ECU BUICK ENCORE GX 2021 Owner's Manual

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . 7
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) SystemOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Doors
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . 27
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
dangerous and children or others could
be seriously injured or killed. They could
operate the power windows or other
controls or make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the RKE
transmitter in the vehicle, and children or
others could be caught in the path of a
closing window. Do not leave children in
a vehicle with an RKE transmitter.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
6. Put the key back into the transmitter.
7. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. SeeDoor Locks 015.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized transmitters are
not available, follow this procedure to
program up to eight transmitters. This
feature is not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must
be off and all of the transmitters you wish
to program must be with you. 1. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle. See Door Locks015.
Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter
into the key lock cylinder on the driver
door handle and turn the key,
counterclockwise, to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO
LEARN and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC display will again show REMOTE
LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT. 3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After
the third time all previously known
transmitters will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters can be
relearned during the next steps.
The DIC display should now show READY
FOR REMOTE # 1.
4. Place the new transmitter in transmitterpocket.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter. 6. Remove the transmitter from the
transmitter pocket and press the
transmitter
KorQbutton.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
7. Put the key back into the transmitter.
8. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 015.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
For improved vehicle security, the RKE
transmitter is equipped with a motion
sensor. When starting the vehicle, if the
transmitter has been idle for a while, move
the transmitter slightly and try starting the
vehicle. When starting the vehicle, if the
transmitter battery is depleted or there is
signal interference, the DIC may display NO
REMOTE DETECTED, REPLACE BATTERY IN KEY,
or NO REMOTE DETECTED PLACE KEY IN KEY
POCKET THEN START YOUR VEHICLE, follow
the steps shown below.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To replace the cap:1. Position the bottom edge of the cap under the lower edge of the metal
piece (2). The tabs (3) attach to the
metal piece (2) at the positions (1).
2. Rotate the cap upward and install into place.
3. Check that the cap is secure.
Free-Turning Locks
The door key lock cylinder turns freely when
either the wrong key is used, or the correct
key is not fully inserted. The free-turning
door lock feature prevents the lock from
being forced open. To reset the lock, turn it
to the vertical position with the correct key
fully inserted. Remove the key and insert it
again. If this does not reset the lock, turn
the key halfway around in the cylinder and
repeat the reset procedure.
Power Door Locks
Q: Press to lock the doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the locking of the doors
until five seconds after all doors are closed.
Delayed locking can only be turned on when
the Open Door Anti-Lockout feature has
been turned off.
When
Qis pressed on the power door lock
switch while the door is open, a chime will
sound three times indicating delayed locking
is active.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 19
Use the pull cup to lower and close the
liftgate. Do not press the touch pad while
closing the liftgate. This may cause the
liftgate to be unlatched.
The liftgate has an electric latch. If the
battery is disconnected or has low voltage,
the liftgate will not open. The liftgate will
resume operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
Always close the liftgate before driving.
Power Liftgate Operation
{Warning
You or others could be injured if caught
in the path of the power liftgate. Make
sure there is no one in the way of the
liftgate as it is opening and closing.
Caution
Driving with an open and unsecured
liftgate may result in damage to the
power liftgate components.
If equipped, the power liftgate switch is on
the driver door. The vehicle must be in
P (Park).
The modes are:
.MAX: Opens to maximum height.
.3/4: Opens to a reduced height that can
be set from 3/4 to fully open. Use to
prevent the liftgate from opening into
overhead obstructions such as a garage
door or roof-mounted cargo. The liftgate
can be manually opened all the way.
.OFF: Opens manually only.
To power open or close the liftgate, select
MAX or 3/4 mode.
.Pressbtwice quickly on the RKE
transmitter until the liftgate moves.
.Press8on the driver door. The driver
door must either be unlocked or locked
without the security armed.
.Press the touch pad on the underside of
the liftgate handle after unlocking all
doors. A locked vehicle can be opened if
the RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of
the touch pad.
.Presslon the bottom edge of the
liftgate to the left of the latch to close.
Press any liftgate button, the touch pad,
or
bon the RKE transmitter while the
liftgate is moving to stop it. Pressing any
liftgate button or pressing
btwice quickly
on the RKE transmitter restarts the
operation in the reverse direction. Pressing

