light BUICK ENCORE GX 2021 Owner's Manual

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 1/28/21
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Introduction
The names, logos, emblems, slogans, vehicle
model names, and vehicle body designs
appearing in this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo, BUICK, the
BUICK Emblem, and ENCORE GX are
trademarks and/or service marks of General
Motors LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute
the name“General Motors of Canada
Company” for Buick Motor Division wherever
it appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or
may not be on the vehicle because of
optional equipment that was not purchased
on the vehicle, model variants, country
specifications, features/applications that may not be available in your region, or changes
subsequent to the printing of this owner’s
manual.
Refer to the purchase documentation
relating to your specific vehicle to confirm
the features.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick
reference.Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be obtained
from your dealer, at www.helminc.com,
or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide
en français auprès du concessionnaire ou à
l'adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 84588301 C Third Printing©2021 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
2 Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about the
vehicle, use the Index in the back of the
manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is
in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
About Driving the Vehicle
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control or a crash. Be sure to read
the driving guidelines in this manual in the
section called“Driving and Operating” and
specifically Driver Behavior 0187, Driving
Environment 0187, and Vehicle Design
0 187.
Danger, Warning, and Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle labels
and in this manual describe hazards and
what to do to avoid or reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a high
level of risk which will result in serious
injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that could
result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that could
result in property or vehicle damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a safety
symbol which means “Do not,” “Do not do
this,” or“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that
use symbols instead of text. Symbols are
shown along with the text describing the
operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gauge,
or indicator.
M:Shown when the owner’s manual has
additional instructions or information.
*: Shown when the service manual has
additional instructions or information.
0: Shown when there is more information
on another page — “see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may
be found on the vehicle and what they
mean. See the features in this manual for
information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components Properly
P:Do Not Apply High Pressure Water
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H: Flammable

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Introduction 5
1.Air Vents 0184.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0124.
IntelliBeam System Button (If Equipped).
See Exterior Lamp Controls 0121.
3. Instrument Cluster 090.
Driver Information Center (DIC) Display.
See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0104 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 107.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer 083.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic Headlamp
System 0123.
Anti-Theft Alarm System. See Vehicle
Alarm System 024.
6. Hazard Warning Flashers 0124.
7. Infotainment Controls. See Overview
0 129.
8. Climate Control Systems 0180.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
0 182.
Heated Front Seats 040. (If Equipped).
9. Power Outlets 086.
10. Wireless Charging 087 (If Equipped). 11. Auto Stop Disable Switch. See
Stop/Start
System 0198.
All-Wheel Drive Button (If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0237 (If
Equipped).
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0210.
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing
0 224 (If Equipped).
12. Electric Parking Brake 0209.
13. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission
0 205.
14. USB Port 0137.
Auxiliary Jack 0139.
15. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Ignition
Positions 0196.
16. Steering Wheel Controls 083.
17. Horn 083.
18. Steering Wheel Adjustment 083 (Out
of View).
19. Cruise Control 0212.
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) 0214
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 083 (If
Equipped). Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0
229 (If Equipped).
20. Head-Up Display Controls (HUD) (If Equipped). See Head-Up Display (HUD)
0 109.
21. Hood Release. See Hood0253.
22. Exterior Lamp Controls 0121.

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8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Q:Press to lock all doors. The turn signal
indicators may flash and/or the horn may
sound on the second press to indicate
locking. See Vehicle Personalization 0114.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, and Open Door Anti Lock Out is
enabled through vehicle personalization, all
doors will lock and then the driver door will
immediately unlock. See Vehicle
Personalization 0114. If the passenger door
is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the theft-deterrent
system. See Vehicle Alarm System 024.
K:Press to unlock the driver door. Press
unlock again within five seconds to unlock
all doors. The RKE transmitter can be
programmed to unlock all doors on the first
button press. See Vehicle Personalization
0 114. When remotely unlocking the vehicle
at night the back-up lamps will come on for
about 30 seconds to light your approach to
the vehicle. The turn signal indicators may
flash to indicate unlocking. See Vehicle
Personalization 0114.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the theft-deterrent
system. See Vehicle Alarm System 024.
/:Press and releaseQand then
immediately press and hold
/for at least
four seconds to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Vehicle Start 013.
7:Press and release one time to initiate
vehicle locator. The exterior lamps flash and
the horn chirps three times. Press and hold
7for three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the turn signal
lamps flash for 30 seconds, or until
7is
pressed again or the vehicle is started.
b: Press twice quickly to open or close
the liftgate.
Press once to stop the liftgate from moving.
Keyless Access Operation
With the Keyless Access system, you can
lock and unlock the doors and access the
liftgate without removing the RKE
transmitter from your pocket, purse,
briefcase, etc. The RKE transmitter should be
within 1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate or door being
opened. The buttons are on the outside door
handles. Keyless Access can be programmed to
unlock all doors on the first lock/unlock
press from the driver door. See
Vehicle
Personalization 0114.
If equipped with memory seats, RKE
transmitters 1 and 2 are linked to seating
positions of memory 1 or 2. See Memory
Seats 038.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from the
Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the driver
door handle, pressing the lock/unlock button
on the driver door handle will unlock the
driver door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds, all
passenger doors will unlock.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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.

