Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
274 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinges, unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface. See“Finish Care”
previously in this section.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
282 Service and Maintenance
rubber boots, loose or missing
parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. SeeExterior Care
0 270.
. Inspect power steering for
proper attachment, connections,
binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
. Visually inspect halfshafts and
drive shafts for excessive wear,
lubricant leaks, and/or damage
including: tube dents or cracks,
constant velocity joint or
universal joint looseness,
cracked or missing boots, loose
or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness,
loose or missing fasteners, and
axle seal leaks.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 067.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
. Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts. .
Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0270.
. Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check 0223.
. Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check
0223.
. Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 223.
. Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
. Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. If the hold
open is low, service the gas
strut. See Gas Strut(s) 0225.
. Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof045.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Service and Maintenance 287
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0289 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163005) - 2019 - crc - 9/17/18
Index 329
SeatsAdjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 50
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 50
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Underseat Storage . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 94, 96
Security OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 147
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 203
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 291
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 292
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 301
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Shift Lock Control Function
Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . 192
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Special Application Services . . . . 286
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Storage Areas Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Cargo ManagementSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Underseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . 100
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146, 308
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186