Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Climate Controls 181
3. MAX Defrost
4. Rear Window Defogger
5. Fan Control
6. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (IfEquipped)
7. Recirculation
8. A/C (Air Conditioning)
]: Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed or turn the fan off.
Temperature Control : Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature.
Air Delivery Mode Controls : Press
z,Y,
or
6to change the direction of the airflow.
The indicator light in the button will turn
on. Any combination of the three buttons
can be selected. The indicator light in the
button will turn on.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following:
z: Clears the windows of fog or moisture.
Air is directed to the windshield.
Y: Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
6: Air is directed to the floor outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed. Fog or
frost is cleared from the windshield more
quickly. When the button is pressed again,
the system returns to the previous mode
setting.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
A/C : Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. If the climate control
system is turned off or the outside
temperature falls below freezing, the air
conditioner will not run.
@: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle or
to reduce the entry of outside air and odors.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on.
The defogger can be turned off by turning
the ignition off or to ACC/ACCESSORY. If the vehicle is equipped with heated
outside mirrors, they turn on when the rear
window defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirror.
See
Heated Mirrors 026.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the driver or passenger seat. See
Heated Front Seats 040.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
182 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the
vehicle can be controlled with this system.1. Driver and Passenger Temperature
Controls
2. AUTO (Automatic Operation) 3. Fan Controls
4. MAX Defrost
5. Rear Window Defogger
6. SYNC (Synchronized Temperature)
7. Recirculation
8. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If
Equipped)
9. Air Delivery Mode Controls
10. ON/OFF (Power)
11. A/C (Air Conditioning)
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls the fan
speed, air delivery, air conditioning, and
recirculation in order to heat or cool the
vehicle to the desired temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all four functions operate
automatically. Each function can also be
manually set and the selected setting is
displayed.
Functions not manually set will continue to
be automatically controlled, even if the
AUTO indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation: 1. Press AUTO.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Climate Controls 183
2. Set the temperature, allow the systemtime to stabilize, and adjust the
temperature as needed.
Driver and Passenger Temperature Control :
The temperature can be adjusted separately
for the driver and the passenger. Turn the
knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the temperature.
SYNC : Press to link all climate zone settings
to the driver setting. The SYNC indicator
light will turn on. When the passenger
settings are adjusted, the SYNC indicator
light turns off.
Manual Operation
In addition to the controls on the center
stack; the fan, air delivery mode,
temperature, and other climate settings can
be controlled by touching CLIMATE on the
infotainment Home Page or the climate
button in the application tray.
ON/OFF : Press to turn the fan off or on.
When off, no air will flow into the vehicle.
Turning the fan on, pressing any other
button, or turning a knob will turn the
system back on using the current setting.
9: Press to increase or decrease the fan
speed. The fan speed setting appears on the
main display. Pressing either button cancels
automatic fan control and the fan is
controlled manually. Press AUTO to return
to automatic operation.
Air Delivery Mode Controls : Press any
combination of
z,Y, or6to change the
direction of the airflow. The indicator light
in the button will turn on. The current mode
appears in the display screen.
Pressing any of the three buttons cancels
automatic air delivery control and the
direction of the airflow is controlled
manually. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following:
z: Clears the windows of fog or moisture.
Air is directed to the windshield.
Y: Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
6: Air is directed to the floor outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed. Fog or
frost is cleared from the windshield more quickly. When the button is pressed again,
the system returns to the previous mode
setting.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
A/C :
Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. If the climate control
system is turned off or the outside
temperature falls below freezing, the air
conditioner will not run.
Pressing this button cancels automatic air
conditioning and turns off the air
conditioner. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. When the
indicator light is on, the air conditioner runs
automatically to cool the air inside the
vehicle or to dry the air needed to defog
the windshield faster.
@: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle or
to reduce the entry of outside air and odors.
Auto Defog : The climate control system
may have a sensor to automatically detect
high humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply and
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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184 Climate Controls
turn on the air conditioner. The fan speed
may slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control system does
not detect possible window fogging, it
returns to normal operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, see“Climate
and Air Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0114.
