Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Driving and Operating 181
(9,000 mi), whichever occurs first.
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus−Gasoline will help keep your
vehicle’s engine fuel deposit free
and performing optimally.
Filling the Tank (Capless
Fuel Fill)
An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates which side of the vehicle
the fuel door is on. SeeFuel Gauge
0 97.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
Follow these guidelines to help
avoid injuries to you and others:
. Read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel
pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Avoid using electronic
devices while refueling.
. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
. Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Before touching the fill
nozzle, touch a metallic
object to discharge static
electricity from your body.
. Fuel can spray out if the fill
nozzle is inserted too
quickly. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Insert the fill nozzle
slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop before
beginning to flow fuel.
To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door.
The capless refueling system does
not have a fuel cap. Fully insert and
latch the fill nozzle, begin fueling.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
(Continued)
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
182 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Fuel spills.
. Under certain conditions,
fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait
five seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the fill
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0252. Push the fuel
door closed until it latches.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the fill
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately. Filling the Tank with a Portable
Fuel Container
If the vehicle runs out of fuel and
must be filled from a portable fuel
container:
1. Locate the capless funnel
adapter.
2. Insert and latch the funnel into the capless fuel system.
{Warning
Attempting to refuel from a
portable fuel container without
using the funnel adapter may
cause fuel spillage and damage
the capless fuel system. This
could cause a fire. You or others
could be badly burned and the
vehicle could be damaged. 3. Remove and clean the funnel
adapter and return it to the
storage location.
Filling the Tank (Capped
Fuel Fill)
An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates which side of the vehicle
the fuel door is on. See Fuel Gauge
0 97.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
Follow these guidelines to help
avoid injuries to you and others:
. Read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel
pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
(Continued)
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Driving and Operating 183
Warning (Continued)
.Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Avoid using electronic
devices while refueling.
. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
. Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Before touching the fill
nozzle, touch a metallic
object to discharge static
electricity from your body.
. Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.
To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door.
Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise
to remove. When refueling, hang the
fuel cap from the hook on the fuel
door. Fully insert and latch the fill
nozzle, then begin fueling.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Under certain conditions,
fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait
five seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the fill
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0252. Reinstall the
cap by turning it clockwise until it
clicks. Push the fuel door closed
until it latches.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the fill
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
184 Driving and Operating
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, get
the right type of cap from your
dealer. The wrong type of fuel cap
may not fit properly, may turn on
the malfunction indicator lamp,
and could damage the fuel
system and emissions system.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light - Capless)
0 101 or
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light - Capped)
0 103.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You or others could be
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. To help avoid
injury to you and others:
. Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
. Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, in a pickup
bed, or on any surface other
than the ground.
. Bring the fill nozzle in
contact with the inside of
the fill opening before
operating the nozzle.
Maintain contact until filling
is complete.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not use electronic
devices while pumping fuel.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
{Warning
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle. It was not designed or
intended to tow a trailer.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Vehicle Care 225
Aspect Ratio:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
0 227. Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 147.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0147. GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0147.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure
:
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
Vehicle Care 227
government testing procedures.
The ratings are molded into the
sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading 0236.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The
number of designated seating
positions multiplied by
68 kg (150 lb) plus the rated
cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0147.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the
Tire
:Load on an individual tire
due to curb weight, accessory
weight, occupant weight, and
cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle
capacity weight and the original
equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” underVehicle
Load Limits 0147.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of
air pressure to operate
effectively.
{Warning
Neither tire underinflation nor
overinflation is good.
Underinflated tires, or tires
that do not have enough air,
can result in:
.Tire overloading and
overheating, which could
lead to a blowout.
.Premature or
irregular wear.
.Poor handling.
.Reduced fuel economy.
Overinflated tires, or tires that
have too much air, can
result in:
.Unusual wear.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Poor handling.
.Rough ride.
.Needless damage from
road hazards.
The Tire and Loading
Information label on the vehicle
indicates the original equipment
tires and the correct cold tire
inflation pressures. The
recommended pressure is the
minimum air pressure needed to
support the vehicle's maximum
load carrying capacity. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0147.
How the vehicle is loaded
affects vehicle handling and ride
comfort. Never load the vehicle
with more weight than it was
designed to carry.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
228 Vehicle Care
When to Check
Check the pressure of the tires
once a month or more. Do not
forget the compact spare, if the
vehicle has one. The cold
compact spare tire pressure
should be at 420 kPa (60 psi).
SeeCompact Spare Tire 0244.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure.
Proper tire inflation cannot be
determined by looking at the tire.
Check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold, meaning
the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours or no
more than 1.6 km (1 mi).
Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement.
If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label, no further adjustment is necessary.
If the inflation pressure is low,
add air until the recommended
pressure is reached. If the
inflation pressure is high, press
on the metal stem in the center
of the tire valve to release air.
Recheck the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Put the valve caps back on the
valve stems to keep out dirt and
moisture and prevent leaks. Use
only valve caps designed for the
vehicle by GM. TPMS sensors
could be damaged and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle. Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly
under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13710474) -
2020 - CRC - 10/7/19
254 Vehicle Care
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses, Emblems, Decals, and
Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth, and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps, lenses,
emblems, decals, and stripes.
Follow instructions under "Washing
the Vehicle" previously in this
section.
Lamp covers are made of plastic,
and some have a UV protective
coating. Do not clean or wipe them
when dry.
Do not use any of the following on
lamp covers:
.Abrasive or caustic agents.
. Washer fluids and other cleaning
agents in higher concentrations
than suggested by the
manufacturer.
. Solvents, alcohols, fuels,
or other harsh cleaners.
. Ice scrapers or other hard items. .
Aftermarket appearance caps or
covers while the lamps are
illuminated, due to excessive
heat generated.
Caution
Failure to clean lamps properly
can cause damage to the lamp
cover that would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black
finish stripes can increase the
gloss level and create a
non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and
water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes,
between the hood and windshield,
when washing the vehicle.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-free
cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and
a buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged. Damage can be
caused by extreme dusty
conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun,
snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply weatherstrip lubricant on
weatherstrips to make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak. Lubricate weatherstrips at
least once a year. Hot, dry climates
may require more frequent
application. Black marks from
rubber material on painted surfaces