towing BUICK ENCORE GX 2020 Owner's Guide

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Vehicle Care 375
Caution (Continued)
tow truck from a flat road surface,
or to move the vehicle a short
distance. Use caution and low
speeds. The transmission must
be in (N) Neutral when moving
the vehicle.
GM recommends a flatbed tow truck
to transport a disabled vehicle. Use
ramps to help reduce approach
angles, if necessary. A towed
vehicle should have its drive wheels
off the ground. Contact Roadside
Assistance or a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle must
be towed.
Front Attachment Points
The vehicle is equipped with
specific attachment points to be
used by the towing provider. These
holes may be used to pull the
vehicle from a flat road surface onto
the flatbed tow truck.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as behind a motor
home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.
What is the towing capacity of
the towing vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
. What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
. Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
376 Vehicle Care
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the
drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not tow the vehicle
with all four wheels on the
ground. The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground.
Dinghy Towing
(All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Only)
To dinghy tow the vehicle from the
front with all four wheels on the
ground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the tow
vehicle.
2. Apply the parking brake.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Vehicle Care 377
3. Put the vehicle into ACC/ACCESSORY by pressing
ENGINE START/STOP one
time without the brake pedal
applied.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral). The chime will ring
continuously for 30 seconds.
Leave the transmission in
N (Neutral).
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery.
See “Negative Battery Cable
Disconnection” underBattery -
North America 0326.
7. Cover the negative battery post with a non-conductive material
to prevent any contact with the
negative battery terminal.
Caution
If 113 km/h (70 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed 113
km/h (70 mph) while towing the
vehicle. To disconnect the towed vehicle:
1. Park on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Make sure that the ignition is off.
4. Remove any tape, glue, or excess material from the
negative battery post.
5. Connect the battery. See “Negative Battery Cable
Reconnection” underBattery -
North America 0326.
6. Disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.
7. Release the parking brake.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not be
towed with two wheels on the
ground.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
378 Vehicle Care
Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles Only)
To tow a front-wheel-drive vehicle
from the front with two wheels on
the ground:1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed for
towing. 5. Turn the vehicle off.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
8. Disconnect the negative
battery cable at the battery.
See “Negative Battery Cable
Disconnection” Battery - North
America 0326.
9. Cover the negative battery post with a non-conductive material
to prevent any contact with the
negative battery terminal.
Towing the Vehicle from
the Rear
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Service and Maintenance 389
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 232.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits. .
Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel 0289.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0305.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Customer Information 411
.Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
. Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Buick dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is not given
when the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, or snow.
. Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
. Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
. Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
event, incidental expenses may be reimbursed within the
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are reasonable
and customary hotel, meals,
rental car, or a vehicle being
delivered back to the customer,
up to 500 miles.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.
Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
. Legal fines.
. Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
Service is not provided if a vehicle
is in an area that is not accessible
to the service vehicle or is not a
regularly traveled or maintained
public road, which includes ice and
winter roads. Off-road use is not
covered.
Services Specific to
Canadian-Purchased Vehicles
. Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is up to 7 liters. Diesel fuel
delivery may be restricted.
Propane and other fuels are not
provided through this service.
. Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
. Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: Must be over
150 km from where your trip was
started to qualify.
Pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy of
the repair orders are required.
Once authorization has been
received, the Roadside
Assistance advisor will help you
make arrangements and explain
how to receive payment.
. Alternative Service: If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give
permission to get local
emergency road service. You will
receive payment, up to $100,

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
414 Customer Information
Aftermarket collision parts are also
available. These are made by
companies other than GM and may
not have been tested for the vehicle.
As a result, these parts may fit
poorly, exhibit premature durability/
corrosion problems, and may not
perform properly in subsequent
collisions. Aftermarket parts are not
covered by the GM New Vehicle
Limited Warranty, and any vehicle
failure related to such parts is not
covered by that warranty.
Repair Facility
GM also recommends that you
choose a collision repair facility that
meets your needs before you ever
need collision repairs. Your dealer
may have a collision repair center
with GM-trained technicians and
state-of-the-art equipment, or be
able to recommend a collision repair
center that has GM-trained
technicians and comparable
equipment.
Insuring the Vehicle
Protect your investment in the GM
vehicle with comprehensive and
collision insurance coverage. There
are significant differences in the
quality of coverage afforded by
various insurance policy terms.
Many insurance policies provide
reduced protection to the GM
vehicle by limiting compensation for
damage repairs through the use of
aftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will not
specify aftermarket collision parts.
When purchasing insurance, we
recommend that you ensure that the
vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts.
If such insurance coverage is not
available from your current
insurance carrier, consider switching
to another insurance carrier.
If the vehicle is leased, the leasing
company may require you to have
insurance that ensures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) parts or
Genuine Manufacturer replacementparts. Read the lease carefully, as
you may be charged at the end of
the lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help. Do not
leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of.
Move the vehicle only if its position
puts you in danger, or you are
instructed to move it by a police
officer.
Give only the necessary information
to police and other parties involved
in the crash.
For emergency towing see
Roadside Assistance Program
0
410.
Gather the following information:
. Driver name, address, and
telephone number
. Driver license number
. Owner name, address, and
telephone number
. Vehicle license plate number

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
432 Index
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 413
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 419
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 418
Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 428
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Door Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 405
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 250, 327
Driver Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 270 Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 127
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 278
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 225
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 230
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 232
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 252
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 118
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 338
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 308
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 247
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Index 433
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 314
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 418
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 143
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
F
Filter,Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 146
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 314
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 225
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 122
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 338
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Fuses (cont'd)
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 140Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 388
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Index 437
Problems with RouteGuidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 412
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .304, 326, 372,
Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
R
Radio
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . 159
Radio Data System (RDS) . . . . . . 160
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 416
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Rear Compartment/Storage Panel Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 271 Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 100
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Recognition Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Recommended
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Records
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 375
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 72
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Replacing Seat Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 417 Reporting Safety Defects (cont'd)
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 405
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
S
Safety Defects ReportingCanadian Government . . . . . . . . 417
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160