Ionizer
If equipped with an ionizer, this feature
helps to clean the air inside the vehicle and
remove contaminants such as pollen, odors,
and dust. If the climate control system is on
and the ionizer is enabled, Ionizer On will be
displayed. To turn the ionizer on or off, see
“Climate and Air Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0114.
Rear Window Defogger
K:Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on. The defogger only works
when the ignition is on.
The defogger can be turned off by turning
the ignition to off or ACC/ACCESSORY. The rear window defogger can be set to
automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air
Quality” underVehicle Personalization 0114.
When auto rear defog is selected, the rear
window defogger turns on automatically
when the interior temperature is cold and
the outside temperature is about 5 °C (41 °F)
and below. The Auto Rear Defogger turns off
automatically.
If the vehicle is equipped with heated
outside mirrors, they turn on when the rear
window defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirror. See Heated Mirrors 026
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the driver or passenger seat. See
Heated Front Seats 040. Remote Start Climate Control Operation (If
Equipped) :
If the vehicle is equipped with
the remote start feature, the climate control
system may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. The system uses the driver’s
previous settings to heat or cool the inside
of the vehicle. The rear defog may come on
during remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. If the vehicle has heated seats,
they may come on during a remote start.
See Remote Vehicle Start 013 and
Heated Front Seats 040.
Sensors
The solar sensor on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield monitors the solar
heat. The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed, recirculation, and air
delivery mode for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Air Vents
Use the louvers located on the air vents to
change the direction of the airflow.
To open or close off the airflow:
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Climate Controls 185
.Move slider knobs away from the
occupant for shut off closing.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from
air inlets at the base of the windshield
that could block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle, which may
improve long term system performance.
.Keep the path under the front seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside
of the vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system. Check with your dealer
before adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
.Do not attach any devices to the air vent
slats. This restricts airflow and may cause
damage to the air vents.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics and
painted surfaces. If an air freshener
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
comes in contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle, blot
immediately and clean with a soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter reduces dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle. The filter should be
replaced as part of routine scheduled
maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule 0323.
See your dealer regarding replacement of
the filter.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood that
identifies the refrigerant used in the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only be
serviced by trained and certified technicians.
The air conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a salvage vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting
refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is
harmful to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires periodic
maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule
0 323.
Caution
Damage caused by improper refrigerant
usage could lead to costly repairs and
may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Refrigerant systems should
only be serviced by qualified personnel.
Always use the correct refrigerant.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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192 Driving and Operating
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0210.
.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) 0208.
.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 0207.
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
0 342. 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.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.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 0204.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
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Driving and Operating 199
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature
causes the engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit the vehicle
before shifting to P (Park). The vehicle
may restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the vehicle
is at a complete stop, the engine may turn
off. When stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. SeeTachometer093. When the
brake pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will restart.
To maintain vehicle performance, other
conditions may cause the engine to
automatically restart before the brake pedal
is released.
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 transmission is shifted out of
D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
.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
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 the indicator above
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.
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206 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is
stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get
out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging
the transmission, see If the Vehicle Is Stuck
0 193
N : In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while the engine is running at
high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral)
with the engine running at high speed
may damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting
the vehicle.
Caution
A transmission hot message may display
if the automatic transmission fluid is
too hot.
Driving under this condition can damage
the vehicle. Stop and idle the engine to
cool the automatic transmission fluid.
This message clears when the
transmission fluid has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing, press
the accelerator pedal down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears, the
transmission could be damaged. Have the
vehicle serviced right away.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission.
The repair will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on
a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle
in place.
L : Allows the driver to select the range of
gear positions. See Manual Mode0207.
Operating Modes
The transmission may operate in a lower
gear than normal to improve vehicle
performance. The engine speed may be
higher and there may be an increase in
noise during the following conditions:
.When climbing a grade.
.When driving downhill.