Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
194 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTrailer Towing 0243 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the vehicle and
more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
On new vehicles, the various mechanical and
electrical systems experience a “break-in”
period during the first 6 400 km (4,000 mi)
of routine driving. As the vehicle is driven,
the mechanical systems adjust to provide
optimal fuel economy and transmission shift
performance.
Electrical systems will adapt and calibrate
during the break-in period. A one-time
occurrence of clicks and similar vehicle
noises is normal during this process.
Normal driving charges the vehicle’s battery
to achieve the best operation of the vehicle,
including fuel economy and the Stop/Start
System. See Stop/Start System 0196.
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
The remote key must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the pushbutton
start is not working, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Keyless Access system.
See Remote Key Operation 08.
Stopping the Engine/Off (No Indicator
Lights)
When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE
START/STOP once to turn the engine off.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
on and the brake pedal must be applied. If the vehicle is in P (Park), the ignition will
turn off, and Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) will remain active. See
Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0200
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the ignition
will return to accessory mode and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
When the vehicle is shifted into P (Park), the
ignition system will turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric steering
column lock. The lock is activated when the
vehicle is turned off and either front door is
opened. A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering column
lock may not release with the wheels turned
off center. If this happens, the vehicle may
not start. Move the steering wheel from left
to right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the vehicle
needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle
is moving. This will cause a loss of power
assist in the brake and steering systems and
disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in an
emergency:
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Driving and Operating 195
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure.Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving.
After shifting to N (Neutral), firmly apply
the brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition off.
4. Set the electric parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0206
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over and
must be turned off while driving, press and
hold ENGINE START/ STOP for longer than
two seconds, or press twice in five seconds.
Accessory Mode (Amber Indicator Light)
This mode allows you to use some electrical
accessories when the engine is off. With the ignition off, pressing the button
one time without the brake pedal applied
will place the ignition system in
accessory mode.
The ignition will switch from accessory to
OFF after five minutes to prevent battery
rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator Light)
This mode is for driving and starting. With
the ignition off and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the button once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START. Once
engine cranking begins, release the button.
Engine cranking will continue until the
engine starts. See
Starting the Engine 0195.
The ignition will then remain on.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction indicator lamp
as may be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing and holding the
button for more than five seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Mode. The instruments
and audio systems will operate when the
vehicle is on, but the vehicle will not be able to be driven. The engine will not start in
Service Mode. Press the button again to turn
the vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any
other position. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See
Add-On Electrical Equipment 0248.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Vehicle Care 251
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.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 061.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on your
vehicle if you do not have the proper
knowledge, service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow owner’s manual
procedures and consult the service
manual for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service work, use
the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service the vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0342. This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 60.
If equipped with remote vehicle start, open
the hood before performing any service
work to prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote Vehicle Start 014.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 330.Caution
Even small amounts of contamination can
cause damage to vehicle systems. Do not
allow contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/start,
turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the vehicle is on, the engine will
start when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Index 363
Shift Lock Control Function Check,Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275, 277
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Software Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275, 277 Storage
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Rear Compartment/Storage Panel
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Storage Areas Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
System
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Brake Pad Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Air Filter Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Global Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 System (cont'd)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Surround Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Taillamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275, 277
Teen Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292