Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14608036) - 2021 - CRC - 9/21/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 7
The key inside the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter is used for the driver door.
To remove the key, press the button on the
bottom of the RKE transmitter and pull the
key out. Never pull the key out without
pressing the button.
If it becomes difficult to turn the key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
See your dealer if a new key is needed.
Contact Roadside Assistance if locked out of
the vehicle. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
0 342.
With an active OnStar or connected service
plan, an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar Overview
0 350.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
See Radio Frequency Statement 0347.
If there is a decrease in the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter operating range:
.Check the distance. The transmitter may
be too far from the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other vehicles or
objects may be blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery. See
“Battery Replacement” later in this
section.
.If the transmitter is still not working
correctly, see your dealer.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
The Keyless Access system allows for vehicle
entry when the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft). See “Keyless
Access Operation” following.
The RKE transmitter functions may work up
to 60 m (197 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can impact the
performance of the transmitter. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System 07.
With Power Liftgate and Remote Start
Shown
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
heard. Passive locking will then remain
disabled until
Qon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle is turned on.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and an RKE
transmitter is left in the vehicle, the horn
will chirp three times after all doors are
closed. To turn on or off see Vehicle
Personalization 0114.
Remote No Longer in Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on with a door open, and
then all doors are closed, the vehicle will
check for RKE transmitters inside. If an RKE
transmitter is not detected, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display NO
REMOTE DETECTED and the horn will chirp
three times. This occurs only once each time
the vehicle is driven.
Keyless Liftgate Opening
Press the touch pad on the liftgate handle
to open the liftgate if the RKE transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft).
Key Access
To access a vehicle with a weak transmitter
battery, see Door Locks015.
Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the
vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or
stolen, a replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer. The
vehicle can be reprogrammed so that lost or
stolen transmitters no longer work. Each
vehicle can have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Programming with Recognized Transmitters
A new transmitter can be programmed to
the vehicle when there are two recognized
transmitters.
To program, the vehicle must be off and all
of the transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be with you.
1. Place the two recognized transmitters in transmitter pocket.
2. Insert the vehicle key of the new transmitter into the key lock cylinder on
the outside of the driver door and turn
the key to the unlock position five times
within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #2,
3, 4, ETC.
3. Remove the two recognized transmittersfrom transmitter pocket. Place the new
transmitter in transmitter pocket.
4. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press the
transmitter
KorQbutton.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 3–5.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
6. Put the key back into the transmitter.
7. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. SeeDoor Locks 015.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized transmitters are
not available, follow this procedure to
program up to eight transmitters. This
feature is not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must
be off and all of the transmitters you wish
to program must be with you. 1. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle. See Door Locks015.
Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter
into the key lock cylinder on the driver
door handle and turn the key,
counterclockwise, to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO
LEARN and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC display will again show REMOTE
LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT. 3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After
the third time all previously known
transmitters will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters can be
relearned during the next steps.
The DIC display should now show READY
FOR REMOTE # 1.
4. Place the new transmitter in transmitterpocket.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter. 6. Remove the transmitter from the
transmitter pocket and press the
transmitter
KorQbutton.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
7. Put the key back into the transmitter.
8. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 015.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
For improved vehicle security, the RKE
transmitter is equipped with a motion
sensor. When starting the vehicle, if the
transmitter has been idle for a while, move
the transmitter slightly and try starting the
vehicle. When starting the vehicle, if the
transmitter battery is depleted or there is
signal interference, the DIC may display NO
REMOTE DETECTED, REPLACE BATTERY IN KEY,
or NO REMOTE DETECTED PLACE KEY IN KEY
POCKET THEN START YOUR VEHICLE, follow
the steps shown below.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To start the vehicle:
1. Place the transmitter in the transmitterpocket, with the buttons facing the front
of the vehicle.
2. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), press the brake pedal and
ENGINE START/STOP.
Replace the transmitter battery as soon
as possible.
Battery Replacement
{Warning
Never allow children to play with the RKE
transmitter. The transmitter contains a
small battery, which can be a choking
hazard. If swallowed, internal burns can
occur, resulting in severe injury or death.
Seek medical attention immediately if a
battery is swallowed.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury, do not touch
metal surfaces on the RKE transmitter
when it has been exposed to extreme
heat. These surfaces can be hot to the
touch at temperatures above 59 °C
(138 °F).
Caution
When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could damage the
transmitter.
Caution
Always replace the battery with the
correct type. Replacing the battery with
an incorrect type could potentially create
a risk of battery explosion. Dispose of
used batteries according to instructions
and local laws. Do not attempt to burn,
crush, or cut the used battery, and avoid
exposing the battery to environments
with extremely low air pressures or high
temperatures.
