2021 BUICK ENCORE instrument panel

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
44 Seats and Restraints
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system
for the front outboard passenger position.
The passenger airbag status indicator will
light on the instrument panel when the
vehicle is started.
United States
Canada
The words ON and OFF, or the symbols for
on and off, will be visible during the system
check. When the system check is complete,
either the word ON or OFF, or the symbol
for on or off, will be visible. See Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator 080. The passenger sensing system turns off the
front outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. No other airbag is affected by
the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the front outboard
passenger seat. The sensors are designed to
detect the presence of a properly seated
occupant and determine if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag (if equipped) should be allowed to
inflate or not.
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly secured in a rear seat
in the correct child restraint for their weight
and size.
Whenever possible, children aged 12 and
under should be secured in a rear seating
position.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in the
front. This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great if the airbag
inflates.
{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
passenger frontal airbag inflates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the
inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the passenger
frontal airbag inflates and the passenger
seat is in a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard passenger
airbag(s), no system is fail-safe. No one
can guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual circumstance,
even though the airbag(s) are off.
Never put a rear-facing child restraint in
the front seat, even if the airbag is off.
If securing a forward-facing child restraint
in the front outboard passenger seat,
always move the seat as far back as it
will go. It is better to secure child
restraints in the rear seat. Consider using
another vehicle to transport the child
when a rear seat is not available.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Seats and Restraints 47
SeeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 047 for more
information about modifications that can
affect how the system operates.
The ON indicator may be lit if an object,
such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not desired,
remove the object from the seat.
{Warning
Stowing articles under the passenger seat
or between the passenger seat cushion
and seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag
system in several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the vehicle and
the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0289.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the vehicle is
turned off and the battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still inflate
during improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an airbag
when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to
do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the vehicle's
frame, bumper system, height, front end,
or side sheet metal may keep the airbag
system from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system can also
be affected by changing, including
improperly repairing or replacing, any parts
of the following:
.Airbag system, including airbag modules,
front or side impact sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, or airbag wiring
.Front seats, including stitching, seams or
zippers
.Seat belts
.Steering wheel, instrument panel, ceiling
trim, or pillar garnish trim
.Inner door seals, including speakers
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag
modules and sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, and airbag wiring along with the
proper replacement procedures.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front outboard
passenger position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not operate
properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery, or trim; or
with GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object,
such as an aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort-enhancing pad or device, installed
under or on top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Storage 67
Storage
Storage Compartments
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Instrument Panel Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Underseat Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Roof Rack System
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Storage Compartments{
Warning
Do not store heavy or sharp objects in
storage compartments. In a crash, these
objects may cause the cover to open and
could result in injury.
Instrument Panel Storage
Pull the handle to open.
Pull up on the handle to open.
Glove Box
Lift up on the glove box lever to open it.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
80 Instruments and Controls
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System 044 for
important safety information. The
instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
United States
Canada
When the vehicle is started, the passenger
airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
or the symbol for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after
several seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or the on or off symbol to let you know the status of the
front outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag (if equipped).
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag (if equipped)
are allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing system
has turned off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and passenger knee airbag (if
equipped).
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there are no
lights at all, there may be a problem with
the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have the vehicle serviced right
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light 079
for more information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned on, but the
engine is not running, as a check to show
the light is working. It should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with the
electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is flashing, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) also displays
a message. If a short distance must be

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
82 Instruments and Controls
.If equipped with capped fuel fill: A loose
or missing fuel cap may cause the light
to come on. SeeFilling the Tank (Capless
Fuel Fill) 0197 or
Filling the Tank (Capped Fuel Fill) 0198.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed may turn the light off.
.Poor fuel quality can cause inefficient
engine operation and poor drivability,
which may go away once the engine is
warmed up. If this occurs, change the fuel
brand. It may require at least one full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light
off. See Recommended Fuel 0196.
If the light remains on, see your dealer.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the test
equipment will likely connect to the
vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. Connecting
devices that are not used to perform an
Emissions Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect vehicle
operation. See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 200. See your dealer if assistance is
needed.
The vehicle may not pass inspection if:
.The light is on when the engine is
running.
.The light does not come on when the
ignition is in Service Mode.
.Critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed. If this
happens, the vehicle would not be ready
for inspection and might require
several days of routine driving before the
system is ready for inspection. This can
happen if the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if the
vehicle has been recently serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will not pass
or cannot be made ready for the test.
Brake System Warning Light
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
When the vehicle is on, the brake system
warning light also comes on when the
parking brake is set. The light stays on if
the parking brake does not fully release. If it
stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. The brake pedal
might be harder to push, or the brake pedal
may go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. See Towing
the Vehicle 0255.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Lighting 97
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . 97
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 98
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . 99
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 102
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
column.
There are four positions:
O: Turns the exterior lamps off and
deactivates the AUTO mode. Turn
Oagain
to reactivate the AUTO mode.
In Canada, the headlamps will automatically
reactivate when the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park).
AUTO : Turns the exterior lamps on and off
automatically depending on outside lighting.
;: Turns on the parking lamps including
all lamps, except the headlamps.
5: Turns on the headlamps together with
the parking lamps and instrument panel
lights. A warning chime sounds if the driver
door is opened when the ignition is off and
the headlamps are on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
3: Push the turn signal lever away from
you and release, to turn the high beams on.
To return to low beams, push the lever
again or pull it toward you and release.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
98 Lighting
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument cluster when the high-beam
headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the turn signal
lever all the way toward you. Then
release it.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle
during the day. Fully functional DRL are
required on all vehicles first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument
panel makes the DRL work, so be sure it is
not covered.The DRL system makes the low-beam
headlamps come on at a reduced brightness
when the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in AUTO.
.The engine is running.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker, instrument panel, and other
lamps will not be on.
The headlamps automatically change from
DRL to the regular headlamps depending on
the darkness of the surroundings. The other
lamps that come on with the headlamps will
also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the
headlamps go off and the DRL come on.
The DRL turn off when the headlamps are
turned to
Oor the ignition is off. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, this control
only works when the vehicle is parked.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the
exterior lamp control is in the automatic
position, the headlamps come on
automatically. See Exterior Lamp Controls
0 97.
The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Make sure it is not
covered, or the headlamps will be on when
they are not needed.
The system may also turn on the headlamps
when driving through a parking garage or
tunnel.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Lighting 99
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on
immediately. If it is light outside when the
vehicle leaves the garage, there is a slight
delay before the automatic headlamp
system changes to the DRL. During that
delay, the instrument cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Illumination
Control 0100.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are activated in
daylight with the engine on, and the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO, the
headlamps, parking lamps, and other
exterior lamps come on. The transition time
for the lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are not
operating, these lamps turn off. Move the
exterior lamp control to
Por;to
disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|: Press and momentarily hold to make
the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on
and off. This warns others that you are
having trouble. Press and momentarily hold
again to turn the flashers off.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down to
signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster will
flash in the direction of the turn or lane
change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane change. The
turn signal flashes three times.
The lever returns to its starting position
when it is released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the
arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a
signal bulb may be burned out. Replace any
burned out bulbs. If a bulb is not burned
out, check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit
Breakers 0226.