warning light BUICK ENCORE 2021 User Guide

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
64 Seats and Restraints
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the Front Seat)
This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a
safer place to secure a forward-facing child
restraint. SeeWhere to Put the Restraint
0 53.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger
sensing system which is designed to turn off
the front outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. See Passenger Sensing System
0 44 and
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator 080 for
more information, including important
safety information.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in the
front. This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great if the airbag
deploys.
{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
inflates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
close to the inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag inflates
and the passenger seat is in a forward
position.
Even if the passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard passenger
airbag(s), no system is fail-safe. No one
can guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual circumstance,
even though the airbag(s) are off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints in a
rear seat, even if the airbag(s) are off.
If you secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far back as
it will go. It is better to secure the child
restraint in a rear seat.
SeePassenger Sensing System 044 for
additional information.
If the child restraint uses a top tether, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) 054 for top tether anchor
locations. Do not secure a child seat in a position
without a top tether anchor if a national or
local law requires that the top tether be
anchored, or if the instructions that come
with the child restraint say that the top
tether must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have a top
tether, and that the tether be attached.
When using the lap-shoulder belt to secure
the child restraint in this position, follow the
instructions that came with the child
restraint and the following instructions:
1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child
restraint. Move the seat upward or the
seatback to an upright position,
if needed, to get a tight installation of
the child restraint.
When the passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag (if
equipped), the OFF indicator on the
passenger airbag status indicator should
light and stay lit when you start the
vehicle. See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 080.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Instruments and Controls 71
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 78
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . 80
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . 83
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Immobilizer Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . 86
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization (8 Inch Screen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Vehicle Personalization (7 Inch Screen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Lift the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Instruments and Controls 75
Clock
Set the time and date using the
infotainment system. See "Time / Date"
underSettings (8 Inch Screen) 0129 or
Settings (7 Inch Screen) 0154.
Power Outlets
Power Outlet 110/120-Volt Alternating
Current
If equipped, this power outlet is on the rear
of the center console. It can be used to plug
in electrical equipment that uses a
maximum limit of 150 watts.
An indicator light on the outlet turns on to
show it is in use. The light comes on when
the ignition is on and equipment requiring
less than 150 watts is plugged into the
outlet, and no system fault is detected.
The indicator light does not come on when
the ignition is off or if the equipment is not
fully seated into the outlet.
If equipment is connected using more than
150 watts or a system fault is detected, a
protection circuit shuts off the power supply
and the indicator light turns off. To reset
the circuit, unplug the item and plug it back
in or turn the Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) off and then back on. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0178. The power
restarts when equipment using 150 watts or
less is plugged into the outlet and a system
fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for and
may not work properly, if any of the
following are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial peak wattage,
such as compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools
.Other equipment requiring an extremely
stable power supply, such as
microcomputer-controlled electric blankets
and touch sensor lamps
.Medical equipment
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes
serious enough to cause an expensive repair
or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could prevent
injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly when
the engine is started to indicate they are
working. When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while driving,
or when one of the gauges shows there
may be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do repairs
can be costly and even dangerous.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Instruments and Controls 77
.Navigation
.Options
Navigation
Press SET/CLR to select the Navigation app.
Use
\to highlight available options.
If there is no active route, you can resume
the last route and turn the voice prompts
on/off. If there is an active route, press SET/
CLR to cancel route guidance or turn the
voice prompts on/off.
Options
Press SET/CLR to select the Options app. Use
\to scroll through the items in the
Options menu.
Unit : Press SET/CLR while Unit is displayed
to enter the Units menu. Choose U.S. or
metric units by pressing SET/CLR while the
desired item is highlighted.
Info Pages : Press SET/CLR while Info Pages
is displayed to enter the Info Pages menu.
Press SET/CLR to edit the list of info apps
displayed. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 086.
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in
kilometers per hour (km/h) and miles per
hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has
been driven, in either kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven since the trip
odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and reset
through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Driver Information Center (DIC) 086.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
When the engine is on, the tachometer will
indicate the engine’s revolutions per minute
(rpm). The tachometer may vary by several
hundred rpm’s, during Auto Stop mode,
when the engine is shutting off and
restarting.
Caution
If the engine is operated with the rpm in
the warning area at the high end of the
tachometer, the vehicle could be
damaged, and the damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the rpm in the
warning area.
Fuel Gauge
Metric

