Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14018934) - 2020 - CRC - 2/27/20
Vehicle Care 361
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes
(other than those originally
installed on the vehicle),
brands, tread patterns,
or types may cause loss of
control of the vehicle, resulting
in a crash or other vehicle
damage. Use the correct size,
brand, and type of tire on all
wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed rated
tires. Never exceed the winter
tires’ maximum speed capability
when using winter tires with a
lower speed rating.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires. The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 232.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
(Continued)
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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-
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Vehicle Care 363
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoorlaboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels may need
to be rebalanced. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or
corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and
wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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364 Vehicle Care
Some aluminum wheels can be
repaired. See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset, and be
mounted the same way as the one it
replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 371
The compact spare tire is for
temporary use only. Replace the
compact spare tire with a full-size
tire as soon as you can. See
Compact Spare Tire0371.
Compact Spare Tire
{Warning
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire, it was fully inflated when new;
however, it can lose air over time.
Check the inflation pressure
regularly. It should be 420 kPa
(60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after being installed on the
vehicle. The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary use only. The vehicle will perform differently
with the spare tire installed and it is
recommended that the vehicle
speed be limited to 80 km/h
(50 mph). To conserve the tread of
the spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,
the AWD (if equipped), ABS, and
Traction Control systems may
engage until the spare tire is
recognized by the vehicle,
especially on slippery roads. Adjust
driving to reduce possible
wheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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
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Index 435
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
LATCH SystemReplacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lighting
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 148
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .117
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . .118
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 121
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 145 Lights (cont'd)
Lane Keep Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . .113
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Service Electric Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 122
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 390 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 115
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Map Data Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Media Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . 162
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Messages Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Mirror Rear Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Mirrors Automatic DimmingRearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 439
Storage Areas (cont'd)Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 92
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
System Brake Pad Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Engine Air Filter Life . . . . . . . . . . 314
Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Global Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . 334, 335
Teen Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 409 Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 29
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 353
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 352
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Terminology and Definitions . . 349
Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 363
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Towing
Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 293
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 293
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 375
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Traction Control System(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . 120
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 334, 335