Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Seats and Restraints 57
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for the front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal, near
frontal, or rear crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner
activation are met. Safety belt
pretensioners can also help tighten
the safety belts in a side crash or a
rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
the pretensioners and probably
other parts of the vehicle's safety
belt system will need to be replaced.
SeeReplacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash 058.
Do not sit on the outboard safety
belt while entering or exiting the
vehicle or at any time while sitting in
the seat. Sitting on the safety belt
can damage the webbing and
hardware.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort
Guides
Rear safety belt comfort guides may
provide added safety belt comfort
for older children who have
outgrown booster seats and for
some adults. When installed on a
shoulder belt, the comfort guide
positions the belt away from the
neck and head.
Comfort guides are available
through your dealer for the rear
outboard seating positions.
Instructions are included with the
guide.
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to
be seriously injured if they do not
wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap
portion should be worn as low as
possible, below the rounding,
throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is
to protect the mother. When a safety
belt is worn properly, it is more likely
that the fetus will not be hurt in a
crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making safety
belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
98 Instruments and Controls
3. Find the vehicle's currentlocation and zone number on
the map. Zones 1 through 15
are available.
4. Use
w xto change to the
correct zone number.
5. Press SET/CLR to confirm the setting.
Clock
The infotainment system controls
are used to access the time and
date settings through the menu
system. See “Using the System” in
the infotainment manual.
Setting the Clock
To set the time and date:
1. Press the CONFIG button and then turn the TUNE/MENU
knob to select Time and Date
or press
H.
2. Select the desired feature.
3. Turn the TUNE/MENU knob to adjust the highlighted number.
4. Press the TUNE/MENU knob to select the next number.
5. To save and return to the Time and Date menu, press
/BACK
at any time or press the TUNE/
MENU knob after adjusting the
value.
6. Repeat steps 2–5 for the remaining feature.
If auto timing is set, the time
displayed on the clock may not
update immediately when driving
into a new time zone. Setting the 12/24 Hour Format
1. Press the CONFIG button and select Time and Date or
press
H.
2. Select Set Time Format.
3. Turn the TUNE/MENU knob to highlight the 12 hour or 24 hour
display format.
4. Press the TUNE/MENU knob to select display format.
Power Outlets
Power Outlets 12 Volt Direct Current
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There is one accessory power outlet
on the center stack below the
climate control. This outlet is
powered when the key is in ON/
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or until
the driver door is opened within
10 minutes of turning off the vehicle.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0160.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Instruments and Controls 121
Vehicle
Personalization
Use the audio system controls to
access the personalization menus
for customizing vehicle features.
The following are all possible
personalization features. Depending
on the vehicle, some may not be
available
CONFIG (Configuration) :Press to
access the Configuration
Settings menu.
TUNE/MENU : Press the center of
the knob or outer ring for radios with
navigation to enter the menus and
select menu items. Turn the knob or
outer ring to scroll through the
menus.
/BACK : Press to exit or move
backward in a menu.
Entering the Personalization
Menus
1. Press CONFIG to access the Configuration Settings menu.
The key must be in the ON/
RUN position. 2. Turn the TUNE/MENU knob or
outer ring to highlight the
Vehicle Settings menu.
3. Press the TUNE/MENU knob or outer ring to select
the menu.
4. Press
/BACK to confirm the
selection and move back to the
last menu.
The following list of menu items may
be available:
. Languages
. Time and Date
. Radio Settings
. Phone Settings
. Display Settings
. Vehicle Settings
Languages
Select Languages, then select from
the available language(s).
Time and Date
Select the Time and Date menu and
the following may display:
.Set Time .
Set Date
. 12 hr / 24 hr Format
Set Time
Select to manually set the time.
Turn TUNE/MENU knob or outer
ring to change the number, then
press the knob or outer ring to
confirm and go to the next number.
Set Date
Select to manually set the date.
Turn TUNE/MENU knob or outer
ring to change the number, then
press the knob or outer ring to
confirm and go to the next number.
12 hr / 24 hr Format
Select to set the 12/24 hour format.
Select 12 hr or 24 hr.
