2018 BUICK ENCORE Rear end

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
148 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
1. Driver and Passenger HeatedSeats (If Equipped)
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. Air Delivery Modes
4. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
5. Defrost 6. Rear Window Defogger
7. Fan Controls
8. Air Conditioning or Comfort/
Eco Air Conditioning
9. Recirculation
10. Heated Steering Wheel (If Equipped) Climate Control Influence on Stop/
Start Operation and Fuel Economy
(If Equipped)
The climate control system depends
on other vehicle systems for heat
and power input. Certain climate
control settings can lead to higher
fuel usage and/or fewer auto stops.
The following are climate control
settings that use more fuel:
.
Comfort air conditioning mode.
. The defrost mode.
. Extreme temperature settings,
such as LO or HI.
. High fan speed settings.
To help reduce fuel usage:
. Use the full automatic control as
described under “Automatic
Operation” following.
. Use eco air conditioning, instead
of the comfort air conditioning.
. Select a temperature setting that
is higher in hot weather and
lower in cold weather.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
154 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . 155
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 159
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 160
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 166
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 175
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 184
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 194
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 163
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.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
size of the original equipmenttires (3) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (4).
For more information on tires
and inflation see
Tires0235
and Tire Pressure 0242.
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

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 177
Automatic Transmission
Adaptation Feature :While the
vehicle is being driven and gear
shifting takes place, the
transmission will learn and adapt.
This increases durability and
maintains the best shift quality of
the life of the vehicle.
During vehicle break-in (initial
driving), it is normal to experience
some shift bumps. Shift quality will
improve with the normal gear
shifting as the transmission learns
and adapts.
Operating Modes
The transmission may operate in a
lower gear than normal to improve
vehicle performance. The engine
speed may be higher and there may
be an increase in noise during the
following conditions:
. When climbing a grade.
. When driving downhill.
. When driving in hot
temperatures or at high altitude.Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
DSC allows you to shift an
automatic transmission similar to a
manual transmission. To use the
DSC feature:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual Mode).
While driving in manual mode,
the transmission will remain in
the driver selected gear. When
coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will
automatically shift into
1 (First) gear.
2. Press the + (plus) end of the button on the top of the shift
lever to upshift, or press the −
(minus) end of the button to
downshift.
The instrument cluster will change
from the currently displayed
message to the letter “M,”for
Manual position, and a number
indicating the requested gear.
While using the DSC feature, the
transmission will have firmer shifting
and sportier performance. This can
be used for sport driving or when
climbing hills to stay in gear longer
or to downshift for more power or
engine braking.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
184 Driving and Operating
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0125 orDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level) 0123.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the previous
set cruise control speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
moving the thumbwheel toward
SET/− will result in cruise set to the
current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well cruise control works on
hills depends on the vehicle speed,
load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you
might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. If the brake pedal is
applied, cruise control will
disengage.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.
To disengage cruise control,
step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
n.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. To turn off cruise control,
press
o.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
ois
pressed or if the vehicle is
turned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
The RVC can assist the driver when
backing up by displaying a view of
the area behind the vehicle.
{Warning
The camera(s) do not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object outside of the
cameras’ field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Shown distances may be different
from actual distances. Do not
drive or park the vehicle using
only these camera(s). Always
check behind and around the
vehicle before driving. Failure to
use proper care may result in
injury, death, or vehicle damage.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 185
An image appears on the
infotainment display when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
The previous screen displays when
the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse) after a short delay. To
return to the previous screen
sooner, press any button on the
infotainment display, shift into
P (Park), or reach a vehicle speed
of approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
Symbols and Guidelines
The RVC may have a guideline
overlay that can help the driver align
the vehicle when backing into a
parking spot. Select the guidance
lines button on the camera screen
to enable or disable the guidance
lines, or seeVehicle Personalization
0 128.
The RVC system may have a
feature that lets the driver view
parking assist symbols on the
infotainment screen while using the
RVC. The Rear Parking Assist
(RPA) system must not be disabled
to use the caution symbols. The
error message Rear Parking Assist
Symbols Unavailable may display if RPA has been disabled and the
symbols have been turned on. See
Parking Assist
0186.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
On vehicles with the RCTA, a
warning triangle with a left or right
pointing arrow may appear on the
infotainment display to warn of
traffic coming from the left or the
right. Three beeps will sound from
the speaker on that side. This
system detects objects coming from
up to 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.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.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 191
unsafe to change lanes. Before
making a lane change, check the
SBZA display, check mirrors, glance
over your shoulder, and use the turn
signals.
Left Side MirrorDisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror SBZA displays will
briefly come on to indicate the
system is operating. When the
vehicle is in a forward gear, the left-
or right-side mirror display will light
up if a moving vehicle is detected in
that blind zone. If the turn signal is
activated in the same direction of a
detected vehicle, this display will
flash as an extra warning not to
change lanes.
SBZA can be disabled through
vehicle personalization. See
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization 0128. If SBZA is disabled by the driver,
the SBZA mirror displays will not
light up.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
SBZA displays may not come on
when passing a vehicle quickly or
for a stopped vehicle. SBZA may
alert to objects attached to the
vehicle, such as a bicycle, or object
extending out to either side of the
vehicle. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service.
SBZA may not always alert the
driver to vehicles in the side blind
zone, especially in wet conditions.
The system does not need to be
serviced. The system may light up
due to guardrails, signs, trees,
shrubs, and other non-moving
objects. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service.
SBZA may not operate when the
SBZA sensors in the left or right
corners of the rear bumper are
covered with mud, dirt, snow, ice,
or slush, or in heavy rainstorms. For
cleaning instructions, see "Washing
the Vehicle" under
Exterior Care
0 267. If the DIC still displays the
system unavailable message after
cleaning both sides of the vehicle
toward the rear corners of the
vehicle, see your dealer.
If the SBZA displays do not light up
when vehicles are in the blind zone
and the system is clean, the system
may need service. Take the vehicle
to your dealer.
When SBZA is disabled for any
reason other than the driver turning
it off, the Side Blind Zone Alert On
option will not be available on the
personalization menu.
Radio Frequency Information
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 302.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
192 Driving and Operating
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may provide an alert if
the vehicle is crossing a lane
without using a turn signal in that
direction. LDW uses a camera
sensor to detect the lane markings
at speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or
greater.
{Warning
The LDW system does not steer
the vehicle. The LDW system
may not:. Provide enough time to
avoid a crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
dirt, snow, or ice; if they are
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
not in proper condition; or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marking. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LDW in
bad weather conditions.
How the System Works
The LDW camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LDW on and off, press
@on
the center stack, forward of the shift
lever. The control indicator will light
when LDW is on.
When LDW is on,@is green if
LDW is available to warn of a lane
departure. If the vehicle crosses a
detected lane marking without using
the turn signal in that direction,
@
changes to amber and flashes.
Additionally, there will be three
beeps on the right or left, depending
on the lane departure direction.