2021 BUICK ENCORE brakes

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
184 Driving and Operating
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. SeeAntilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 083.
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.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake: 1. Hold the regular brake pedal down.
2. Pull up firmly on the parking brake handle without pressing the release
button. 3. The brake system warning light will
come on, if the ignition is on. See Brake
System Warning Light 082.
To release the parking brake: 1. Hold the regular brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up until the release button can be pressed easily.
3. Hold the release button while lowering the brake handle all the way down.
4. The brake system warning light will turn off, if the ignition is on.
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.
Driving with the parking brake applied will
cause a warning chime to sound and a
Driver Information Center (DIC) message
may display. Release the parking brake or
stop the vehicle.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Driving and Operating 185
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. SeeDefensive Driving
0 165.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) temporarily prevents the
vehicle from rolling in an unintended
direction during the transition from brake pedal release to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator pedal is
applied or automatically release after a few
seconds. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning wheels
and reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path.
If cruise control is being used and traction
control or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit
wheel spin, cruise control will disengage.
Cruise control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0169 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Driving and Operating 187
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) or StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system that begins to limit
wheel spin while using cruise control and
the cruise control will automatically
disengage. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0185. If a collision alert
occurs when cruise control is activated,
cruise control is disengaged. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System 0192. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, cruise control can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.
o: Press to turn the cruise control system
on or off. A white indicator comes in the
instrument cluster when cruise is turned on.
RES/+ : If there is a set speed in memory,
move the thumbwheel up briefly to resume
to that speed or hold upward to accelerate.
If cruise control is already active, use to
increase vehicle speed.
SET/− :Move the thumbwheel down briefly
to set the speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already active, use to
decrease speed.
n: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory. Setting Cruise Control
If
ois on when not in use, SET/−
or RES/+
could get bumped and go into cruise when
not desired. Keep
ooff when cruise control
is not being used.
To set a speed:
1. Press
oto turn cruise control on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel down toward SET/− and release it.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after cruise
control has been set to the desired speed.
See Instrument Cluster 076.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed
and then the brakes are applied or
nis
pressed, the cruise control is disengaged
without erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed is about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or greater, move the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly. The vehicle returns
to the previously set speed.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Driving and Operating 189
Warning (Continued)
Failure to use proper care when driving
may result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. SeeDefensive Driving 0165.
Under many conditions, these systems
will not:
.Detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals.
.Detect vehicles or objects outside the
area monitored by the system.
.Work at all driving speeds.
.Warn you or provide you with enough
time to avoid a crash.
.Work under poor visibility or bad
weather conditions.
.Work if the detection sensor is not
cleaned or is covered by ice, snow,
mud, or dirt.
.Work if the detection sensor is
covered up, such as with a sticker,
magnet, or metal plate.
.Work if the area surrounding the
detection sensor is damaged or not
properly repaired. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Complete attention is always required
while driving, and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes and/or
steer the vehicle to avoid crashes.
Audible Alert
Some driver assistance features alert the
driver of obstacles by beeping. To change
the volume of the warning chime, see
“Comfort and Convenience” underVehicle
Personalization (8 Inch Screen) 089 or
Vehicle Personalization (7 Inch Screen) 094.
Cleaning
Depending on vehicle options, keep these
areas of the vehicle clean to ensure the best
driver assistance feature performance. Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages may
display when the systems are unavailable or
blocked.
.Front and rear bumpers and the area
below the bumpers
.Front grille and headlamps
.Front camera lens in the front grille or
near the front emblem

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
192 Driving and Operating
The indicator light in the button comes on
when the system is turned on.
When the system is off, the indicator light
in the button is off or PARK ASSIST OFF
briefly displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
FRPA defaults to the on setting each time
the vehicle is started.
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the FRPA system does not activate due to
a temporary condition, a message may
display on the DIC. This can occur under the
following conditions:
.The driver has disabled the system.
.The sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle's bumpers free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice, and slush. For cleaning instructions,
seeExterior Care 0258.
.The Park Assist sensors are covered by
frost or ice. Frost or ice can form around
and behind the sensors and may not
always be seen; this can occur after
washing the vehicle in cold weather. The
message may not clear until the frost or
ice has melted.
.An object was hanging out of the liftgate
during the last drive cycle. Once the
object is removed, FRPA will return to
normal operation.
.An object or cover is attached to the front
of the vehicle.
.The bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer to repair the system.
.Other conditions, such as vibrations from
a jackhammer or the compression of air
brakes on a very large truck, are affecting
system performance.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System
If equipped, the FCA system may help to
avoid or reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes. When approaching a
vehicle ahead too quickly, FCA provides a
red flashing alert on the windshield and
rapidly beeps.
FCA detects vehicles within a distance of
approximately 60 m (197 ft) and operates at
speeds above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and does not
apply the brakes. When approaching a
slower-moving or stopped vehicle ahead
too rapidly, or when following a vehicle
too closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help avoid
a crash. It also may not provide any
warning at all. FCA does not warn of
pedestrians, animals, signs, guardrails,
bridges, construction barrels, or other
objects. Be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. See Defensive Driving
0 165.
FCA can be disabled with either the FCA
steering wheel control or, if equipped,
through vehicle personalization. See
“Collision/Detection Systems” underVehicle
Personalization (8 Inch Screen) 089 or
Vehicle Personalization (7 Inch Screen) 094.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Vehicle Care 201
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 202
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 202
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 203
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 210
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . 224
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 227
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 230
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 231
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 236
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 239 Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 240
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 243
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 245
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 245
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 247
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 253
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
202 Vehicle Care
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit your
dealer. You will receive genuine GM parts
and GM-trained and supported service
people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
California Proposition 65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one,
as well as many of its service parts and
fluids, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many
parts and systems, many fluids, and
some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals. For
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0219 and
Jump Starting - North America 0253 and the
back cover.
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications,
such as airbag initiators, seat belt
pretensioners, and lithium batteries
contained in electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials. Perchlorate Material –
special handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or making
modifications to the vehicle can affect
vehicle performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic
systems like antilock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause malfunction
or damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to suspension components caused
by modifying vehicle height outside of
factory settings will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting
from modifications or the installation or use
of non-GM certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is not
covered under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement
and function with other systems on the
vehicle. See your dealer to accessorize the
vehicle using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
206 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0211.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0208.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0208.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0212.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0212.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes0217.
7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See Engine
Compartment Fuse Block 0227.
8. Battery - North America 0219.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid 0216.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0227.