
Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16411536) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Driving and Operating 185
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 186
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 203
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 205
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 205
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) . . . . 217
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 232
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 244

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 189
2. Turn the steering wheel aboutone-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues —such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles can be used
for off-road driving. Vehicles without AWD
and vehicles not equipped with All Terrain
(AT) or On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not be
driven off-road except on a level, solid
surface. To contact the tire manufacturer for
more information about the original
equipment tires, see the warranty manual. Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of the best
ways to control the vehicle is to control the
speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could
cause you to lose control and crash. You
and your passengers should always wear
seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance and
service work completed.
.Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels, and check
inflation pressure in all tires, including the
spare, if equipped.
.Read all the information about AWD
vehicles in this manual.
.Make sure all underbody shields,
if equipped, are properly attached.
.Know the local laws that apply to off-road
driving.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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192 Driving and Operating
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud—the
deeper the mud, the lower the gear. Keep
the vehicle moving to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on sand. On
loose sand, such as on beaches or sand
dunes, the tires tend to sink into the sand.
This affects steering, accelerating, and
braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed snow
and ice and it is easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on hard packed
snow and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
can be dangerous. Ice conditions vary
greatly and the vehicle could fall through
the ice; you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you and your
passengers could drown. If it is only
shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires. Traction
could be lost, and the vehicle could roll
over. Do not drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing water if it
is deep enough to cover the wheel hubs,
axles, or exhaust pipe. Deep water can
damage the axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep, drive
through it slowly. At faster speeds, water
can get into the engine and cause it to stall.
Stalling can occur if the exhaust pipe is
under water. Do not turn off the ignition
when driving through water. If the exhaust
pipe is under water, the engine will not
start. When going through water, the brakes
get wet, and it might take longer to stop.
See Driving on Wet Roads 0192.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These accumulations can
be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the
brake linings cleaned and checked. These
substances can cause glazing and uneven
braking. Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust
system for damage and check the fuel lines
and cooling system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service is
required. See Maintenance Schedule 0324.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 209
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS)Caution
If the vehicle is driven at a high rpm
without upshifting while using Electronic
Range Select (ERS), the vehicle could be
damaged. Always upshift when necessary
while using ERS.
Electronic Range Select (ERS), or Manual
Mode, allows for the selection of the range
of gear positions. Use this mode when
driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit
the top gear and vehicle speed. The shift
position indicator within the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a
number next to the L indicating the highest
available gear.
To enter Electronic Range Select or
Manual Mode:
1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), press the L (Low) button.
2. Tap the left steering wheel control to reduce the highest gear available, or the
right control to increase the highest gear
available.
To exit Electronic Range Select, pull the
D (Drive) switch on the center console.
When shifting to L (Low), the transmission
will shift to a preset lower gear range. For
this preset range, the highest gear available
will be displayed next to the L in the DIC.
See Driver Information Center (DIC). All gears
below that number are available to use. For
example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to
the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are
shifted automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth)
gear, tap the right steering wheel control or
shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a lower gear
range if the engine speed is too high. If the
vehicle speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. Slow the vehicle, then tap the
left steering wheel control to the desired
lower gear range.
Cruise control can be used while in ERS.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can operate in
AWD Mode.
Press the button to select All-Wheel
Drive (AWD).
The AWD Mode will stay selected until the
mode is changed. See
Driver Mode Control
0 214.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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210 Driving and Operating
When operated in FWD, the vehicle will
deliver power to the front wheels only and
may provide better fuel economy.
When using a compact spare tire on an
AWD vehicle, the system automatically
detects the compact spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system. To
restore full AWD operation and prevent
excessive wear on the system, replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. SeeCompact Spare Tire 0308.
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. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 0108.
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.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can always
be applied, even if the vehicle is off. In case
of insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid unnecessary
repeated cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake status
light and an amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric Parking Brake
Light 0107 and Service Electric Parking Brake
Light 0107. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages.

