2020 BUICK ENCORE ABS

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Driving and Operating 163
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
If equipped, this feature transfers
engine power, as required, to all
four wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle,
the system automatically detects the
compact spare and disables AWD to
protect the system. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display on the instrument
cluster. SeeVehicle Messages
0 112. To restore 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
0 244.
AWD will be disabled and the
message will display if there is
excessive wheel spin. When the
system cools down, AWD will be
restored.
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
0 105. ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing or feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
164 Driving and Operating
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light 0105. To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the
release button in as you move the
brake lever all the way down.
Caution
Driving 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.
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.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do 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
0141.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Vehicle Care 203
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0191 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
. Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up. .
A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system. When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See
Brake System Warning
Light 0105.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0263.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 4
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0272.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Vehicle Care 245
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.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery - North
America 0204.
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
(Continued)

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
252 Vehicle Care
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0272.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8 274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may
be damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
302 Index
IndexA
About Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 2
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 185
Additional Information
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 196
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 130, 132
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 56
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 52
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 100
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 176
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 204
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 163 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Armrest Front Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Index 307
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . 8
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 222
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 124
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Front Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . . . . . 101, 103
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 LATCH System
Replacing Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 126
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 105
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Check Engine (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 103
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 107
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 123 Lights (cont'd)
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 106
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 108
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274