Buick Envision Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
8534310) - 2016 - crc - 2/29/16
270 Driving and Operating
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature transfer
engine power, as required, to all
four wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system.
An AWD message may be
displayed. To restore full AWD
operation and prevent excessive
wear on the system, replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire as
soon as possible. SeeCompact
Spare Tire 0364.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light 0122. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Buick Envision Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 271
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch is on the center console. The
EPB can always be activated, even
if the ignition is off. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid repeated
cycles of the EPB when the engine
is not running.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. SeeElectric
Parking Brake Light 0122 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 122. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages. See Brake
System Messages 0137. In case of
insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the red parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Lift up the EPB switch momentarily. The red parking brake status light
will flash and then stay on once the
EPB is fully applied. If the red
parking brake status light flashes
continuously, then the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps
flashing, have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the red
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer. See
Electric
Parking Brake Light 0122.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, lift up on the EPB switch
and hold it up. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber
parking brake warning light is on,
see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held up. If the switch is held up until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
Buick Envision Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 299
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 may 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) 0119. 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 Fuel0298.
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. Do not use additives with E85 or
FlexFuel.
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.
(Continued)
Buick Envision Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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300 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.
To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door.
The cap is behind the fuel door on
the passenger side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise. While
refueling, hang the fuel cap from the
hook on the fuel door.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0371. When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks once. Make
sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0119.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
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
(Continued)
Buick Envision Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 301
Caution (Continued)
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0119.
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
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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.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
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0368. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0369.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing.
Buick Envision Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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308 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0119.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 076 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 077.
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Vehicle Care 309
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 310
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 310
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 316
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 318
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 323
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Battery - North America . . . . . . 326
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 328
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 328
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 329
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 330
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 332
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 333
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 333
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 356
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 364
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Vehicle Care 325
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0394.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0313 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: