2024 BUICK ENCORE GX oil temperature

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Driving and Operating 207
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move that hand to the
right.
Always back up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider arcs
when towing a trailer to prevent damage
to your vehicle. Making very sharp turns
could cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see Engine
Overheating 0229.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
208 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0286. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0229.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of the front of the
trailer, and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the weight of the
loaded vehicle and trailer must be within
the weight ratings for the vehicle.
.GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating
.GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch Adjustment”
under Towing Equipment 0211 to determine
if equalizer bars are required to obtain the
maximum trailer weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0211 to determine if brakes are
required based on your trailer's weight.
The only way to be sure the weight is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
the tow vehicle and trailer combination,
fully loaded for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
{Warning
You and others could be seriously injured
or killed if the trailer is too heavy or the
trailer brakes are inadequate for the load.
The vehicle may be damaged, and the
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in this
section have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about
towing a trailer.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
222 Vehicle Care
LIH 1.2L L3 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
(1 qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0295.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above
or below the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful to the
engine. If you find that you have an oil
level above the operating range, i.e., the
engine has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the MAX mark, the engine
could be damaged. You should drain out
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the excess oil or limit driving of the
vehicle and seek a service professional to
remove the excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0218 for
the location of the engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range between the
MIN and MAX marks. Push the dipstick all
the way back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0290.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that meet the
dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been approved by GM
as meeting the dexos1 specification are
marked with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended engine
oil or equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade engine oil for
1.3L L3 engine.
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade engine oil for
1.2L L3 engine. Cold Temperature Operation:
In an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C (−20 °F), an
SAE 0W-30 oil may be used for the 1.2L L3
engine. An oil of this viscosity grade will
provide easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 223
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos1
specification are all that is needed for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that can be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil
stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment.
If you change your own oil, be sure to drain
all the oil from the filter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water.
Recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that
indicates when to change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a combination of
factors which include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at which
an oil change is indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life
has been diminished, it indicates that an oil
change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system
might indicate that an oil change is not
necessary for up to a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least once a
year and, at this time, the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained service people
who will perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil
regularly over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset accidentally, the
oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
Reset the system whenever the engine oil is
changed so that the system can calculate
the next engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 109. This display shows an estimate of
the oil’s remaining useful life. If 10% is
displayed, that means that 10% of the
current oil life remains.
2. Press and hold
lor the thumbwheel
while the Oil Life display is active. The
oil life will change to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
comes back on when the vehicle is started,
the engine oil life system has not been
reset. Repeat the procedure.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
226 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to
maintain the correct working temperature.
1.2L L3 Engine (LIH)
1.3L L3 Engine (L3T)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for five
years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0229.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 227
Warning (Continued)
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.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an authorized
service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
It is normal to see coolant moving in the
upper coolant hose return line when the
engine is running.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the mark pointed to, add a
50/50 mixture of clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool before
this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 277
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory. Use a
de-icing agent only when absolutely
necessary, and have the locks greased after
using. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0290.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it
often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic,
or abrasive cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint, metal,
or plastic parts. If damage occurs, it
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning products can
be obtained from your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate disposal of
any vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure washes closer
than 30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the
vehicle. Use of power washers exceeding
8 274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result in
damage or removal of paint and decals.
If using an automatic car wash, follow the
car wash instructions. The windshield wiper
and rear window wiper, if equipped, must
be off. Remove any accessories that may be
damaged or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before washing and
after, to remove all cleaning agents
completely. If they are allowed to dry on
the surface, they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or
an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
Cleaning Underhood Components
Caution
Do not power wash any component
under the hood that has this
e
symbol.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Solvents or aggressive cleaners may harm
underhood components. The usages of these
chemicals should be avoided.
Recommend water only.
A pressure washer may be used, but care
must be utilized. The following criteria must
be followed:
.Water pressure must be kept below
14 000 KPa (2,000 PSI).
.Water temperature must be below 80 °C
(180 °F).
.Spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle
spray pattern or wider must be used.
.Nozzle must be kept at least 30 cm (1 ft)
away from all surfaces.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not recommended.
If painted surfaces are damaged, see your
dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings,

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Index 321
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Disabled Vehicle Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171, 234
Driver Assistance Systems, Advanced . . . . . . . . . 187
Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 205
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . 146
E
ElectricBrake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 243 Electrical System (cont'd)
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 247
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 102
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Coolant Temperature WarningLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211