Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
178 Climate Controls
3. MAX Defrost
4. Rear Window Defogger
5. Fan Control
6. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (IfEquipped)
7. Recirculation
8. A/C (Air Conditioning)
]: Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed or turn the fan off.
Temperature Control : Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature.
Air Delivery Mode Controls : Press
z,Y,
or
6to change the direction of the airflow.
The indicator light in the button will turn
on. Any combination of the three buttons
can be selected. The indicator light in the
button will turn on.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following:
z: Clears the windows of fog or moisture.
Air is directed to the windshield.
Y: Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
6: Air is directed to the floor outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed. Fog or
frost is cleared from the windshield more
quickly. When the button is pressed again,
the system returns to the previous mode
setting.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
A/C : Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. If the climate control
system is turned off or the outside
temperature falls below freezing, the air
conditioner will not run.
@: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle or
to reduce the entry of outside air and odors.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on.
The defogger can be turned off by turning
the vehicle off or to accessory mode. If the vehicle is equipped with heated
outside mirrors, they turn on when the rear
window defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirror.
See
Heated Mirrors 027.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the driver or passenger seat. See
Heated Front Seats 041.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Climate Controls 179
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the
vehicle can be controlled with this system.1. Driver and Passenger Temperature
Controls
2. AUTO (Automatic Operation) 3. Fan Controls
4. MAX Defrost
5. Rear Window Defogger
6. SYNC (Synchronized Temperature)
7. Recirculation
8. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If
Equipped)
9. Air Delivery Mode Controls
10. ON/OFF (Power)
11. A/C (Air Conditioning)
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls the fan
speed, air delivery, air conditioning, and
recirculation in order to heat or cool the
vehicle to the desired temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all four functions operate
automatically. Each function can also be
manually set and the selected setting is
displayed.
Functions not manually set will continue to
be automatically controlled, even if the
AUTO indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation: 1. Press AUTO.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Climate Controls 181
turn on the air conditioner. The fan speed
may slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control system does
not detect possible window fogging, it
returns to normal operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, select Settings
> Climate and Air Quality > Auto Defog >
Select ON or OFF.
Ionizer
If equipped with an ionizer, this feature
helps to clean the air inside the vehicle and
remove contaminants such as pollen, odors,
and dust. If the climate control system is on
and the ionizer is enabled, Ionizer On will be
displayed. To turn ionizer off or on, select
Settings > Climate and Air Quality > Ionizer
> Select ON or OFF.
Rear Window Defogger
K:Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on. The defogger only works
when the ignition is on.
The defogger can be turned off by turning
the vehicle off or accessory mode. To turn Auto Defog off or on, select Settings
> Climate and Air Quality > Auto Rear Defog
> Select ON or OFF.
When auto rear defog is selected, the rear
window defogger turns on automatically
when the interior temperature is cold and
the outside temperature is about 5 °C (41 °F)
and below. The Auto Rear Defogger turns off
automatically.
If the vehicle is equipped with heated
outside mirrors, they turn on when the rear
window defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirror. See
Heated Mirrors 027
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the driver or passenger seat. See
Heated Front Seats 041. Remote Start Climate Control Operation (If
Equipped) :
If the vehicle is equipped with
the remote start feature, the climate control
system may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. The system uses the driver’s
previous settings to heat or cool the inside
of the vehicle. The rear defog may come on
during remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. If the vehicle has heated seats,
they may come on during a remote start.
See Remote Vehicle Start 014 and
Heated Front Seats 041.
Sensors
The solar sensor on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield monitors the solar
heat. The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed, recirculation, and air
delivery mode for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
182 Climate Controls
Air Vents
Use the louvers located on the air vents to
change the direction of the airflow.
To open or close off the airflow:
.Move slider knobs away from the
occupant for shut off closing.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from
air inlets at the base of the windshield
that could block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle, which may
improve long term system performance.
.Keep the path under the front seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside
of the vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system. Check with your dealer
before adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
.Do not attach any devices to the air vent
slats. This restricts airflow and may cause
damage to the air vents.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics and
painted surfaces. If an air freshener
comes in contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle, blot
immediately and clean with a soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter reduces dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle. The filter should
be replaced as part of routine scheduled
maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule 0323.
