2021 BUICK ENCORE key

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Lighting 101
Reading Lamps
The front reading lamps are in the overhead
console.
#or$:Press to turn each lamp on
or off.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior lamps turn
on briefly at night, or in areas with limited
lighting, when
Kis pressed on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. When a
door is opened, the interior lamps come on.
They stay on for about 20 seconds. When all of the doors have been closed or the
ignition is turned on, they gradually
fade out.
This feature can be changed. See
“Vehicle
Locator Lights” underVehicle Personalization
(8 Inch Screen) 089 or
Vehicle Personalization (7 Inch Screen) 094.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior lights
come on at night, or in areas with limited
lighting, when the driver door is opened
after the ignition is turned off. The interior
lamps come on after the ignition is turned
off. The exterior lamps and interior lamps
remain on for a set amount of time, then
automatically turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off immediately by
turning the exterior lamp control off.
This feature can be changed. See Vehicle
Personalization (8 Inch Screen) 089 or
Vehicle Personalization (7 Inch Screen) 094.
Battery Load Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge. It then
adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring
the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the
vehicle has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the power
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, climate control fan at high speed,

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
110 Infotainment System
Touch a category name to display a list of
stations for that category. Selecting a
station from the list will tune the radio to
that station and return the display to Now
Playing.
EQ :If equipped with a Bose sound system,
the Equalizer settings are selected through
the tone settings menu. Touch the left or
right arrows to cycle through the EQ
options. The available choices are Manual
and Talk.
Auto Volume (If Equipped) : This feature
adjusts the volume based on vehicle speed.
The options are Off, Low, Medium - Low,
Medium, Medium - High, or High. Press
q
BACK orSBACK on the center stack or
touch the Back icon on the infotainment
display to go back to the previous menu.
Bose AudioPilot Noise Compensation
Technology (If Equipped) : This feature
adjusts the volume based on the noise in
the vehicle and speed. When turned on,
AudioPilot detects noise and vehicle speed
to continuously adjust the audio signal so
that music will sound the same at a set
volume level. This feature is most effective
at lower radio volume settings where
background noise can affect how well the
music is being played. See www.boseautomotive.com. This feature can
be turned on or off. Press
qBACK orS
BACK on the center stack or touch the Back
icon on the infotainment display to go back
to the previous menu.
HD Radio (If Equipped) :
For AM, FM, and
SXM (if equipped), touch to turn HD Radio
(if equipped) reception on or off. Touch the
Back icon on the infotainment display to go
back to the previous menu.
Update Station List : For AM, FM, and SXM
(if equipped), touch to update the station
list. Touch the Back icon on the
infotainment display to go back to the
previous menu.
Finding a Station
Seeking a Station
Press
g,7ord,6on the center stack
to search for the previous or next strongest
station.
Tuning a Station
Touch the TUNE icon on the infotainment
display to switch to Direct Tune. Touch the
left or right arrow to manually search for a
station. Direct Tune
Access Direct Tune by touching TUNE on the
infotainment display to bring up the keypad.
Navigate up and down through all
frequencies or directly enter a station using
the keypad. When a new station is entered,
the information about that station displays
on the right side. This information will
update with each new valid frequency
tuned.
The keypad will gray out entries that do not
contribute to a valid frequency and will
automatically place a decimal point within
the frequency number.
A valid station will automatically tune to
the new frequency but not close the Direct
Tune window. Touch the Back icon on the
infotainment display or touch Exit to close
the Direct Tune window.
The tune arrows on the right side of the
Direct Tune display tunes through the
complete station list one station step at a
time per touch. A touch and hold advances
10 frequency steps per second.
Touch (X) to delete one number at a time.
Touch and hold (X) to delete all numbers.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Infotainment System 111
In AM-FM modes, touch the left or right
arrows on the infotainment display for the
radio to go to the next or previous strong
station. Touch Direct Tune to advance to the
next or previous frequency step in AM or
FM mode or directly enter or tune to the
frequency on the keypad.
HD radio multicast stations cannot be tuned
directly through the Direct Tune feature.
Only the analog or HD1 station can use that
feature. Use the TUNE icon on the
infotainment display to adjust to the
multicast stations.
AM-FM Categories
AM-FM Categories are available under the
AM and FM audio menu. Touch AM-FM
Categories to gain access to the AM and FM
Categories list.The categories list contains category names
associated with AM-FM stations. Selecting a
given category name displays a list of
stations for that category.
Storing Presets
Favorites are stored near the bottom of the
display.
Up to 60 preset favorites can be stored:
AM, FM, SXM (if equipped), and HD Radio
Stations :
Touch and hold a preset to save
the current station as a favorite. Touch a
saved favorite to recall a favorite station.
Mixed-Audio Favorites
While in the respective menu, drag up on
the top border of the favorites bar to view
favorites. Touch and hold a favorite preset
and then select the desired item to save as
a favorite.
Favorites that can be stored include media,
contacts, destinations, navigation,
or applications.
To scroll through the favorites:
.Drag up from near the bottom to display
the favorites. To close the favorites, drag
them down.
.Slide a finger to the right or left to scroll
through each page of favorites.
Tone Settings : Touch and hold a preset to
store the current tone settings as a favorite.
Touch a saved favorite to recall a favorite
tone setting.
The number of favorites displayed is
automatically adjusted by default, but can
be manually adjusted in the Settings menu
under Radio and then Number of Favorites
Shown.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
116 Infotainment System
Audiobooks:1. Touch to view the audiobooks stored on the USB.
2. Touch audiobook.
3. Touch a chapter to begin playback.
When a list of songs, albums, artists,
or other types of media displays, a vertical
keyboard appears on one side of the list and
a scroll bar on the other side. When using
the vertical keyboard, touch the beginning
character of the desired name to display the
zoom bubble of that character. Release the
finger from the infotainment display and
the zoom bubble disappears.
Touch the scroll bar to move the list up
and down. File System and Naming
The songs, artists, albums, and genres are
taken from the file’s song information and
are only displayed if present. The radio
displays the file name as the track name if
the song information is not available.
Supported Apple Devices
See my.buick.com/learn.
Loss of Audio
If a phone currently paired over Bluetooth is
plugged in with a USB cable, the system will
automatically mute the phone audio.
Playback can be resumed by changing the
audio source from Bluetooth to USB cable.
Source USB from Media on the infotainment
display to resume playback.
Bluetooth Streaming Audio and Voice
Recognition
See
Bluetooth Audio 0117 for information
using voice recognition with Bluetooth
streaming audio.
Make sure all devices have the latest
software downloaded.
Auxiliary Jack
This vehicle has an auxiliary input jack in
the center console under the armrest.
Possible auxiliary audio sources include:
.Laptop computer
.Audio music player
This jack is not an audio output. Do not
plug headphones into the auxiliary input
jack. Set up an auxiliary device while the
vehicle is in P (Park).
Connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) cable from the
auxiliary device to the auxiliary input jack.
When a device is connected, the system can
play audio from the device over the vehicle
speakers.
If an auxiliary device has already been
connected, but a different source is currently
active, touch Media on the infotainment
display to scroll through audio sources, until
the AUX source displays.
Playing from the AUX Port
An auxiliary device is played through the
audio system and controlled through the
device itself.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
118 Infotainment System
OnStar System
OnStar System (8 Inch Screen)
4G LTE
If equipped with 4G LTE, up to seven
devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and
laptops, can be connected to high-speed
Internet through the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi
hotspot.
Call 1-888-4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to
connect to an OnStar Advisor for assistance.
See www.onstar.com for vehicle availability,
details, and system limitations. Service and
connectivity may vary by make, model,
year, carrier, availability, and conditions. 4G
LTE service is available in select markets. 4G
LTE performance is based on industry
averages and vehicle systems design. Some
services require a data plan.
