Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
316 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.
Shutter System
The vehicle may have a shutter system
designed to help improve fuel economy.
Keep the shutter system clear of debris,snow and ice. If the check engine light is
activated, please check to see if the shutter
system is clear of debris, snow or ice.
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 can be removed
by rubbing with a clean cloth. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0331.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
322 Service and Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Special Application Services
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Additional Maintenance and Care
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . 328
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . 331
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . 332
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
General Information
Your vehicle is an important investment.
This section describes the required
maintenance for the vehicle. Follow this
schedule to help protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may also help to
maintain the value of the vehicle if it is
sold. It is the responsibility of the owner to
have all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians who can
perform required maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have up-to-date
tools and equipment for fast and accurate
diagnostics. Many dealers have extended
evening and Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online scheduling to
assist with service needs.
Your dealer recognizes the importance of
providing competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained technicians,
the dealer is the place for routine
maintenance such as oil changes and tire
rotations and additional maintenance items
like tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper maintenance
can lead to costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids, and
lubricants are important to keep the
vehicle in good working condition.
Do not have chemical flushes that are not
approved by GM performed on the
vehicle. The use of flushes, solvents,
cleaners, or lubricants that are not
approved by GM could damage the
vehicle, requiring expensive repairs that
are not covered by the vehicle warranty.
The Tire Rotation and Required Services are
the responsibility of the vehicle owner. It is
recommended to have your dealer perform
these services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep
the vehicle in good working condition,
improves fuel economy, and reduces vehicle
emissions.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Service and Maintenance 325
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services. Check engine oil
level and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed.
Check engine air filter life percentage and status. Change
engine air filter, if needed. (1)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (2)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (3)@ @@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires and/or boots.@ @
Change rear axle fluid, if equipped with AWD. (4)@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (5)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (6)@
Replace brake fluid. (7)
Replace front and rear wiper blades. (8)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts. (9)@ @
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (10)
Replace oil pump drive belt and timing belt. (LIH 1.2L L3
Engine Only). (11)
@
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
326 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services - Normal
(1) Or every four years, whichever comes
first. If driving in dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each oil change or more often
as needed. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 261.
(2) Or every two years, whichever comes
first. More frequent passenger compartment
air filter replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic, poor air
quality, high dust levels, or environmental
allergens. Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if there is
reduced airflow, window fogging, or odors.
Your GM dealer can help determine when to
replace the filter. (3)
Visually check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper attachment,
connection, routing, and condition.
(4) Do not directly power wash the transfer
case and/or front/rear axle output seals.
High pressure water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer case fluid.
Contaminated fluid will decrease the life of
the transfer case and/or axles and should be
replaced.
(5) Or every five years, whichever comes
first. See Cooling System 0262.
(6) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
Inspect for fraying, excessive cracking,
or damage; replace, if needed. (7)
Replace brake fluid every five years. See
Brake Fluid 0269.
(8) Or every 12 months, whichever comes
first. See Wiper Blade Replacement 0272.
(9) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
See Gas Strut(s) 0274.
(10) Replace air conditioning desiccant every
seven years.
(11) The oil pump drive belt and the timing
belt on the LIH engine must be replaced at
150,000 miles (240,000 km) or 15 years,
whichever comes first.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Service and Maintenance 327
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services. Check engine oil
level and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed.
Check engine air filter life percentage and status. Change
engine air filter, if needed. (1)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (2)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (3)@ @@
Change automatic transmission fluid. (9 Speed
Transmission Only)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter. (Continuously
Variable Ratio Transmission (CVT) Only)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires and/or boots.@ @
Change rear axle fluid, if equipped with AWD. (4)@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (5)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (6)@
Replace brake fluid. (7)
Replace front and rear wiper blades. (8)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts. (9)@@
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (10)
Replace oil pump drive belt and timing belt. (LIH 1.2L L3
Engine Only). (11)
@
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
328 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services - Severe
(1) Or every four years, whichever comes
first. If driving in dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each oil change or more often
as needed. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 261.
(2) Or every two years, whichever comes
first. More frequent passenger compartment
air filter replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic, poor air
quality, high dust levels, or environmental
allergens. Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if there is
reduced airflow, window fogging, or odors.
Your GM dealer can help determine when to
replace the filter.
(3) Visually check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper attachment,
connection, routing, and condition.
(4) Do not directly power wash the transfer
case and/or front/rear axle output seals.
High pressure water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer case fluid.
Contaminated fluid will decrease the life of
the transfer case and/or axles and should be
replaced. (5)
Or every five years, whichever comes
first. See Cooling System 0262.
(6) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
Inspect for fraying, excessive cracking,
or damage; replace, if needed.
(7) Replace brake fluid every five years. See
Brake Fluid 0269.
(8) Or every 12 months, whichever comes
first. See Wiper Blade Replacement 0272.
(9) Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
See Gas Strut(s) 0274.
(10) Replace air conditioning desiccant every
seven years.
(11) The oil pump drive belt and the timing
belt on the LIH engine must be replaced at
150,000 miles (240,000 km) or 15 years,
whichever comes first.
Special Application Services
.Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only:
Lubricate chassis components every oil
change.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed. See "Underbody Maintenance"
in Exterior Care 0314.
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Your vehicle is an important investment and
caring for it properly may help to avoid
future costly repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional maintenance
services may be required.
It is recommended that your dealer perform
these services —their trained dealer
technicians know your vehicle best. Your
dealer can also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point inspection to
recommend when your vehicle may need
attention.
The following list is intended to explain the
services and conditions to look for that may
indicate services are required.
Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any additional
electrical accessories.
.To avoid break-down or failure to start
the vehicle, maintain a battery with full
cranking power.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Index 359
AudioBluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Auto Stop Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . 272
Auxiliary Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . . 137
B
Battery Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . 127
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . 270, 308
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Brake
Electric Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Brake (cont'd)
Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Automatic Emergency (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Braking System
Front Pedestrian (FPB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Bulb Replacement Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps . . . . . . 276
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps . . . . . 275
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277, 280
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . 252
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252, 270, 308, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Check
Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 97
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Index 365
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Perchlorate Materials Requirements,California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Phone
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . 163
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Positioning Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Problems with Route Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Program
Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252, 270, 308,
Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 346
R
Radio HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Radio Data System (RDS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Rear Compartment/Storage Panel Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Recognition Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Recommended
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 331
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . .7
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . 203
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190