Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 215
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit your
dealer. You will receive genuine GM parts
and GM-trained and supported service
people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications,
such as airbag initiators, seat belt
pretensioners, and lithium batteries
contained in electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials. Perchlorate Material–
special handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or making
modifications to the vehicle can affect
vehicle performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, Driver Assistance
Systems, and electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability control.
These accessories or modifications could
even cause malfunction or damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to suspension components caused
by modifying vehicle height outside of
factory settings will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Damage to vehicle components resulting
from modifications or the installation or use
of non-GM certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is not
covered under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
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, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 064.
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.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 217
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and movethe secondary hood release lever toward
the right side of the vehicle.
3. Lift the hood and release the hood propfrom its retainer, above the radiator.
Securely place the hood prop into the
slot on the underside of the hood. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly, and all tools are
removed.
2. Lift the hood and remove the hood prop rod from the underside of the hood.
Return the prop rod to its retainer. The
prop rod must click into place when
returning it to the retainer to prevent
hood damage.
3. Lower the hood 30 cm (12 in) above the vehicle and release it so it fully latches.
Check to make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if necessary.{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if the hood is
not latched completely. The hood could
open fully, block your vision, and cause a
crash. You or others could be injured.
Always close the hood completely before
driving.
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Vehicle Care 219
1. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWasher Fluid 0230.
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0226.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0221.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0226.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0221.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0224.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes0231.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump
Starting - North America 0270.
9. Battery - North America 0233.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0243.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America 0270
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Vehicle Care 221
1. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWasher Fluid 0230.
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0226.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0221.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0221.
5. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0226.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0224.
7. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes0231.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump
Starting - North America 0270.
9. Battery - North America 0233.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0243.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America 0270
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance and
long life, careful attention must be paid to
engine oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the proper
specification and of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly and
maintain the proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the appropriate
time. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0223.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly, every
650 km (400 mi), especially prior to a long
trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0218 for
the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may be
hot; it could burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center (DIC)
message displays, check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
L3T 1.3L L3 Engine
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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228 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.If no problem is found, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at the indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one-quarter of a
turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with theproper mixture to the indicated
level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the indicated
level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
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Vehicle Care 235
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the
vehicle moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room around the vehicle.
It should be parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake, try to move
the shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever moves
out of P (Park), contact your dealer for
service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check, the
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of the vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle
facing downhill. Keeping your foot on the
regular brake, set the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's holding
ability: With the engine running and the
transmission in N (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by
the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the parking brake
followed by the regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be replaced
periodically. See Maintenance Schedule
0 286.
Replacement blades come in different types
and are removed in different ways. For
proper type and length, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0291.
Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch the
windshield when no wiper blade is
installed could damage the windshield.
Any damage that occurs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not
allow the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
Front Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the front wiper blades:
1. Lift the wiper arm from the windshield until no further movement is possible.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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240 Vehicle Care
4. Remove the old bulb from the bulbsocket by pulling it straight out.
5. Insert a new bulb into the bulb socket.
6. Install the bulb socket into the taillamp assembly.
7. Install the taillamp assembly to the vehicle body with the two screws.
Rear Back-Up Lamp
The bulbs are accessible from the underside
of the vehicle.
1. Turn the bulb holder anti-clockwise and remove it from reflector.
2. Disengage the bulb socket from the plugconnector by pressing the retaining lug.
3. Remove and replace the bulb socket with bulb and attach the plug connector.
4. Insert the bulb socket into the reflector and turn clockwise to engage.
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Vehicle Care 241
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps (Uplevel)
Caution
Improper lamp assembly removal and
installation can cause leaks and water
intrusion which may cause damage to
the taillamp. Do not remove the taillamp
assembly to replace a bulb. Use the
liftgate opening to access the bulb.
The stoplamp/taillamp/turn signal lamp/side
marker lamp and liftgate inboard taillamp
are LEDs. To replace, see your dealer.
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit breakers to
protect against an electrical system
overload.
When the current electrical load is too
heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the current load
returns to normal or the problem is fixed. This greatly reduces the chance of circuit
overload and fire caused by electrical
problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect power
devices in the vehicle.
If there is a problem on the road and a fuse
needs to be replaced, the same amperage
fuse can be borrowed.
To check a fuse, look at the band inside the
fuse. If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace a bad
fuse with a fuse of the identical size and
rating.
Replacing a Blown Fuse
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Locate the fuse puller in the engine
compartment fuse block.