2016 BUICK ENCORE tow

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
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.

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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
210 Vehicle Care
2. Press the release button on thetop side of the wiper and pull
the wiper blade out of the end
of the wiper arm.
3. Install the wiper blade connector by sliding into the
end of the wiper arm until the
button on the wiper blade clicks
into place with the wiper arm.
4. Place the wiper arm with the wiper blade in place back on
the windshield.
Caution
Damage may occur if the wiper
blades are not in contact with the
windshield before turning on the
wiper system.
Rear Wiper Blade Replacement
The rear wiper blade and wiper arm
have a cover for protection. The
cover must be removed before the
wiper blade can be replaced. To remove the cover:
1. Slide a plastic tool under the
cover and push upward to
unsnap.
2. Slide the cover toward the wiper blade tip to unhook it
from the blade assembly.
3. Remove the cover.
4. After wiper blade replacement, ensure that the cover hook
slides into the slot in the blade
assembly.
5. Snap the cover down to secure. To replace the wiper blade:
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.
2. Push the release lever (2) todisengage the hook and push
the wiper arm (1) out of the
blade assembly (3).
3. Push the new blade assembly securely on the wiper arm until
the release lever clicks into
place.
4. Replace the wiper cover.

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Vehicle Care 213
2. Remove the parking lamp bulbsocket from the headlamp
assembly by turning
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the bulb socket by pulling it straight out.
4. Install the new bulb in the bulb socket.
5. Install the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly by turning
clockwise.
Turn Signal Lamp
1. Open the hood. SeeHood 0190.
2. Remove the turn signal lamp
bulb socket from the headlamp
assembly by turning
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the bulb socket by pulling it straight out.
4. Install the new bulb in the bulb socket.
5. Install the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly by turning
clockwise.
License Plate Lamp
Lamp Assembly
Bulb Assembly
To replace one of these bulbs: 1. Push the left end of the lamp assembly toward the right.
2. Turn the lamp assembly down to remove it.
3. Turn the bulb socket (1) counterclockwise to remove it
from the lamp assembly (3).
4. Pull the bulb (2) straight out of the bulb socket (1).
5. Push the replacement bulb straight into the bulb socket
and turn the bulb socket
clockwise to install it into the
lamp assembly.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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234 Vehicle Care
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 mi). See
Maintenance Schedule0263.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
more uniform wear for all tires.
The first rotation is the most
important.
Anytime unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See When It Is Time
for New Tires 0235 andWheel
Replacement 0239.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure 0228 and Vehicle
Load Limits 0151.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0230. Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See
“Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications 0276.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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240 Vehicle Care
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. SeeTires
0 221. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if there ever is a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect
and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
(Continued)

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Vehicle Care 243
4. Place the hex tube end of thewrench over the hex head of
the jack to attach it.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise until the lift head is
firmly contacting the proper
lifting point nearest the flat tire.
{Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
6. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle
far enough off the ground so
there is enough room for the
spare tire to fit underneath the
wheel well. 7. Turn the wheel nuts
counterclockwise to
remove them.
8. Remove the flat tire.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.