2016 BUICK ENCORE Owner's Manual

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
184 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.
The fuel cap is behind a hinged fuel
door on the right rear side of the
vehicle. If equipped, the fuel door is locked
when the vehicle doors are locked.
Press
Kon the RKE transmitter to
unlock.
To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise. The fuel
cap has a spring in it; if the cap is
released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered
fuel cap from the hook on the
fuel door.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires. Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care
0252.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. Make sure
the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0106.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 185
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0106.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
. Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
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.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
186 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 106. A device connected to the
DLC —such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle 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 069 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 069.

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
188 Vehicle Care
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
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 0207
and Jump Starting - North
America 0246.
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.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 189
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the warranty.Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 069.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering
Information 0287.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
190 Vehicle Care
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 069.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0274.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
inside the vehicle. It is located
on the lower left side of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicleand move the secondary hood
release lever toward the right
side of the vehicle.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 191
3. Lift the hood and release thehood prop from its retainer,
above the radiator. Securely
place the hood prop into the
slot on the underside of
the hood. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop. Remove the hood prop
from the slot in the underside
of the hood and return the prop
to its retainer. The prop rod
must click into place when
returning it to the retainer to
prevent hood damage.
2. Lower the hood 30 cm (12 in) above the vehicle and release
it so it fully latches. Check to
make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if
necessary.