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14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Starting the Engine Using Remote Start
To start the vehicle:1. Press and release
Qon the RKE
transmitter.
2. Immediately after completing Step 1, press and hold
/until the turn signal
lamps flash. If the vehicle's lights cannot
be seen, press and hold
/for at least
four seconds.
When the vehicle starts, the park lamps will
turn on and remain on as long as the
engine is running. The doors will be locked
and the climate control system will operate
automatically if the vehicle has the
automatic system, or at the same setting as
when the vehicle was last turned off.
With an automatic climate control system
and if equipped with heated seats, the
heated seats turn on during colder outside
temperatures and shut off when the ignition
is turned on.
The rear window defogger and heated
mirrors, if equipped, turn on during colder
outside temperatures and turn off when the
ignition is turned on. After entering the vehicle during a remote
start, press the brake and ENGINE START/
STOP with the transmitter in the vehicle to
drive the vehicle.
If the vehicle is left running, it automatically
shuts off after 15 minutes unless a time
extension has been done.Extending Engine Run Time
To extend the engine run time by
15 minutes, repeat Steps 1 and 2 while the
engine is still running. An extension can be
requested 30 seconds after starting. The
engine run time can only be extended if it is
the first remote start since the vehicle has
been driven. Remote start can be extended
one time.
If the remote start procedure is used again
while the engine is still running, 15 minutes
will be added on for a total of 30 minutes.
For example, if
Qand then/are pressed
again while the engine is still running,
15 minutes will be added on for a total of
30 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts or remote
start with an extension are allowed between
ignition cycles. After the vehicle's engine has been started
two times using the remote start button or
a start with an extension, the ignition must
be turned on and then back off before the
remote start procedure can be used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To manually shut off a remote start:
.Press and hold/until the lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then off.
Conditions in Which the Remote Start
Will Not Work
The vehicle cannot be started using the
remote start feature if the RKE transmitter is
in the vehicle, the hood is open, the vehicle
is not in P (Park), the hazard flashers are on,
the vehicle is on, two remote starts or a
start with an extension have been used,
or there is an emission control system
malfunction.
The engine turns off during a remote start if
the coolant temperature gets too high or if
the oil pressure gets low.

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20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
the touch pad on the liftgate handle will
restart the motion, but only in the opening
direction.
Caution
Manually forcing the liftgate to open or
close during a power cycle can damage
the vehicle. Allow the power cycle to
complete.
The power liftgate may be temporarily
disabled under extreme low temperatures,
or after repeated power cycling over a short
period of time. If this occurs, the liftgate can
still be operated manually.
If the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park) while
the power function is in progress, the
liftgate will continue to completion. If the
vehicle is accelerated before the liftgate has
completed moving, the liftgate may stop or
reverse direction. Check for DIC messages
and make sure the liftgate is closed and
latched before driving.
Falling Liftgate Detection
If the power liftgate automatically closes
after a power opening cycle, it indicates that
the system is reacting to excess weight on
the liftgate or a possible support strut
failure. A repetitive chime will sound while the falling liftgate detection feature is
operating. Remove any excess weight. If the
liftgate continues to automatically close
after opening, see your dealer for service
before using the power liftgate.
Interfering with the power liftgate motion
or manually closing the liftgate too quickly
after power opening may resemble a
support strut failure. This could also activate
the falling liftgate detection feature. Allow
the liftgate to complete its operation and
wait a few seconds before manually closing
the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle during
a power open or close cycle, the liftgate will
automatically reverse direction and move a
short distance away from the obstacle. After
removing the obstruction, the power liftgate
operation can be used again. If the liftgate
encounters multiple obstacles on the same
power cycle, the power function will
deactivate. After removing the obstructions,
manually close the liftgate which will allow
normal power operation functions to
resume.
If the vehicle is locked while the liftgate is
closing, and an obstacle is encountered that
prevents the liftgate from completely
closing, the horn will sound as an alert that
the liftgate did not close.
Setting the 3/4 Mode
To change the position the liftgate stops at
when opening:
1. Select MAX or 3/4 mode and power open the liftgate.
2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing any liftgate
switch. Manually adjust the liftgate
position if needed.
3. Press and hold
lto the left of the
latch at the bottom of the liftgate until
the turn signals flash and a beep sounds.
This indicates the setting has been
recorded.
The liftgate cannot be set below a minimum
programmable height. If there is no light
flash or sound, then the height adjustment
may be too low.

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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.

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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.

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30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The vehicle aerodynamics are designed to
improve fuel economy performance. This
may result in a pulsing sound when either
rear window is down and the front windows
are up. To reduce the sound, open either a
front window or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
{Warning
Children could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Never leave the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter in a vehicle with
children. When there are children in the(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
rear seat, use the window lockout switch
to prevent operation of the windows. See
Keys06.
The power windows work when the ignition
is on, in ACC/ACCESSORY, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0203.
Using the window switch, press to open or
pull to close the window.
The windows may be temporarily disabled if
they are used repeatedly within a
short time.
Window Lockout
This feature stops the rear passenger
window switches from working.
.Press2to engage the rear window
lockout feature. The indicator light is on
when engaged.
.Press2again to disengage.
Window Express Movement
All windows can be opened without holding
the window switch. Press the switch down
fully and quickly release to express open the
window.
If equipped, pull the window switch up fully
and quickly release to express close the
window.