climate BUICK ENCORE GX 2023 Owner's Manual

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
266 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer instructions
for adding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake linings have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake linings are worn and
new linings are needed. The sound can come
and go or can be heard all the time when
the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound means
that soon the brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash. When the
brake wear warning sound is heard, have
the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
linings could result in costly brake
repairs.
Some driving conditions or climates can
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied, clearing up following several
applications. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake linings for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications 0332.
Brake pads should be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be
a sign that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts with
new, approved replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not work
properly. The braking performance can
change in many ways if the wrong brake
parts are installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Pad Life System
When to Change Brake Pads
If equipped, this system estimates the
remaining life of the front and rear brake
pads. Brake pad life is displayed in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), along with
a percentage for each axle. The system must
be reset every time the brake pads are
changed.
When the system has determined that the
brake pads need to be replaced, a message
will display.
Brake pads should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
300 Vehicle Care
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to
Federal Safety Requirements In Addition
To These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1½)
times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning:
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade Ccorresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning:
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider an
alignment check if there is unusual tire wear
or the vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to the
left or right, depending on the crown of the
road and/or other road surface variations

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
316 Vehicle Care
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black finish
stripes can increase the gloss level and
create a non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes, between
the hood and windshield, when washing the
vehicle.
Shutter System
The vehicle may have a shutter system
designed to help improve fuel economy.
Keep the shutter system clear of debris,snow and ice. If the check engine light is
activated, please check to see if the shutter
system is clear of debris, snow or ice.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with
glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer
fluid or a mild detergent. Wash the
windshield thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause
wiper streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged. Damage can be caused by
extreme dusty conditions, sand, salt, heat,
sun, snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply weatherstrip lubricant on
weatherstrips to make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak. Lubricate
weatherstrips at least once a year. Hot, dry
climates may require more frequent
application. Black marks from rubber
material on painted surfaces can be removed
by rubbing with a clean cloth. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0327.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to clean
the tires.
Caution
Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on the vehicle may damage the
paint finish and/or tires. When applying a
tire dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted surfaces on
the vehicle.
Wheels and Wheel Trim
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild soap and
water to clean the wheels. After rinsing
thoroughly with clean water, dry with a
soft, clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and chrome wheel trim
may be damaged if the vehicle is not
washed after driving on roads that have
been sprayed with magnesium chloride or
calcium chloride. These are used on roads
for conditions such as dust and ice.
Always wash the chrome with soap and
water after exposure.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
356 Index
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
ChargingSystem Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 75
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Child Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Connected Services
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Control Traction and Electronic Stability . . . . . . . 208
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Controls Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177, 179
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . 340
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Covers Rear Compartment/Storage Panel . . . . . . . 80
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Cruise Control (cont'd)
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Customer Assistance Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Customer Information
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . 342
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . 335
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dashboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . 151
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Disabled Vehicle Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Index 357
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
DoorAjar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 270
Driver
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . 108, 110
Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 240
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Driving (cont'd)
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . 179
E
ElectricBrake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Electrical
Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 280
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 284
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 100
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 Engine (cont'd)
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
F
FilterEngine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
362 Index
RecordsMaintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Remote Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Key Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . 73
Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . 51
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Restraints
Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . 200
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 Roof
Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . 202
S
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . 45
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Seats (cont'd)
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 75
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182 Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 250
Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . 322
Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Servicing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162