Radio Settings
Select Radio Settings and the
following may display:
. Auto Volume
. Maximum Startup Volume
. Radio Favorites
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
124 Instruments and Controls
Comfort and Convenience
If equipped, select the Comfort and
Convenience menu and the
following may display:
.Easy Exit Driver Seat
. Memory Remote Recall
. Chime Volume
. Button Volume
. Reverse Tilt Mirror
. Auto Reverse Gear Wiper
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature moves the seat
rearward allowing the driver more
room to exit the vehicle.
Select On or Off.
Memory Remote Recall
If equipped, this feature recalls the
driver seat and outside mirrors to
previously stored Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter memory
positions when entering the vehicle.
See Memory Seats 045.
Select On or Off. Chime Volume
This allows the selection of the
chime volume level.
Select Normal or High.
Button Volume
This allows the selection of the
volume level when a button is
pressed.
Select Normal or High.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
This feature tilts the outside mirrors
when the vehicle is in R (Reverse)
allowing the driver to view the curb
for parallel parking.
Select On or Off.
Auto Reverse Gear Wiper
When selected, the rear wiper will
intermittent wipe when the vehicle is
shifted into R (Reverse). When
deselected, the rear wiper will
continuously wipe when the vehicle
is shifted into R (Reverse).
Select or Deselect.
Collision Detection System
Select the Collision Detection
System menu and the following may
display:
.
Side Blind Zone Alert
Side Blind Zone Alert
This allows this feature to be turned
on or off. See Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) 0178.
Select On or Off.
Lighting
Select the Lighting menu and the
following may display:
. Exit Lighting
. Vehicle Locator Lights
Exit Lighting
This allows the selection of how
long the exterior lamps stay on
when leaving the vehicle when it is
dark outside.
Select Off, 30 Seconds, 1 Minute,
or 2 Minutes.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Lighting 131
H(Door) :When the button is
returned to the middle position, the
lamps turn on automatically when a
door is opened.
R(On) : Press to turn on the dome
lamps.
Reading Lamps
The front reading lamps are in the
overhead console.
#or$(Reading Lamps) : Press
to turn each lamp on or off.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
The headlamps, parking lamps,
taillamps, back-up lamps, and most
of the interior lamps turn on briefly
at night or in areas of limited lighting
when
Kis pressed on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
After about 30 seconds the exterior
lamps turn off, and then the dome
and remaining interior lamps will dim
to off. Entry lighting can be disabled
manually by changing the ignition
out of the OFF position, or by
pressing the RKE transmitter
Q
button.
This feature can be changed. See
“Vehicle Locator Lights” under
Vehicle Personalization 0121.
Exit Lighting
The headlamps, taillamps, parking
lamps, back‐up lamps, and license
plate lamps come on at night, or in
areas with limited lighting, when the
key is removed from the ignition.
The dome lamps also come on
when the key is removed from the
ignition. The exterior lamps and
dome lamps remain on after the
door is closed for a set amount of
time, then automatically turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off
immediately by turning the exterior
lamps control off.
The exit lighting feature can be
changed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0121.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 155
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:. Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the first 805 km (500 mi).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
. Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 mi) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
The key must be fully extended to
start the vehicle. To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in ON/RUN and the regular
brake pedal applied.
0 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/
OFF) :
When the vehicle is stopped,
turn the ignition switch to LOCK/
OFF to turn the engine off.
This position locks the ignition and
transmission. The steering wheel
may also lock, if equipped.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with the wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/
ACCESSORY. If this does not work,
then the vehicle needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
156 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF. On
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever
must be in P (Park) to turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK/
OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0167.{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
Caution
Using a tool to force the key to
turn in the ignition could cause
damage to the switch or break the
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer. 1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) :
This is the
position in which you can operate
things like the radio and the
windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
3 (START) : This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 157
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/
OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
If the ignition becomes difficult to
turn, seeKeys024.
Key Lock Release
The vehicle may be equipped with
an electronic key lock release
system. This system is to prevent
ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in P (Park).
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle
when it is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical
Equipment 0186.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the
ignition.
The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key or
button, and the accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but