2020 BUICK ENCORE GX climate control

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Driving and Operating 225
Safe driver behavior and
understanding of the environment
can help avoid a rollover crash in
any type of vehicle, including utility
vehicles.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. On AWD vehicles, see All-Wheel
Drive 0250.
. Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control. .
Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
. Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area. To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
.
Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Driving and Operating 231
.Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0254.
. 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) 0251.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
. Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See All-Wheel Drive
0 250.Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0410. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow 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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
. 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 0246.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
240 Driving and Operating
Auto Stops may not occur and/or
auto restarts may occur because:
.The climate control settings
require the engine to be running
to cool or heat the vehicle
interior.
. The vehicle battery charge
is low.
. The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
. Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop.
. The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range.
. The vehicle is in any gear other
than D (Drive).
. Tow/Haul Mode or other driver
modes have been selected.
. The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade. .
The driver door has been
opened or driver seat belt has
been unbuckled.
. The hood has been opened.
. The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch
If equipped, the automatic engine
stop/start feature can be disabled
and enabled by pressing the switch
with the
hsymbol. Auto Stop is
enabled each time you start the
vehicle. When
his illuminated, the system
is disabled.
Winter Cover
If equipped, the winter cover can be
used to enhance heater
performance in extremely cold
conditions below −0 °C (32 °F). The
winter cover installs over the grille
and restricts airflow to the engine
compartment.
Usage Guidelines
The winter cover should only be
used while operating the vehicle in
extremely cold temperatures or in
heavy snow for extended periods. In
these temperatures, the vehicle
does not need a large amount of air
to properly cool the engine. When
more airflow is required to cool the
vehicle, the winter cover should not
be used. The following usage
guidelines will allow adequate
airflow for proper radiator and air
cooler performance:

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
294 Driving and Operating
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
If the transmission downshifts
too often, a lower gear may be
selected using Manual Mode
See Manual Mode 0249.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Park Assist
. Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
. Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
. Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0246.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must be all be rated to
carry the intended cargo.
Inadequate trailer equipment can
cause the combination to operate in
an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
362 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0360 and
Accessories and Modifications
0 305.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Index 431
Carbon MonoxideEngine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Management System . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 93
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 115
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 74
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86, 88
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 216
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 413
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Connected Services
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Connections
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 427
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Controls
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . .112
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216, 218 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . 182
Covers
Rear Compartment/StoragePanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 258
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 409 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Customer Information Publications Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
432 Index
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 413
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 419
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 418
Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 428
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Door Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 405
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 250, 327
Driver Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 270 Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 127
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 278
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 225
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 230
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 232
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 252
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 118
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 338
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 308
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 247
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
438 Index
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 412
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How to Wear Seat BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 59
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 58
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 43
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 42
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 86, 88
Security
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Service (cont'd)
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 216
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 305
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 401
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 412
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Servicing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Shifting
Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . 285
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 334, 335
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Software Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Spare Tire
Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Special Application Services . . . . 395
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
StabiliTrak
OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . 154
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 334, 335
Storage Areas
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Cargo Management System . . . . 95
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Rear Compartment/StoragePanel Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93