2018 BUICK ENCORE check transmission fluid

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
160 Driving and Operating
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0180.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0178.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
198 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 199
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 200
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 209
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 210
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 215
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Battery - North America . . . . . . 219
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 220
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 220
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 221
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 222
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . 224
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 227
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 227
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 228
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 237
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
210 Vehicle Care
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
DIC message comes back on when
the vehicle is started, the engine oil
life system has not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed inMaintenance Schedule
0 278, and be sure to use the fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0286.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0203.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 278.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter with
water or compressed air.
To inspect or replace the air cleaner/
filter:
1.4L L4 Engine (LE2)

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
262 Vehicle Care
2. Discharged Battery PositiveTerminal
3. Good Battery Negative Terminal
4. Good Battery Positive Terminal
The jump start negative grounding
point (1) for the discharged battery
is the engine block or an engine
mounting bolt. Connect to a spot as
far away from the discharged
battery as possible.
The jump start positive terminal (2)
on the discharged battery is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.
The jump start negative terminal (3)
and positive terminal (4) are on the
battery of the vehicle providing the
jump start.
The positive jump start connection
for the discharged battery is under a
trim cover. Open the cover to
expose the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery
with a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in
P (Park) with an automatic
transmission, or Neutral with a
manual transmission.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting. 4. Turn the ignition off. Turn off all
lights and accessories in both
vehicles, except the hazard
warning flashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
282 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Change automatic transmission fluid.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels, or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2)
Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
Index 319
AutomaticDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
B
BatteryExterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Battery - North America . . . . 219, 261
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 221
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . .118
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 166
Bulb Replacement Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 227
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 225
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .199, 219, 261, Back Cover
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Management System . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 98
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 116
Check Engine Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 79
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 94
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 145 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11354409) - 2018 - crc - 11/8/17
Index 321
E
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 228
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 203
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Engine (cont'd)
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 175
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 304
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 138
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 210
First Aid Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 140
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 210
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Fog Lamps
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 122
Requirements, California . . . . . 194
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 228