2016 BUICK ENCORE windshield washer

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Instruments and Controls 97
With Rainsense, if the transmission
is in N (Neutral) and the vehicle
speed is very slow, the wipers will
automatically stop at the base of the
windshield.
The wiper operations return to
normal when the transmission is no
longer in N (Neutral) or the vehicle
speed has increased.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
The rear wiper/washer controls are
on the end of the windshield wiper
lever.
ON :Press the upper portion of the
button for continuous rear window
wipes. OFF :
The rear wiper turns off when
the button is returned to the middle
position.
INT (Intermittent Rear Wipes) :
Press the lower portion of the button
for rear intermittent wipes.
m=REAR (Rear Washer) : Push
the windshield wiper lever forward
to spray washer fluid on the rear
window. The lever returns to its
starting position when released.
Reverse Gear Wipes
If the rear wiper control is off, the
rear wiper will automatically operate
continuously when the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing low
or high speed wipes. If the rear
wiper control is off, the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing
interval wipes, then the rear wiper
automatically performs interval
wipes.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization 0121. The windshield washer reservoir is
used for the windshield and the rear
window. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir if either washer is not
working. See
Washer Fluid 0204.Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
Setting the Compass Zone
Under certain circumstances, such
as during a long trip or moving to a
new area, the compass zone will
need to be reset. If the compass is
not set to the correct zone, it may
give false readings. The compass
zone should be set to the area in
which the vehicle is currently
traveling.
Use the DIC buttons to set the
compass zone:
1. While the vehicle is in P (Park), press the MENU button to
display the DIC menu.
2. Press and hold SET/CLR while the Set Area display is active.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
148 Driving and Operating
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.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0221.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 187
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 188
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 188
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 197
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 198
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 203
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Battery - North America . . . . . . 207
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 208
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 209
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 209
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 211
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . 212
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 213
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 214
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 215
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 223
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 245

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 193
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0198.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0195.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0195.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0199.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0199.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0205.
7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0215.
8. Battery - North America 0207.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0204.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0215.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 195
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0198.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0195.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0199.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0195.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0199.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0205.
7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0215.
8. Battery - North America 0207.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0204.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0215.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:
.
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 0197.
. 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.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 192 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.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all
the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and
check the level.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
204 Vehicle Care
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.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield
washer fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 205
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0192 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 253
Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may
be damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber,
decals, simulated wood, or flat paint
as damage can occur.
Caution
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
(Continued)