2016 BUICK ENCORE towing

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
108 Instruments and Controls
.The light does not come on
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
with the engine not running.
. Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving
before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if
the vehicle has been recently
serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will
not pass or cannot be made ready
for the test.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly
when the engine is started. If it does
not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set. The
light stays on if the parking brake
does not fully release. If it stays on
after the parking brake is fully
released, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
If the light comes on while driving, a
chime sounds. Pull off the road and
stop. The pedal might be harder to
push or go closer to the floor.
It might also take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle 0249.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 143
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 147
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 148
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 150
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 155
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 164
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 173
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 183
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 151
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing the Vehicle 0249.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.Tire and Loading Information
Label
Example Label
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar). The Tire and Loading
Information label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
152 Driving and Operating
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment
tires (3) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (4).
For more information on tires
and inflation seeTires0221
and Tire Pressure 0228.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certification/Tire label. It may
show the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axle. See
“Certification/Tire Label” later in
this section.
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the
"XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.”
This vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to tow a trailer.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
174 Driving and Operating
20 m (65 ft) from the left or right side
behind the vehicle. The RCTA
system will not work properly if ice,
snow, mud, or anything else builds
up on the rear bumper sensors.
Use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA
detection zones that extend out
from the back of your vehicle do not
move further back when a trailer is
towed.
Rear Vision Camera Location
The camera is above the license
plate.The area displayed by the camera is
limited.
It does not display objects that are
close to either corner or under the
bumper and can vary depending on
vehicle orientation or road
conditions. Displayed images may
be closer or farther than they
appear.
The following illustrations show the
field of view that the camera
provides.1. View displayed by the
camera.
1. View displayed by thecamera.
2. Corner of the rear bumper.
When the System Does Not
Seem To Work Properly
The RVC system may not work
properly or display a clear image if:
. It is dark.
. The sun or the beam of
headlamps is shining directly
into the camera lens.
. Ice, snow, mud, or anything else
builds up on the camera lens.
Clean the lens, rinse it with
water, and wipe it with a soft
cloth.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16
Driving and Operating 185
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0106.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
. Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.

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.