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
24 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Lens Cleaning
If equipped, use a cotton swab to clean
the lens.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features;
however, they do not make the vehicle
impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm system.
The indicator light on the instrument panel
near the windshield indicates the status of
the system.
Off :Alarm system is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured during the
delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured. A door, the
hood, or the liftgate is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the liftgate and the hood. Turn off
the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
.Use the Keyless Access system.
.With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the alarm system
is operating. Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will bypass
the 30-second delay and immediately
arm the alarm system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the
doors are locked with the key.
If the driver door is opened without first
unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn
will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started,
or the door is not unlocked by pressing
K
on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated.
The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger door, the liftgate, or the hood is
opened without first disarming the system.
When the alarm is activated, the turn
signals flash and the horn sounds for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will then
re-arm to monitor for the next unauthorized
event.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn off the
alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle using the Keyless
Access system.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter or use the Keyless Access
system.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn chirps and the
lights flash three times, the alarm was
activated while the alarm system was
armed.
If the alarm system has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0347.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent
system.
The system does not have to be manually
armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically immobilized
when the vehicle is turned off.
The immobilization system is disarmed
when the ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and a valid transmitter is
present in the vehicle.
The security light in the instrument cluster
comes on if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more RKE
transmitters matched to an immobilizer
control unit in the vehicle. Only a correctly
matched RKE transmitter will start the
vehicle. If the transmitter is ever damaged,
the vehicle may not start. When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light may come on briefly when the
ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the security
light stays on, there is a problem with the
system. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the vehicle will not change ignition
modes, and the RKE transmitter appears to
be undamaged, try another transmitter. Or,
try placing the transmitter into the
transmitter pocket located in the center
console. See Starting the Vehicle With a Low
Transmitter Battery under
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
If the ignition mode will not change with
the other transmitter or with a transmitter
in the transmitter pocket, your vehicle needs
service. If the ignition does change modes,
the first transmitter may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the theft-deterrent
system and have a new RKE transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
It is possible for the immobilizer system to
learn new or replacement RKE transmitters.
Up to eight transmitters can be
programmed for the vehicle. To program
additional transmitters, see Programming
Transmitters to the Vehicle under Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Seats and Restraints 33
Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Seat Belts
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . 44
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 48
Seat Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Seat Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 53
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . 54
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . 54
What Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Front Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Head Restraints
{
Warning
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly, there is a
greater chance that occupants will suffer
a neck/spinal injury in a crash. Do not
drive until the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and adjusted
properly.
Front Seats
The vehicle's front seats have adjustable
head restraints in the outboard seating
positions.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 41
The heated seats will not turn on during a
remote start unless the heated seat feature
is enabled in the vehicle
personalization menu.
SeeRemote Vehicle Start 013 and
Vehicle Personalization 0114.
Folding Seatback
The front passenger seatback may fold flat.
{Warning
If you fold the seatback forward to carry
longer objects, such as skis, be sure any
such cargo is not near an airbag. In a
crash, an inflating airbag might force that
object toward a person. This could cause
severe injury or even death. Secure
objects away from the area in which an
airbag would inflate. Where Are the
Airbags? 051. Vehicle Load Limits 0193.
{Warning
Things you put on this seatback can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash. Remove or secure
all items before driving. To fold the seatback:
1. Lower the head restraint all the way. See Head Restraints 033
2. Move the seat as far back as possible. See Seat Adjustment 035 or
Power Seat Adjustment 035
3. Lift the lever fully and fold the seatback
forward. If necessary, move the seat belt
out of the way to access the lever.
4. Continue lowering the seatback until it is completely folded and locks in place.
To raise the seatback: 1. Lift the lever fully to unlock the seatback. Then, raise the seatback and
push it rearward until it re-engages. 2. Push and pull on the seatback to make
sure it is locked in place.
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could
move forward in a sudden stop or crash.
That could cause injury to the person
sitting there. Always push and pull on
the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Reminder
If equipped, the message REAR SEAT
REMINDER LOOK IN REAR SEAT displays
under certain conditions indicating there
may be an item or passenger in the rear
seat. Check before exiting the vehicle.
This feature will activate when a rear door is
opened while the vehicle is on or up to
10 minutes before the vehicle is turned on.
There will be an alert when the vehicle is
turned off. The alert does not directly detect
objects in the rear seat; instead, under
certain conditions, it detects when a rear
door is opened and closed, indicating that
there may be something in the rear seat.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Seats and Restraints 47
3. Push the latch plate into the buckle untilit clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure
it is secure. If the belt is not long
enough, see Seat Belt Extender 049.
Position the release button on the buckle
so that the seat belt could be quickly
unbuckled if necessary.4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is
right for you. See “Shoulder Belt Height
Adjuster” later in this section for
instructions on use and important safety
information.
5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt.
It may be necessary to pull stitching on the
seat belt through the latch plate to fully
tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants.To unlatch the belt, push the button on the
buckle. The belt should return to its stowed
position.
Always stow the seat belt slowly. If the seat
belt webbing returns quickly to the stowed
position, the retractor may lock and cannot
be pulled out. If this happens, pull the seat
belt straight out firmly to unlock the
webbing, and then release it. If the webbing
is still locked in the retractor, see your
dealer.
Before a door is closed, be sure the seat belt
is out of the way. If a door is slammed
against a seat belt, damage can occur to
both the seat belt and the vehicle.

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Seats and Restraints 49
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should
be worn as low as possible, below the
rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a seat belt is
worn properly, it is more likely that the
fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to
making seat belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Seat Belt Extender
If the vehicle's seat belt will fasten around
you, you should use it.But if a seat belt is not long enough, your
dealer will order you an extender. When
you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat
you will wear, so the extender will be long
enough for you. To help avoid personal
injury, do not let someone else use it, and
use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The
extender has been designed for adults.
Never use it for securing child restraints. For
more information on the proper use and fit
of seat belt extenders see the instruction
sheet that comes with the extender.
Safety System Check
Periodically check the seat belt reminder,
seat belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors,
shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped),
and seat belt anchorages to make sure they
are all in working order. Look for any other
loose or damaged seat belt system parts
that might keep a seat belt system from
performing properly. See your dealer to
have it repaired. Torn, frayed, or twisted
seat belts may not protect you in a crash.
Torn or frayed seat belts can rip apart under
impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed,
have it replaced immediately. If a belt is
twisted, it may be possible to untwist by
reversing the latch plate on the webbing.
If the twist cannot be corrected, ask your
dealer to fix it.
Make sure the seat belt reminder light is
working. See
Seat Belt Reminders 095.
Keep seat belts clean and dry. See Seat Belt
Care 049.
Seat Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
Seat belts should be properly cared for and
maintained.
Seat belt hardware should be kept dry and
free of dust or debris. As necessary, exterior
hard surfaces and seat belt webbing may be
lightly cleaned with mild soap and water.
Ensure there is not excessive dust or debris
in the mechanism. If dust or debris exists in
the system please see the dealer. Parts may
need to be replaced to ensure proper
functionality of the system.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt webbing.
It may severely weaken the webbing. In
a crash, they might not be able to
(Continued)