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Driving and Operating 215
When active, Sport Mode modifies AWD
torque, steering, Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), and
suspension tuning, if equipped.
AWD Mode
AWD provides torque to all four wheels.
Pressing the AWD Mode switch will select
AWD Mode. The AWD light will flash briefly
while the system is engaging and stay on to
indicate AWD is active. AWD Mode can be
turned on and off independently of other
modes. Select AWD Mode to improve
traction and control on slippery road
surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet
pavement, snow, and ice. For more
information on AWD, seeAll-Wheel Drive
0 209.
Tow/Haul Mode
This mode will automatically activate AWD,
if available. The transmission holds lower
gears longer before shifting to provide more
torque necessary when towing heavy loads.
This will also increase fuel consumption.
Tow/Haul Mode also modifies, steering, ESC,
TCS, and suspension tuning, if equipped. Use
this mode to assist in maintaining desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill
grades by using the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle.
This helps prevent the brakes from
overheating. For more information, see
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle
0311.
Cruise Control
With cruise control the vehicle can maintain
a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{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. If equipped with the Traction Control
System (TCS), the system may begin to limit
wheel spin while you are using cruise
control. If this happens, the cruise control
will automatically disengage. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0212. If a
collision alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is disengaged. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System 0232.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, cruise control can be turned
back on.
Cruise control will disengage if either TCS or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
is turned off.
If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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218 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
Complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving0187.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads or when
the sensors are blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. The system may not detect a
vehicle ahead. Keep the entire front of
the vehicle clean.
.Visibility is low, such as in fog, rain,
or snow conditions. ACC performance
is limited under these conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast changes
in tire traction can cause excessive
wheel slip.
.When towing a trailer.
5:Press to turn the system on or off. The
indicator turns white on the instrument
cluster when ACC is turned on.
RES+ : Press briefly to resume to a previous
set speed or to increase vehicle speed if ACC
is already activated. To increase speed by
1 km/h (1 mph), press RES+ briefly. To
increase speed to the next 5 km/h (5 mph)
mark on the speedometer, hold RES+.
SET– :Press briefly to set the speed and
activate ACC or to decrease vehicle speed if
ACC is already activated. To decrease speed
by about 1 km/h (1 mph), press SET– briefly.
To decrease speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the speedometer,
hold SET–.
*: Press to disengage ACC without erasing
the selected set speed.
[: Press to select a following gap time
(or distance) setting for ACC of Far, Medium,
or Near.
The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See
Instrument Cluster (Base Level) 096 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 098. The
increment value used depends on the units
displayed.
Switching Between ACC and Regular Cruise
Control
To switch between ACC and regular cruise
control, press and hold
*. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message displays.
ACC IndicatorRegular Cruise Control
Indicator

Buick Enclave Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 221
Press[on the steering wheel to adjust
the following gap. Each press cycles the gap
button through three settings: Far, Medium,
or Near.
When pressed, the current gap setting
displays briefly on the instrument cluster
and HUD, if equipped. The gap setting will
be maintained until it is changed.
Since each gap setting corresponds to a
following time (Far, Medium, or Near), the
following distance will vary based on vehicle
speed. The faster the vehicle speed, the
further back your vehicle will follow a
vehicle detected ahead. Consider traffic and
weather conditions when selecting the
following gap. The range of selectable gaps
may not be appropriate for all drivers and
driving conditions.
Changing the gap setting automatically
changes the alert timing sensitivity (Far,
Medium, or Near) for the Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) feature. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0232. Alerting the Driver
If ACC is engaged, driver action may be
required when ACC cannot apply sufficient
braking because of approaching a vehicle
too rapidly.
When this condition occurs, the collision
alert symbol will flash on the windshield.
Either eight beeps will sound from the front,
or both sides of the Safety Alert Seat will
pulse five times. Touch the Settings icon on
the infotainment home page. Select
“Vehicle”
to display the list of available
options and select “Collision/Detection
Systems”.
See Defensive Driving 0187. Approaching and Following a VehicleThe vehicle ahead indicator is on the
instrument cluster and HUD display (if
equipped). It only displays when a vehicle is
detected in your vehicle’s path moving in
the same direction. If this symbol is not
displaying, ACC will not respond to or brake
for vehicles ahead.
ACC automatically slows the vehicle down
and adjusts vehicle speed to follow a
detected vehicle ahead at the selected
following gap. The vehicle speed increases or
decreases to follow a detected vehicle in
front of your vehicle when that vehicle is
traveling slower than your vehicle set speed.
It may apply limited braking, if necessary.
When braking is active, the brake lamps will
come on. The automatic braking may feel or
sound different than if the brakes were
applied manually. This is normal.