your dealer.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left running,
be sure it will not move and there is
adequate ventilation.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
176 Driving and Operating
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park 0172 and
Engine Exhaust 0175.
Automatic
Transmission
The selected gear is also shown in
the instrument cluster.
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 shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0172.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The regular brake must be
fully applied first and then the shift
lever button must be pressed before
shifting from P (Park) when the
ignition is on. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever, then push the shift lever

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Driving and Operating 177
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. SeeShifting out of Park 0173.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
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 0162.
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
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.
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.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
M : This position allows shifting
similar to a manual transmission.
See Manual Mode 0178.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Driving and Operating 179
.The transmission will not allow
shifting to the next lower gear if
the vehicle speed or engine rpm
is too high.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. See Vehicle Messages
0 129. 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
0 263.
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)
Antilock Brake System (ABS) (if
equipped) is an advanced electronic
braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
might be heard while this test is
going on, and it might even be
noticed that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with the ABS,
this warning light stays on. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light 0121.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
180 Driving and Operating
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light 0120.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the
release button in as you move the
brake lever all the way down.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Brake Assist
If equipped, Brake Assist is
designed to assist in stopping or
decreasing vehicle speed in
emergency driving conditions. This

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Driving and Operating 181
feature uses the stability system
hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system
under conditions where the driver
has quickly and forcefully applied
the brake pedal in an attempt to
quickly stop or slow down the
vehicle. The stability system
hydraulic brake control module
increases brake pressure at each
corner of the vehicle until the ABS
activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsation or pedal movement during
this time is normal and the driver
should continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates. The brake assist feature
will automatically disengage when
the brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.Hill Start Assist (HSA)
If equipped, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
may be useful when the vehicle is
stopped on a grade. This feature is
designed to prevent the vehicle from
rolling, either forward or rearward,
during vehicle drive off. After the
driver completely stops and holds
the vehicle in a complete standstill
on a grade, HSA will be
automatically activated. During the
transition period between when the
driver releases the brake pedal and
starts to accelerate to drive off on a
grade, HSA holds the braking
pressure to ensure that there is no
rolling. The brakes will automatically
release when the accelerator pedal
is applied within the two-second
window. It will not activate if the
vehicle is in a drive gear and facing
downhill, or if the vehicle is facing
uphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel slip and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
182 Driving and Operating
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise
control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0162
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Driving and Operating 183
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
The appropriate message may
display in the DIC.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. The
appropriate message may display in
the DIC. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 203.
Cruise Control
The cruise control lets the vehicle
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) or StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system that begins to limit wheel
spin while using cruise control and
the cruise control will automatically

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
184 Driving and Operating
disengage. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0181.
If a collision alert occurs when
cruise control is activated, cruise
control is disengaged. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0191.
When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, cruise control
can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
o: Press to turn the cruise control
system on or off. A white indicator
comes in the instrument cluster
when cruise is turned on. RES/+ :
If there is a set speed in
memory, move the thumbwheel up
briefly to resume to that speed or
hold upward to accelerate. If cruise
control is already active, use to
increase vehicle speed.
SET/− :Move the thumbwheel down
briefly to set the speed and activate
cruise control. If cruise control is
already active, use to decrease
speed.
n: Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If
ois on when not in use, SET/−
or RES/+ could get bumped and
go into cruise when not desired.
Keep
ooff when cruise control is
not being used.
To set a speed:
1. Press
oto turn cruise
control on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel down toward SET/− and release it. 4. Remove your foot from the
accelerator.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after
cruise control has been set to the
desired speed. See Instrument
Cluster 0111.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or
nis pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed is about
40 km/h (25 mph) or greater, move
the thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previously set speed.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
. Move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.