Black plate (7,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-7
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-10.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-7.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-11.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-7.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10-11.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-17.
7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-28.
8. Battery on page 10-19.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10-16.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-28.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10-9.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10-6 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{WARNING
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
Black plate (11,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-11
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11-3. If you are driving in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
filter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the engine air cleaner/
filter, remove the filter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the filter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the
filter remains covered with dirt, a
new filter is required. To inspect or replace the air cleaner/
filter:
1. Remove the two screws, tilt the
cover, and slide it out of the
assembly.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
3. Lower the cover, slide it into the assembly, then secure with the
two screws.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-3 for replacement intervals.
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice: If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
Black plate (12,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-12 Vehicle Care
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX‐COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the first maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX‐COOL
®(silicate‐free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10-15.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
(Continued)
Black plate (13,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-13
WARNING (Continued)
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to −37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature. Notice:
If improper coolant
mixture, inhibitors, or additives
are used in the vehicle cooling
system, the engine could
overheat and be damaged. Too
much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack engine cooling
parts. The repairs would not be
covered by the warranty. Use only
the proper mixture of engine
coolant for the cooling system.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-11.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level. It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
Notice:
This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
Black plate (14,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-14 Vehicle Care
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
Notice: In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you hear
a hiss, wait for that to stop. This
will allow any pressure still left to
be vented out the
discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture to the indicated
level mark.
Black plate (15,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-15
4. With the coolant surge tankpressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture to
the coolant surge tank until the
level reaches the indicated
level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight.
Check the level in the coolant surge
tank when the cooling system has
cooled down. If the coolant is not at
the proper level, repeat Steps
1–3 and reinstall the pressure cap.
If the coolant still is not at the proper
level when the system cools down
again, see your dealer.Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of the engine overheating. See
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 5-19.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13-7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13-11.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice: Running the engine
without coolant may cause
damage or a fire. Vehicle damage
would not be covered by the
warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
Black plate (29,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Vehicle Care 10-29
Mini Fuses Usage12 Rear Window Defogger
13 Not Used
14 Outside Rearview Mirror Heater
15 Fuel System Control Module Battery
16 Heated Seat Module/Memory
Module
17 Transmission Control Module R/C
18 Engine Control Module R/C
19 Fuel Pump
20 Not Used
21 Fan Relay (Auxiliary Fuse Block)
22 Not Used
23 Ignition Coil/Injectors
24 Washer Pump Mini Fuses Usage
25 Not Used
26 Canister Purge Solenoid/Water
Valve Solenoid/
Oxygen Sensors –
Pre and Post/Turbo
Wastegate Solenoid
(1.4L)/Turbo Bypass
Solenoid (1.4L)
27 Not Used
28 Not Used
29 Engine Control Module Powertrain
Ignition 1/Ignition 2
30 Mass Air Flow Sensor
31 Left High-Beam Headlamp
32 Right High-Beam Headlamp
33 Engine Control Module Battery Mini Fuses Usage
34 Horn
35 Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
36 Front Fog Lamps
J-Case Fuses Usage
1 Electronic Brake Control
Module Pump
2 Front Wiper
3 Blower Motor
4 IEC R/C
5 Not Used
6 Not Used
7 Not Used
8 Cooling Fan Low/Mid
9 Cooling Fan High
10 EVP
Black plate (30,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
10-30 Vehicle Care
J-CaseFuses Usage
11 Starter Solenoid
U-Micro Relays Usage
2 Not Used
4 Spare
HC-Micro Relays Usage
7 Starter
Mini
Relays Usage
1 Run Crank
3 Cooling Fan Mid
5 Powertrain Relay
8 Cooling Fan Low HC-Mini
Relays Usage
6 Cooling Fan High
Auxiliary Fuse Block
To remove the fuse block cover,
squeeze the clips and lift it up.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
Relays Usage
01 Electric Vacuum Pump
02 Cooling Fan Control 1
03 Cooling Fan Control 2
04 Trailer (N/A)