Black plate (19,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Instruments and Controls 5-19
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If the TCS is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak
systems and the warning light
turns off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 9-28 andStabiliTrak
®
System on page 9-30.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
The StabiliTrak or Traction Control
System (TCS) indicator/warning
light comes on briefly when the
engine is started. If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS, and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled.
If the indicator/warning light is on
and flashing, the TCS and/or the
StabiliTrak system is actively
working.
See
StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9-30 andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9-28.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by the dealer. If the system
is working normally the indicator
light goes off.
Notice: The engine coolant
temperature warning light
indicates that the vehicle has
overheated. Driving with this light
on can damage the engine and it
may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. See Engine
Overheating on page 10-15.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10-15.
Black plate (21,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Instruments and Controls 5-21
ignition on, there may be a
problem with the fuse or bulb.
Have it fixed right away.
.If the vehicle comes to a hard
stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
Low Fuel Warning Light
Metric Shown, English Similar
This light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition is turned
on as a check to indicate it is
working. If it does not come on,
have it fixed. The low fuel warning light comes on
and a chime sounds periodically
when the vehicle is low on fuel. The
light turns off when fuel is added to
the fuel tank.
Immobilizer Light
The immobilizer light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the immobilizer
system. See
Immobilizer Operation
on page 2-10.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6-2.
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Indicator Light
This light turns on whenever the
Daytime Running Lamps are in use.
See Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
on page 6-2.
Black plate (22,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
5-22 Instruments and Controls
Front Fog Lamp Light
For vehicles with front fog lamps,
this light comes on when the front
fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the front
fog lamps are turned off. SeeFront
Fog Lamps on page 6-4 for more
information.
Lamps On Reminder
This light comes on when the
exterior lamps are in use. See
Exterior Lamp Controls on page 6-1.
Cruise Control Light
For vehicles with cruise control, the
cruise control light is white when the
cruise control is on and ready, and
turns green when the cruise control
is set and active.
The light turns off when the cruise
control is turned off. See Cruise
Control on page 9-32.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays information about the
vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. See Vehicle Messages on
page 5-25. All messages appear in
the DIC display in the center of the
instrument cluster.
The vehicle may also have features
that can be customized through the
controls on the radio. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5-31.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by using the
DIC buttons on the turn signal lever.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
Black plate (28,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
5-28 Instruments and Controls
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message is displayed when the
automatic light control has been
turned on. SeeAutomatic Headlamp
System on page 6-3.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message is displayed when the
automatic light control has been
turned off. See Automatic Headlamp
System on page 6-3.
XXX TURN INDICATOR
FAILURE
When one of the turn signals is out,
this message displays to show
which bulb needs to be replaced.
See Bulb Replacement on
page 10-23 andReplacement Bulbs
on page 10-26 for more information
on turn signal bulb replacement.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message is displayed if the
turn signal has been left on. Turn off
the turn signal.
Object Detection System
Messages
FORWARD COLLISION
ALERT OFF
If equipped with the Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) system, this
message may display if the FCA
system cannot activate due to a
temporary condition. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System on
page 9-34.
FRONT CAMERA BLOCKED,
CLEAN WINDSHIELD
This message displays when the
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
systems are disabled because the
camera view is blocked and cannot
operate properly. It may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
Black plate (30,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
5-30 Instruments and Controls
is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the AWD
system needs service. See your
dealer.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
first turned on. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9-28 for
more information.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the power steering
system and a chime may sound.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10-44.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system is learning new tires. See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10-44.
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low.
The low tire pressure warning light
will also come on. See Tire
Pressure Light on page 5-20.
If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Inflate the tires by adding air
until the tire pressure is equal to the
values shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tires
on page 10-35, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9-10, and Tire Pressure on
page 10-42.
You can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To
read the other messages that may
have been sent at the same time,
press the SET/CLR button. The DIC
also shows the tire pressure values.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5-22.
Black plate (1,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Lighting 6-1
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1
Headlamp High/Low-BeamChanger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 6-3
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Front Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . 6-6
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is to the
left of the steering column on the
instrument panel.
There are four positions:
O(Off): Briefly turn to this position
to turn the automatic lamp control
off or on again.
AUTO (Automatic): Turns the
headlamps on automatically at
normal brightness, together with the
following:
.Parking Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Sidemarker Lamps
;(Parking Lamps): Turns the
parking lamps on together with the
following:
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Sidemarker Lamps
5(Headlamps): Turns the
headlamps on together with the
lamps listed below. A warning chime
sounds if the driver door is opened
when the ignition switch is off and
the headlamps are on.
.Parking Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Sidemarker Lamps
Black plate (3,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
Lighting 6-3
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps go off and the DRL
come on.
To turn the DRL off or on again, turn
the exterior lamp control to the off
position and then release. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, the
DRL cannot be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside and
the exterior lamp control is in the
automatic position, the headlamps
come on automatically. SeeExterior
Lamp Controls on page 6-1.The vehicle has a light sensor on
top of the instrument panel. Make
sure it is not covered, or the
headlamps will be on when they are
not needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are
activated in daylight with the engine
on, and the exterior lamp control is
in AUTO, the headlamps, parking
lamps, and other exterior lamps come on. The transition time for the
lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are
not operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control to
P
or;to disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flasher):
Press and momentarily hold this
button to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on and off.
This warns others that you are
Black plate (6,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 1/8/13
9-6 Driving and Operating
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible. If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues
—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
(Continued)