
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
150 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0163.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0168.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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
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-
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Vehicle Care 215
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
possible.
To identify and check fuses, circuit
breakers, and relays, seeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block 0215,
Instrument Panel Fuse Block 0218,
and Rear Compartment Fuse
Block 0220.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To remove the fuse block cover,
squeeze the clip and lift it up.
Caution
Spilling liquid on any electrical
component on the vehicle may
damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical
component.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
218 Vehicle Care
RelaysUsage
03 Cooling fan control 2
04 Trailer (N/A)
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is
on the underside of the driver side
instrument panel. To access the
fuses, remove the storage
compartment. To remove the
storage compartment, open the
compartment and pull it out.
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
12 HVAC module/ICS
13 Liftgate relay

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 219
Mini Fuses Usage14 Ultrasonic parking aid module
15 Lane departure warning module/
Interior rearview
mirror
16 Adaptive forward lighting module
17 Door power window switch
18 Rain sensor
19 Body control module regulated voltage
control
20 Steering wheel switch backlighting
21 A/C accessory power outlet/PRNDL
22 Cigar lighter/DC accessory power
outlet
23 –
24 –
25 – Mini Fuses Usage
26 Automatic occupant sensing display
27 Instrument panel cluster/PTC control/
Clutch switch
28 Headlamp switch/ Adaptive forward
lighting/DC converter
29 –
30 Transmission control module battery
31 Instrument panel cluster battery
32 Radio/Chime/ Auxiliary jack
33 Display/Faceplate
34 OnStar/UHP/DAB
S/B Fuses Usage 1 –
2 –
3 Power window motor –front S/B Fuses Usage
4 Power window motor –rear
5 Logistic mode relay
6 –
7 –
8 –
Circuit
Breaker Usage
CB1 –
Midi Fuse Usage M01 PTC
Relays Usage 01 Accessory/Retained accessory power
02 Liftgate
03 –
04 –
05 Logistic mode

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 259
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces
and Vehicle Information and
Radio Displays
Use a microfiber cloth on high gloss
surfaces or vehicle displays. First,
use a soft bristle brush to remove
dirt that can scratch the surface.
Then gently clean by rubbing with a
microfiber cloth. Never use window
cleaners or solvents. Periodically
hand wash the microfiber cloth
separately, using mild soap. Do not
use bleach or fabric softener. Rinse
thoroughly and air dry before
next use.
Caution
Do not attach a device with a
suction cup to the display. This
may cause damage and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Instrument Panel, Leather,
Vinyl, Other Plastic Surfaces,
Low Gloss Paint Surfaces, and
Natural Open Pore Wood
Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather,
especially perforated leather, as
well as other interior surfaces,
may cause permanent damage.
Wipe excess moisture from these
surfaces after cleaning and allow
them to dry naturally. Never use
heat, steam, or spot removers. Do
not use cleaners that contain
silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these
solvents can permanently change(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the appearance and feel of
leather or soft trim, and are not
recommended.
Do not use cleaners that increase
gloss, especially on the instrument
panel. Reflected glare can decrease
visibility through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics
and painted surfaces. If an air
freshener comes in contact with
any plastic or painted surface in
the vehicle, blot immediately and
clean with a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Technical Data 275
Technical Data
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Vehicle Data
Capacities andSpecifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . . 277
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the front
corner of the instrument panel, on
the left side of the vehicle. It can be
seen through the windshield from
outside. The VIN also appears on
the Vehicle Certification and Service
Parts labels and certificates of title
and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN is
the engine code. This code
identifies the vehicle's engine,
specifications, and replacement
parts. See “Engine Specifications”
under Capacities and Specifications
0 276 for the vehicle's engine code.
Service Parts
Identification Label
If equipped, this label on the inside
of the glove box, has the following
information:
.
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).
. Model designation.
. Paint information.
. Production options and special
equipment.
Do not remove this label from the
vehicle.