Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 183
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle may not pass a smog-check
test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0106.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it
is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If planning to drive in countries
outside the U.S. or Canada, the
proper fuel might be hard to find.
Check regional auto club or fuel
retail brand websites for availability
in the country where driving. Never
use leaded gasoline, fuel containing
methanol, manganese, or any other
fuel not recommended. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper
fuel would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0182.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of Fuel
System Treatment PLUS added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. Fuel System
Treatment PLUS is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death. . To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Do not use a cell phone
while refueling.
. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
. Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
(Continued)
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 197
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON DIC message comes on.
See
Vehicle Messages 0116.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Vehicle Care 201
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature. .
Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0272.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
312 Index
EmergencyOnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 192
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cooling System Messages . . . .117
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 163
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 290
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 126F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 198
First Aid Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 128
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 198
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Fog Lamps Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . .112
Requirements, California . . . . . 183
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 215
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220