The OnStar App
If equipped, the infotainment system has
OnStar controls in the embedded OnStar app
on the Home Page. All OnStar functions that
can be performed with the buttons can be
done using the app. To open the app, select
the OnStar icon on the Home Page. Featuresvary by region and model. Features are
subject to change. For more information on
this feature, see my.buick.com/learn
Voice Recognition
Voice Recognition (8 Inch Screen)
If equipped, voice recognition allows for
hands-free operation within the navigation,
audio, phone, and weather applications. This
feature can be started by pressing
gon the
steering wheel controls or by touching
gon
the infotainment display.
However, not all features within these areas
are supported by voice commands.
Generally, only complex tasks that require
multiple manual interactions to complete
are supported by voice commands.
For example, tasks that take more than one
or two touches such as selecting a song or
artist to play from a media device would be
supported by voice commands. Other tasks,
like adjusting the volume or seeking up or
down, are audio features that are easily
performed by pressing one or two controls,
and are not supported by voice commands. In general there are flexible ways to speak
commands for completing the tasks. Most of
them, except voice keypad, can be
completed in a single command. If the task
takes more than one command to complete,
the first command should be to indicate the
kind of task to be performed. The system
replies with prompts that lead you through
a dialog to enter the necessary information.
Voice recognition can be used when the
ignition is on or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active.Using Voice Recognition
Voice recognition becomes available once
the system has been initialized. This begins
when the ignition is turned on. Initialization
may take a few moments.
1. Press
gon the steering wheel controls
to activate voice recognition, or touch
g
on the infotainment display.
2. The audio system mutes and the system plays a prompt followed by a beep.
3. Wait until after the beep completes, then clearly speak one of the commands
described in this section.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
122 Infotainment System
recognition by not allowing selection of
song titles by voice at the highest level if
the number of songs exceeds the maximum
limit.
Voice command option changes through
media content limits are:
.Song files including other individual files
of all media types such as audiobook
chapters, podcast episodes, and videos.
.Album type folders including types such
as albums and audiobooks.
There are no restrictions if the number of
song files and albums is less than 4,000.
When the number of song files connected to
the system is between 4,000 and 8,000, the
content cannot be accessed directly with
one command like “Play .”
The restriction is that the command “Play
Song” must be spoken first; the system will
then ask for the song name. The reply
command would be to say the name of the
song to play.
Similar limits exist for album content.
If there are more than 4,000 albums, but
less than 8,000, the content cannot be
accessed directly with one command like,
“Play .” The command“Play
Album” must first be spoken; the system will then ask for the album name. The reply
would be to say the name of the album
to play.
Once the number of songs has exceeded
approximately 8,000, there is no support for
accessing the songs directly through voice
commands. There will still be access to the
media content by using commands for
playlists, artists, and genres.
The access commands for playlists, artists,
and genres are prohibited after the number
of this type of media exceeds 4,000.
The system will provide feedback the first
time voice recognition is initiated if it has
become apparent that any of these limits
are reached during a device initializing
process.
Voice Recognition for the Phone
“Call ”
:Initiate a call to an
entered contact. The command may include
location if the contact has location numbers
stored.
“Call At Home,” “At Work,”
“On Mobile,” or“On Other” :Initiate a call
to an entered contact and location at home,
at work, on mobile device, or on another
phone. “Call ”
:Initiate a call to a
standard phone number or to a local
emergency number.
“Pair Phone” :Begin the Bluetooth pairing
process. Follow instructions on the radio
display.
“Switch Phone” :Select a different phone
for outgoing calls.
“Voice Keypad” :Begin a dialog to enter
special numbers like international numbers.
The numbers can be entered in groups of
digits with each group of digits being
repeated back by the system. If the group
of digits is not correct, the command
“Delete” will remove the last group of digits
and allow them to be re-entered. Once the
entire number has been entered, the
command “Call”will start dialing the
number.
“Voice Mail” :Initiate a call to voice mail
numbers.
Voice Pass-Thru
Voice pass-thru allows access to the voice
recognition commands on the cell phone, for
example, Siri or Voice Command. See the
cell phone manufacturer's user guide to see
if the cell phone supports this feature. To

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
Infotainment System 125
.While the active call is hands-free, touch
the Handset option to switch to the
handset mode. The Handset option
changes to Handsfree once the Bluetooth
device confirms it is operating as handset.
