2016 BUICK ENCORE ABS

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
168 Driving and Operating
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light 0108.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the
release button in as you move the
brake lever all the way down.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 207
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light 0108.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0263.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0272.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
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
0192 for 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer.WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0188.
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 0246 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.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
246 Vehicle Care
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after being installed on the
vehicle. The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary use only.
The vehicle will perform differently
with the spare tire installed and it is
recommended that the vehicle
speed be limited to 80 km/h
(50 mph). To conserve the tread of
the spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,
the AWD (if equipped), ABS, and
Traction Control systems may
engage until the spare tire is
recognized by the vehicle,
especially on slippery roads. Adjust
driving to reduce possible
wheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery - North
America 0207.
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely.
{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.
(Continued)

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
252 Vehicle Care
5. Remove the key from theignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing the Vehicle from
the Rear
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0272.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Index 309
IndexA
About Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 3
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 186
Additional Information
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296, 301
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 198
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 65
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Airbag System (cont'd)
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 61
Airbags Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 105
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 178
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 166, 208
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 167 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Armrest Front Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
314 Index
Lamps (cont'd)On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Lighting
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 108
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Lights (cont'd)
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 127
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 109
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 104
StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . .110
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . 109
Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 112
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 263 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 106
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Messages Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . .117
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Object Detection System . . . . . .118
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . .119
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116