trailer BUICK ENCORE GX 2023 Owner's Guide

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Driving and Operating 247
Cross the safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes separated
from the hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the combination can turn. Never
allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg (1,000 lb) must
be equipped with brake systems and with
brakes for each axle. Trailer braking
equipment conforming to Canadian
Standards Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State or local regulations may require
trailers to have their own braking system if
the loaded weight of the trailer exceeds
certain minimums that can vary from state
to state. Read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so they are installed,
adjusted, and maintained properly. Never
attempt to tap into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both the vehicle
anti-lock brakes and the trailer brakes may
not function, which could result in a crash.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are working at
the beginning of each trip, and periodically
on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer turn
signals should will illuminate to indicate the
vehicle is turning, changing lanes,
or stopping. When towing a trailer, the
arrows on the instrument cluster will
illuminate even if the trailer is not properly
connected or the bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from vehicle
tires. Trailer tires are designed with stiff
sidewalls to help prevent sway and to
support heavy loads. These features can
make it difficult to determine if the trailer
tire pressures are low only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire pressures before
each trip when the tires are cool. Low trailer
tire pressure is a leading cause of trailer tire
blow-outs.Trailer tires deteriorate over time. The trailer
tire sidewall will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend replacing tires
more than six years old.
Overloading is another leading cause of
trailer tire blow-outs. Never load your trailer
with more weight than the tires are
designed to support. The load rating is
located on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed rating for
the trailer tires before driving. This may be
significantly lower than the vehicle tire
speed rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed rating is
not shown, the default trailer tire speed
rating is 105 km/h (65 mph).

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Vehicle Care 311
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.
.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.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Service and Maintenance 323
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. SeeVehicle
Load Limits 0191.
.Are driven on reasonable road surfaces
within legal driving limits.
.Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel 0237.
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 0251.
Maintenance Schedule
Tire Rotation and Required Services
Every 12 000 km (7,500 mi)
Tires are rotated to achieve a more uniform
wear for all tires. The first rotation is the
most important.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed, rotate the
tires as soon as possible, check for proper
tire inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the unusual
wear continues after the rotation, check the wheel alignment. See
When It Is Time for
New Tires 0297 and
Wheel Replacement 0301.
.Perform Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection.
See Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection (MPVI)
0 325.
.Lubricate body components. See Exterior
Care 0314.
Additional Required Services —Normal
Service
Every 12 000 km (7,500 mi)
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed, change engine
oil and filter, and reset oil life system. Or
when the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, have the engine oil and
filter changed within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). If driven under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system may
not indicate the need for vehicle service
for up to a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset. Your
trained dealer technician can perform this
work. If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle within
5 000 km (3,000 mi) since the last service.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
324 Service and Maintenance
Reset the oil life system when the oil is
changed. SeeEngine Oil Life System
0 258.
.When the REPLACE AT NEXT OIL CHANGE
message displays, the engine air filter
should be replaced at the next engine oil
change. When the REPLACE ENGINE AIR
FILTER SOON message displays, the
engine air filter should be replaced at the
earliest convenience. Reset the engine air
filter life system after the engine air filter
is replaced. See Engine Air Filter Life
System 0259.
Every 36 000 km (22,500 mi)
.Passenger compartment air filter
replacement (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). More frequent
replacement may be needed if the vehicle
is driven in areas with heavy traffic, poor
air quality, areas with high dust levels or
are sensitive to environmental allergens.
Filter replacement may also be needed if
you notice reduced airflow, windows
fogging up, or odors. Your local GM
Service location can help you determine
when it is the right time to replace your
filter. Every 96 000 km (60,000 mi)
.Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug
wires and/or boots.
Every 161 000 km (100,000 mi)
.Replace hood and/or body lift support gas
struts. Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)0271.
Every 240 000 km (150,000 mi)
.Change rear axle fluid, if equipped with
AWD. Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water can
overcome the seals and contaminate the
transfer case fluid. Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the transfer case and/
or axles and should be replaced.
.Drain and fill engine cooling system. Or
every six years, whichever comes first.
See Cooling System 0260.
Severe Conditions Requiring More
Frequent Maintenance*
.Public service, military, or commercial use
vehicles to include the following:
‐ Ambulances, police cars, and
emergency rescue vehicles. ‐
Civilian vehicles such as light duty
pick-up trucks, SUVs, and passenger
cars that are used in military
applications.
‐ Recovery vehicles such as tow trucks
and flatbed single vehicle carriers or
any vehicle that is consistently used in
towing trailers or other loads.
‐ High use commercial vehicles such as
courier delivery vehicles, private
security patrol vehicles, or any vehicles
that operate on a 24–hour basis.
‐ Any vehicle consistently operated in a
high sand or dust environment such as
those used on oil pipelines and similar
applications.
.Vehicles that are regularly used for short
trips of 6 km (4 mi) or less.
The oil life indicator will show you when
to change the oil and filter. Under severe
conditions the indicator may come on
before 12 000 km (7,500 mi).
* Footnote: Under extreme driving
conditions listed above, it may be
necessary to replace your spark plugs at
more frequent intervals. For further
assistance in determining the most

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
364 Index
Tires (cont'd)Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 299
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 300
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . 297
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrakLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . 208
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . 168
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . 340 Transporting
a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
TTY Users Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275, 277
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Updates Map Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Using Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
VehicleAhead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Vehicle (cont'd)
Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 92
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301