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
78 Instruments and Controls
English
When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge
indicates about how much fuel is left in
the tank.
There is an arrow near the fuel gauge
pointing to the side of the vehicle the fuel
door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the low
fuel light comes on. There still is a little fuel
left, but the vehicle should be refueled soon.
Here are three things that some owners ask
about. None of these show a problem with
the fuel gauge:
.It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up
than the gauge indicated. For example,
the gauge indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while turning a
corner or speeding up.
.The gauge takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is turned on,
and goes back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the pointer moves toward the warning
area at the high end of the gauge, the
engine is too hot.
This reading indicates the same thing as the
warning light. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the vehicle has
been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as
possible. See Engine Overheating 0215.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Instruments and Controls 79
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder light on
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
the driver to fasten the seat belt. Then the
light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several times if the
driver remains or becomes unbuckled while
the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light comes on.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have a front passenger seat
belt reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
in front of passenger to fasten the seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle may continue several
times if the passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the passenger seat belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger seat belt reminder light
and chime may turn on if an object is put
on the seat such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic
device. To turn off the reminder light and/or
chime, remove the object from the seat or
buckle the seat belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an electrical
problem with the airbag system. It is
located in the instrument cluster. The
system check includes the airbag sensor(s),
the passenger sensing system (if equipped),the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring, and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag
system, see
Airbag System 038.
The airbag readiness light comes on for
several seconds when the vehicle is started.
If the light does not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes on
while driving, it means the airbag system
might not be working properly. The
airbags in the vehicle might not inflate in
a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury,
have the vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may also come on.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
80 Instruments and Controls
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System 044 for
important safety information. The
instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
United States
Canada
When the vehicle is started, the passenger
airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
or the symbol for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after
several seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or the on or off symbol to let you know the status of the
front outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag (if equipped).
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag (if equipped)
are allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing system
has turned off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and passenger knee airbag (if
equipped).
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there are no
lights at all, there may be a problem with
the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have the vehicle serviced right
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light 079
for more information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned on, but the
engine is not running, as a check to show
the light is working. It should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with the
electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is flashing, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) also displays
a message. If a short distance must be

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
82 Instruments and Controls
.If equipped with capped fuel fill: A loose
or missing fuel cap may cause the light
to come on. SeeFilling the Tank (Capless
Fuel Fill) 0197 or
Filling the Tank (Capped Fuel Fill) 0198.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed may turn the light off.
.Poor fuel quality can cause inefficient
engine operation and poor drivability,
which may go away once the engine is
warmed up. If this occurs, change the fuel
brand. It may require at least one full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light
off. See Recommended Fuel 0196.
If the light remains on, see your dealer.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the test
equipment will likely connect to the
vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. Connecting
devices that are not used to perform an
Emissions Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect vehicle
operation. See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 200. See your dealer if assistance is
needed.
The vehicle may not pass inspection if:
.The light is on when the engine is
running.
.The light does not come on when the
ignition is in Service Mode.
.Critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed. If this
happens, the vehicle would not be ready
for inspection and might require
several days of routine driving before the
system is ready for inspection. This can
happen if the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if the
vehicle has been recently serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will not pass
or cannot be made ready for the test.
Brake System Warning Light
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
When the vehicle is on, the brake system
warning light also comes on when the
parking brake is set. The light stays on if
the parking brake does not fully release. If it
stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. The brake pedal
might be harder to push, or the brake pedal
may go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. See Towing
the Vehicle 0255.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Instruments and Controls 83
{Warning
The brake system might not be working
properly if the brake system warning
light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a crash.
If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This warning light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. If the light
does not come on, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving, safely
stop as soon as it is possible and turn off
the vehicle. Then turn on the vehicle again
to reset the system.If the ABS warning light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. A chime may also sound when the
light stays on.
If the ABS warning light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but ABS is
not functioning.
If both the ABS warning light and the brake
system warning light are on, ABS is not
functioning and there is a problem with the
regular brakes. See your dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light 082.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Light
This light is green if LDW is on and ready to
operate.
This light changes to amber and flashes to
indicate that the lane marking has been
crossed without using a turn signal in that
direction. See
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) 0195.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will display green
when a vehicle is detected ahead.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 192.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while starting
the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the system is
working normally, the indicator light then
turns off.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
84 Instruments and Controls
The traction off light comes on when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has been
turned off by pressing and releasing the
TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC button.
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC OFF light
come on when StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) is turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not limited.
Adjust driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0185.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while starting
the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
This light comes on when the StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
turned off. If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the
Traction Control System (TCS) is also off. If StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling the
vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak/
ESC systems, and the warning light
turns off.
See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0185.
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light
The StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) or Traction Control System (TCS)
indicator/warning light comes on briefly
when the engine is started.
If the light 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 is on and not flashing, the TCS,
and potentially the StabiliTrak/ESC system
have been disabled. If the indicator/warning light is on and
flashing, the TCS and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC
system is actively working.
See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0185.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this light comes on briefly
when the engine is started. It provides
information about tire pressures and
the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires
are significantly underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire
pressure message may also display. Stop as
soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tire Pressure
0 238.