Replace the battery in the transmitter soon
if the DIC displays REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 13
To replace the battery:
1. Press the button on the bottom of theRKE transmitter to remove the key.
Never pull the key out without pressing
the button.
2. Insert a flat, thin object and remove theback cover.
3. Lift the battery with a flat object.
4. Remove the battery. 5. Insert the new battery, positive side
toward the back cover. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
6. Push together the transmitter.
7. Insert the key back into the RKE transmitter.
Remote Vehicle Start
The vehicle has a remote starting feature
that starts the engine from outside of the
vehicle.
/:This button is on the RKE transmitter.
Laws in some communities may restrict the
use of remote starters. For example, some
laws may require a person using the remote
start to have the vehicle in view when doing
so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if the
vehicle is low on fuel. The vehicle could run
out of fuel.
The RKE transmitter range may be less while
the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the performance
of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System 07.
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16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To replace the cap:1. Position the bottom edge of the cap under the lower edge of the metal
piece (2). The tabs (3) attach to the
metal piece (2) at the positions (1).
2. Rotate the cap upward and install into place.
3. Check that the cap is secure.
Free-Turning Locks
The door key lock cylinder turns freely when
either the wrong key is used, or the correct
key is not fully inserted. The free-turning
door lock feature prevents the lock from
being forced open. To reset the lock, turn it
to the vertical position with the correct key
fully inserted. Remove the key and insert it
again. If this does not reset the lock, turn
the key halfway around in the cylinder and
repeat the reset procedure.
Power Door Locks
Q: Press to lock the doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the locking of the doors
until five seconds after all doors are closed.
Delayed locking can only be turned on when
the Open Door Anti-Lockout feature has
been turned off.
When
Qis pressed on the power door lock
switch while the door is open, a chime will
sound three times indicating delayed locking
is active.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn off the
alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle using the Keyless
Access system.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter or use the Keyless Access
system.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn chirps and the
lights flash three times, the alarm was
activated while the alarm system was
armed.
If the alarm system has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0347.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent
system.
The system does not have to be manually
armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically immobilized
when the vehicle is turned off.
The immobilization system is disarmed
when the ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and a valid transmitter is
present in the vehicle.
The security light in the instrument cluster
comes on if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more RKE
transmitters matched to an immobilizer
control unit in the vehicle. Only a correctly
matched RKE transmitter will start the
vehicle. If the transmitter is ever damaged,
the vehicle may not start. When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light may come on briefly when the
ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the security
light stays on, there is a problem with the
system. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the vehicle will not change ignition
modes, and the RKE transmitter appears to
be undamaged, try another transmitter. Or,
try placing the transmitter into the
transmitter pocket located in the center
console. See Starting the Vehicle With a Low
Transmitter Battery under
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
If the ignition mode will not change with
the other transmitter or with a transmitter
in the transmitter pocket, your vehicle needs
service. If the ignition does change modes,
the first transmitter may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the theft-deterrent
system and have a new RKE transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
It is possible for the immobilizer system to
learn new or replacement RKE transmitters.
Up to eight transmitters can be
programmed for the vehicle. To program
additional transmitters, see Programming
Transmitters to the Vehicle under Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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48 Seats and Restraints
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt height
adjuster for the driver and front outboard
passenger seating positions.
Adjust the height so the shoulder portion of
the belt is on the shoulder and not falling
off of it. The belt should be close to, but not
contacting, the neck. Improper shoulder belt
height adjustment could reduce the
effectiveness of the seat belt in a crash. See
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly044.
To move the shoulder belt height adjuster
down, push up on the release button and
move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the height adjuster
up by pushing up on the shoulder belt
guide.
After the adjuster is set to the desired
position, try to move it down without
pushing the release button to make sure it
has locked into position.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has seat belt pretensioners for
front outboard occupants. Although the seat
belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they are
part of the seat belt assembly. They can
help tighten the seat belts during the early
stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near
frontal, or rear crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner activation are
met. Seat belt pretensioners can also help
tighten the seat belts in a side crash or a
rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash, the
pretensioners and probably other parts of
the vehicle’s seat belt system will need to
be replaced. See
Replacing Seat Belt System
Parts after a Crash 050. Do not sit on the outboard seat belt while
entering or exiting the vehicle or at any
time while sitting in the seat. Sitting on the
seat belt can damage the webbing and
hardware.
Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may provide
added seat belt comfort for older children
who have outgrown booster seats and for
some adults. When installed on a shoulder
belt, the comfort guide positions the
shoulder belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through your
dealer for the rear outboard seating
positions. Instructions are included with the
guide.
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone, including
pregnant women. Like all occupants, they
are more likely to be seriously injured if
they do not wear seat belts.