Black plate (20,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
9-20 Driving and Operating
the driver seat. To find out how, see
“Shifting Into Park”previously in this
section.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, so you can pull
the shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with a shift
lock control. The shift lock control is
designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released.
.Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park) unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN and the
brake pedal is applied. The shift lock control is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See
Jump Starting - North
America on page 10-62.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position. If the shift lever still cannot be
moved from P (Park), see
“Shift
Lock Manual Release.”
Shift Lock Manual Release
The automatic transmission has an
electric park lock. The key must be
in the ON/RUN position, and the
brake pedal pressed so the shift
lever can be moved from the
P (Park) position. If the battery has
lost power, the shift lever cannot be
moved from P (Park) unless the shift
lock manual release is disengaged
manually.
To access the shift lock manual
release:
1. Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key.
2. Hold the brake pedal down. Apply the parking brake.
Black plate (45,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Driving and Operating 9-45
Warning (Continued)
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
.Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
.Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always check with your
dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3-34 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3-34.
Black plate (1,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-2
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-15
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18 Battery - North America . . . . 10-20
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-20
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-21
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-26
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-38
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Pressure Monitor
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Black plate (2,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
10-2 Vehicle Care
Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-55
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . 10-61
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts
and systems, many fluids, and
some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals.
See
Battery - North America on
page 10-20 andJump Starting -
North America on page 10-62.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Black plate (7,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Vehicle Care 10-7
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-11.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-7.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-12.
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 10-12.
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 - North America on
page 10-20.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10-17.
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 (20,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
10-20 Vehicle Care
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-6for battery location.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. SeeCalifornia
Proposition 65 Warning on
page 10-2.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America on page 10-62 for
tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
changing or checking unless there is a fluid leak or unusual noise.
If required, have the transfer case
serviced by your dealer.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
Black plate (29,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
Vehicle Care 10-29
Mini Fuses Usage1 Sunroof
2 Outside Rearview Mirror Switch
3 Canister Vent Solenoid
4 Not Used
5 Electronic Brake Control Module
Valve
6 Not Used
7 Not Used
8 Transmission Control Module
Battery
9 BCM Regulated Voltage Control
10 Fuel System Control Module R/C/
Headlamp Leveling
11 Rear Wiper Mini Fuses Usage
12 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
Black plate (32,1)Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707490) - 2015 - crc - 2/4/15
10-32 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Mini Fuses Usage
1 Body Control Module 1
2 Body Control Module 2
3 Body Control Module 3
4 Body Control Module 4
5 Body Control Module 5
6 Body Control Module 6
7 Body Control Module 7
8 Body Control Module 8
9 Discrete Logic Ignition Switch
10 Sensing Diagnostic Module Battery
11 Data Link Connector Mini Fuses Usage
12 Heater, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
MDL/ICS
13 Liftgate Relay
14 UPA Module
15 LDW Module/Inside Rearview Mirror
16 Adaptive Forward Lighting Module
17 Power WNDWSW DR
18 Rain Sensor
19 Body Control Module Regulated
Voltage Control
20 Steering Wheel Switch Backlighting
21 A/C Accessory Power Outlet/
PRNDL