.While the active call is handset, touch the
Handsfree option to switch to the
hands-free mode. The Handsfree option
changes to Handset once the Bluetooth
device confirms it is operating as
handsfree.
Making a Call Using Contacts and Recent
Calls
Calls can be made through the Bluetooth
system using personal cell phone contact
information for all phones that support the
Phone Book feature. Become familiar with
the phone settings and operation. Verify the
cell phone supports this feature.
When supported, the Contacts and Recent
Calls menus are automatically available.
The Contacts menu accesses the phone book
stored in the cell phone.
The Recent Calls menu accesses the recent
call list(s) from your cell phone.
To make a call using the Contacts menu:1. Touch Phone on the Home Page. 2. Touch Contacts.
3. Touch the name to call.
4. Touch the desired contact number to call.
To make a call using the Recent Calls menu: 1. Touch Phone on the Home Page.
2. Touch Recent.
3. Touch the name or number to call.
4. If necessary, select between Missed, Recent, and Sent calls by touching View
in the top right corner of the list.
Making a Call Using the Keypad
To make a call by dialing the numbers:
1. Touch Phone on the Home Page.
2. Touch Keypad and enter a phone number.
3. Touch Call to start dialing the number.
Accepting or Declining a Call
When an incoming call is received, the
infotainment system mutes and a ring tone
is heard in the vehicle.
Accepting a Call
To accept a call:
.Pressgon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch Answer on the infotainment
display.
Declining a Call
To decline a call:
.Presscon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch Ignore on the infotainment display.
Call Waiting
Call waiting must be supported on the
Bluetooth phone and enabled by the
wireless service carrier to work.
Accepting a Call
To accept a call-waiting call:
.Pressgon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch Switch on the infotainment display.
Declining a Call
To decline a call-waiting call:
.Presscon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch Ignore on the infotainment display.
Switching Between Calls (Call Waiting
Calls Only)
To switch between calls, touch Phone on the
Home Page to display “Call View.”While in
Call View, touch the call information of the
call on hold to change calls.

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14607636) -
2021 - CRC - 8/18/20
126 Infotainment System
Three-Way Calling
Three-way calling must be supported on the
Bluetooth phone and enabled by the
wireless service carrier to work.
To start a three-way call while in a
current call:1. In the Call View, touch Add to add another call.
2. Initiate the second call by selecting from Recent, Contacts, or Keypad.
3. When the second call is active, touch Merge to conference the three-way call
together.
4. Once all calls are merged, the Merge option becomes an Unmerge option.
Touch to unmerge the calls.
Some wireless service carriers may not
allow a merged call to become
unmerged.
Ending a Call
.Presscon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch End on the infotainment display to
end all existing calls, or touch End next to
a call to end only that call.
Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) Tones
The in-vehicle Bluetooth system can send
numbers during a call. This is used when
calling a menu-driven phone system.
1. Touch Phone on the Home Page.
2. While in the Call View, touch the up arrow to raise the interaction selector.
3. Touch Keypad and enter the number.
Voice Mail
The default voice mail number is the phone
number of the outgoing phone source. The
voice mail number can be changed in
Bluetooth settings.
To dial a voice mail number: 1. Touch Phone on the Home Page.
2. Touch Voice Mail.
3. Touch Call.
4. Enter the DTMF tones using the keypad if needed.
Bluetooth (Voice Recognition for 8
Inch Screen)
Using Bluetooth Voice Recognition
To use voice recognition, pressgon the
steering wheel controls. Use the commands
below for the various voice features. For
additional information, say “Help”while in a
voice recognition menu. See Voice
Recognition (8 Inch Screen) 0118 for help
using voice recognition commands.
Making a Call
Calls can be made using the following
commands.
Using the “Dial”or“Call” Command
To call a number:
1. Press
gon the steering wheel controls.
The system responds “Command Please,”
followed by a tone.
2. Say “Dial”or“Call” followed by the
complete phone number.
Use the “Voice Keypad” command for
international numbers or special numbers
which include * or #.
Once connected, the person called will be
heard through the audio speakers.