
Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
176 Driving and Operating .
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{ WarningSnow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.
Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
.
Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued) Warning (Continued) .
Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “ Climate
Control Systems. ”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0 190 .
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel. If the Vehicle Is Stuck Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 200 .
{ WarningIf the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See Driver Mode Control
0 202 and
All-Wheel Drive 0 197 .

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 177Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
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,
see Towing the Vehicle 0 313 .
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 Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
192 Driving and Operating P : This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{ WarningIt is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not
in P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine
has been left running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park). See
Shifting Into Park 0 186 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0 234 . This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift
lock release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting out of
P (Park) unless the ignition is on,
the brake pedal is applied, and the
shift lock release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off
the vehicle. The transmission will
shift to P (Park) automatically unless
the vehicle is in N (Neutral). See
“ Car Wash Mode ” later in this
section.
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop
the vehicle and shift into P (Park). To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park 0 186 and
Shifting out of Park 0 187 .
SERVICE SHIFTER SEE OWNER ’ S
MANUAL Message
When this message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the
shift lever needs service. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible. If the vehicle is
automatically shifting into P (Park),
check to see if the P (Park) button
on top of the shift lever is stuck. To
operate the vehicle, hold the shift
lever in the desired gear,
R (Reverse) or D (Drive), until
vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h (10 mph), then release the
shift lever.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from
D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the
speed is too high, the vehicle will
shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the
vehicle speed and try the shift
again.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 193Shifting into R (Reverse) requires
the shift lock release button to be
pressed and held.
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a
complete stop.
2. Press and hold the shift lock
release button on the side of
the shift lever.
3. From the center position, move
the shift lever forward, and
then to the left. R will illuminate
in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center
position.
To shift out of R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a
complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center
position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the
transmission. See If the Vehicle Is
Stuck 0 176 .
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{ WarningShifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
(Continued) Caution (Continued) damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to stay
in N (Neutral) for extended periods
of time. It will automatically shift into
P (Park).
To shift into N (Neutral):
1. From the center position, move
the shift lever forward.
.
If the vehicle is in P (Park),
apply the brake pedal and
press the shift lock release
button while moving the
shift lever forward.
.
N will illuminate in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center
position.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
196 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode Electronic Range Select (ERS)
CautionDriving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Manual Mode, could damage the
vehicle. Always upshift when
necessary while using
Manual Mode.
Electronic Range Select (ERS),
or Manual Mode, allows for the
selection of the range of gear positions. Use this mode when
driving downhill or towing a trailer to
limit the top gear and vehicle speed.
The shift position indicator within the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display a number next to the L
indicating the highest available gear.
To enter Electronic Range Select or
Manual Mode:
1. With the vehicle in D (Drive),
pull back on the shift lever to
activate L (Low). The L in the
shift pattern will illuminate in
red, and the D will switch to
white.
2. Tap the left steering wheel
control to reduce the highest
gear available, or the right
control to increase the highest
gear available.
3. To exit, pull back on the shift
lever a second time. The D in
the shift pattern will illuminate
in red, and the L will switch to
white.
When shifting to L (Low), the
transmission will shift to a preset
lower gear range. For this preset range, the highest gear available
will be displayed next to the L in the
DIC. All gears below that number
are available to use. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to
the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth)
gears are shifted automatically. To
shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, tap the right
steering wheel control or shift into D
(Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a
lower gear range if the engine
speed is too high. If the vehicle
speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift
will not be completed. Slow the
vehicle, then tap the left steering
wheel control to the desired lower
gear range.
Cruise control can be used while
in ERS.
Tow/Haul Mode This feature can assist when towing
or hauling a heavy load. To activate
Tow/Haul Mode, see Driver Mode
Control 0 202 .

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 197
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive Vehicles with this feature can
operate in AWD Mode.
Press the button to select All-Wheel
Drive (AWD). The AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed. See
Driver Mode Control 0 202 .
When operated in FWD, the vehicle
will deliver power to the front wheels
only and may provide better fuel
economy.
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.
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. See Compact Spare Tire
0 309 .Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and the brake pedal may move
slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 125 .

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Driving and Operating 199If the
8 light is on, press the EPB
switch and hold it. Continue to hold
the switch until the
Y or PARK
light remains on. If the
8 light
remains on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pressed. If the switch is pressed
until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake
pedal. 3. Press the EPB switch
momentarily.
The EPB is released when the
Yor PARK light is off.
If the
8 light is on, release the EPB
by pressing and holding the EPB
switch. Continue to hold the switch
until the
Y or PARK light is off.
If either light stays on after release
is attempted, see your dealer.
CautionDriving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
If parking on a hill, or if the vehicle
is pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 234 .
Brake Assist Brake Assist detects rapid brake
pedal applications due to
emergency braking situations and
provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) if the brake pedal is not
pushed hard enough to activate
ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal
movement during this time may
occur. Continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13527524) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
200 Driving and Operating
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{ WarningDo not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely.
You may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving 0 166 . When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
prevents the vehicle from rolling in
an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release
to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator
pedal is applied. If the accelerator
pedal is not applied within a few
minutes, the Electric Parking Brake
will apply. The brakes may also
release under other conditions. Do
not rely on HSA to hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade
for HSA to activate. Ride Control Systems Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control System Operation The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel slip and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the