See your dealer regarding replacement of
the filter.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood that
identifies the refrigerant used in the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only be serviced by trained and certified technicians.
The air conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting
refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is
harmful to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires periodic
maintenance. See
Maintenance Schedule
0 323.
Caution
Damage caused by improper refrigerant
usage could lead to costly repairs and
may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Refrigerant systems should
only be serviced by qualified personnel.
Always use the correct refrigerant.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Driving and Operating 193
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification/Tire label is
attached to the center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of the vehicle's
original tires and the inflation pressures
needed to obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. The label shows the gross
weight capacity of the vehicle. This is called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label may also show
the maximum weights for the front and rear
axles, called the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual loads on the front and rear axles, weigh the vehicle at a
weigh station. Your dealer can help with
this. Be sure to spread the load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can strike and
injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. In the cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible. Try to spread
the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the vehicle.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless needed.
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one constant
speed, fast or slow, for the first
800 km (500 mi). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting
to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
300 km (200 mi) or so. During this
time the new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
(Continued)
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
Vehicle Care 297
Adjust the front and rear tires to the
recommended inflation pressure on the
Tire and Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. SeeTire
Pressure 0291 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0191.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 293.
Check that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
under Capacities and Specifications
0 332, and “Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing 0303.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
cause wheel nuts to become loose
over time. The wheel could come off
and cause a crash. When changing a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to
the vehicle. In an emergency, a cloth
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or paper towel can be used; however,
use a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the inner diameter of the
wheel hub opening with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or tire
rotation to prevent corrosion or rust
buildup.
{Warning
Do not apply grease to the wheel
mounting surface, wheel conical
seats, or the wheel nuts or bolts.
Grease applied to these areas could
cause a wheel to become loose or
come off, resulting in a crash.
When It Is Time for New Tires
Factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road
conditions affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to tell
when it is time for new tires. Treadwear
indicators appear when the tires have only
1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less of tread remaining.
See Tire Inspection 0296 and
Tire Rotation 0296.
The rubber in tires ages over time. This also
applies to the spare tire, if the vehicle has
one, even if it is never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading conditions,
and inflation pressure maintenance affect
how fast aging takes place. GM recommends
that tires, including the spare if equipped,
be replaced after six years, regardless of
tread wear. To identify the age of a tire, use
the tire manufacture date, which is the last
four digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
320 Vehicle Care
Caution
Do not attach a device with a suction cup
to the display. This may cause damage
and would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Instrument Panel, Leather, Vinyl, Other
Plastic Surfaces, Low Gloss Paint
Surfaces, and Natural Open Pore Wood
Surfaces
Use a soft bristle brush to remove dust from
knobs and crevices on the instrument
cluster. Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove dust and
loose dirt. For a more thorough cleaning,
use a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap and water solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather, especially
perforated leather, as well as other
interior surfaces, may cause permanent
damage. Wipe excess moisture from
these surfaces after cleaning and allow
them to dry naturally. Never use heat,
steam, or spot removers. Do not use
liquids that contain alcohol or solvents on
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
leather seats. Do not use cleaners that
contain silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these solvents can
permanently change the appearance and
feel of leather or soft trim, and are not
recommended.
Do not use cleaners that increase gloss,
especially on the instrument panel. Reflected
glare can decrease visibility through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics and
painted surfaces. If an air freshener
comes in contact with any plastic or
painted surface in the vehicle, blot
immediately and clean with a soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Cargo Cover and Convenience Net
If equipped, wash with warm water and
mild detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach.
Rinse with cold water, and then dry
completely.
Care of Seat Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt webbing.
It may severely weaken the webbing. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection. Clean and
rinse seat belt webbing only with mild
soap and lukewarm water. Allow the
webbing to dry.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16263917) - 2023 - CRC - 2/24/22
354 Index
IndexA
About Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
AdaptiveCruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Additional OnStar Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Agreements Trademarks and License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Air
Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . 182
Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . 55
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . 55
What Will You See after an AirbagInflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 54 Airbag System (cont'd)
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Airbags Adding Equipment to the Vehicle . . . . . . . 61
Passenger Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Replacing System Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . 60
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Alert
Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Rear Cross Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 270
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Antenna Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . 161