Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents 0141.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change
Signals 0129.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0127.
3. Instrument Cluster 0101.
4. Driver Information Center (DIC) Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0113.
5. Windshield Wiper/Washer 095.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 097.
6. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0168.
Hazard Warning
Flashers 0128.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator. See Passenger
Sensing System 065.
7. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0128.
8. Infotainment 0133.
9. Instrument Panel Storage 089. 10. Shift Lever. See
Automatic
Transmission 0164.
11. Auxiliary Input Jack. See the Infotainment Manual.
12. Power Outlets 098.
13. Parking Assist 0175 (If
Equipped).
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0180 (If Equipped).
14. Climate Control Systems 0134
or Dual Automatic Climate
Control System 0137 (If
Equipped).
15. Ignition Positions 0155.
16. Steering Wheel Controls 095.
17. Horn 095.
18. Steering Wheel
Adjustment 095.
19. Cruise Control 0170.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0177 (If Equipped).
20. Instrument Panel Storage 089. 21. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0106.
22. Hood Release. See Hood 0190.
23. Exterior Lamp Controls 0126.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0130.
Front Fog Lamps 0129 (If
Equipped).
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
20 In Brief
3.MENU: Press to display the
DIC menus. This button is also
used to return to or exit the last
screen displayed on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0113.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, FCA may help avoid or
reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes. FCA provides a
green indicator,
V, when a vehicle
is detected ahead. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a visual alert
and rapidly beeps.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0177.
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
unintentional lane departures at
speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or greater. LDW uses a camera sensor
to detect the lane markings. The
LDW light,
@, is green if a lane
marking is detected. If the vehicle
departs the lane without using a turn
signal in that direction, the light will
change to amber and flash. In
addition, beeps will sound.
See Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0180.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, SBZA will detect
moving vehicles in the next lane
over in the vehicle's side blind zone
area. When this happens, the SBZA
display will light up in the
corresponding outside side mirror
and will flash if the turn signal is on.
See Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) 0178.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If equipped, RVC displays a view of
the area behind the vehicle, on the
infotainment system display, when
the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse).
See Rear Vision Camera
(RVC) 0173.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) System
If equipped, the RCTA system uses
a triangle with an arrow displayed
on the RVC screen to warn of traffic
behind your vehicle that may cross
your vehicle's path while in
R (Reverse). In addition, beeps will
sound.
See “Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)” underRear Vision Camera
(RVC) 0173.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
In Brief 21
Parking Assist
If available, Front and Rear Parking
Assist (FRPA) uses sensors on the
front and rear bumpers to detect
objects while parking the vehicle.
It operates at speeds less than
8 km/h (5 mph). FRPA uses audio
beeps to provide distance and
system information.
Keep the sensors on the vehicle's
front and rear bumpers clean to
ensure proper operation.
SeeParking Assist 0175.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlet 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.
See Power Outlets 098.
Sunroof
If equipped, the sunroof only
operates when the ignition is turned
to ON/RUN or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. Open/Close :
Press and hold the
front or rear of switch (1) to open or
close the sunroof.
Vent : Press and hold the front or
rear of switch (2) to vent or close
the sunroof.
Manually close the sunshade.
The sunroof will not operate if the
vehicle has an electrical failure.
If problems persist, see your dealer.
See Sunroof 039.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
62 Seats and Restraints
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second row
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
they are in the side of the seatback
closest to the door.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System 059.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
impact exceeds the specific airbag
system's deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable, narrow
or wide.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Seats and Restraints 65
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
. The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0289
and Event Data
Recorders 0290.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the instrument panel
when the vehicle is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
The words ON and OFF, or the
symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the word ON or OFF, or the symbol for
on or off, will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
0105.
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. No other airbag is
affected by the passenger sensing
system.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part of
the front outboard passenger seat.
The sensors are designed to detect
the presence of a properly seated
occupant and determine if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped)
should be allowed to inflate or not.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
Whenever possible, children age
12 and under should be secured in
a rear seating position.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Seats and Restraints 69
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 069
for more information about
modifications that can affect how
the system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired, remove the object from
the seat.
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information
0287.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal, may keep the airbag system from working properly. The
operation of the airbag system can
also be affected by changing or
moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, any of the airbag
modules, ceiling or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
96 Instruments and Controls
INT (Intermittent Wipes/Rainsense
Wipe Sensitivity Control) :Move
the lever up to INT for intermittent
wipes, then turn the
xINT band
up for more frequent wipes or down
for less frequent wipes. If the
vehicle has Rainsense™, see
Rainsense™ later in this section.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
1X (Mist) : For a single wipe, briefly
move the wiper lever down. For
several wipes, hold the wiper
lever down.
b(Windshield Washer) : Pull the
windshield wiper lever toward you to
spray windshield washer fluid and
activate the wipers. The wipers will
continue until the lever is released
or the maximum wash time is
reached. When the windshield wiper
lever is released, additional wipes
may occur depending on how long
the windshield washer had been
activated. See Washer Fluid0204
for information on filling the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged wiper blades
should be replaced. See Wiper
Blade Replacement 0209.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor. A circuit breaker will
stop the motor until it cools down.
Rainsense™
If equipped with Rainsense, a rain
sensor detects the amount of water
on the windshield and controls the
frequency of the windshield wiper.
Keep the sensor free from debris to
allow for best system performance. INT (Rainsense Wipe Sensitivity
Control) :
Move the windshield
wiper lever to INT. Turn the
xINT
band on the wiper lever to adjust the
sensitivity.
. Turn the band up for more
sensitivity to moisture.
. Turn the band down for less
sensitivity to moisture.
. Move the windshield wiper lever
out of the INT position to
deactivate Rainsense.
Wiper Arm Assembly Protection
When using an automatic car wash,
move the windshield wiper lever to
OFF. This disables the automatic
Rainsense windshield wipers and/or
manual windshield wipers.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
100 Instruments and Controls
If equipment is connected using
more than 150 watts or a system
fault is detected, a protection circuit
shuts off the power supply and the
indicator light turns off. To reset the
circuit, unplug the item and plug it
back in or turn the Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) off and
then back on. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0160. The
power restarts when equipment
using 150 watts or less is plugged
into the outlet and a system fault is
not detected. The power outlet is not designed for
and may not work properly, if the
following are plugged in:
.
Equipment with high initial peak
wattage such as:
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools.
. Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply
such as:
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor
lamps, etc.
. Medical equipment.Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly
when the engine is started to
indicate they are working. When
one of the warning lights comes on
and stays on while driving, or when
one of the gauges shows there may
be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even
dangerous.