2024 BUICK ENCORE GX instrument panel

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Climate Controls 149
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.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. If equipped with heated
seats or a heated steering wheel, these
features may come on during a remote
start. See Remote Vehicle Start 017, See
Heated Front Seats 044, and Heated
Steering Wheel 089.
Sensor
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.
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.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
158 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
0 301. To get help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0168.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
174.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
If equipped, select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See All-Wheel Drive 0171.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
206 Driving and Operating
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned to alert or off
when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert (LCA),
the LCA detection zones that extend back
from the side of the vehicle do not move
further back when a trailer is towed. Use
caution while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA), use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA detection zones
that extend out from the back of the vehicle
do not move further back when a trailer is
towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death from
carbon monoxide (CO), when towing a
trailer:
.Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to a
setting that brings in only outside air.
See“Climate Control Systems” in the
Index.
For more information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust 0168.
Towing a trailer requires experience. The
combination of the vehicle and trailer is
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle
itself. Get used to the handling and braking
of the combination by driving on a level
road surface before driving on public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and the
brakes must be all be rated to carry the
intended cargo. Inadequate trailer
equipment can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer hitch parts
and attachments, safety chains, electrical
connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing Equipment 0211. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination
moving and then manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check the trailer brakes work. During the trip, occasionally check
that the cargo and trailer are secure and
that the lamps and any trailer brakes are
working.Towing with a Stability Control System
When towing, the stability control system
might be heard. The system reacts to
vehicle movement caused by the trailer,
which mainly occurs during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving without a
trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination will not
accelerate as quickly and is much longer so
it is necessary to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before returning to the
lane. Pass on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
214 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 215
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 215
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps (Base
Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 243
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 247
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 252
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 255
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 255
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 260
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 262
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 262
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 263
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 270
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . 273
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
216 Vehicle Care
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, seePublication Ordering
Information 0306.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 64.
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 017.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 293.
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. To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. It is located on the lower left
side of the instrument panel.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 245
J-Case Fuses UsageF01 N/A
F05 N/A F13 REAR WNDW DEFOG
F21 E-BOOST PWR1
F23 STRTR PINION
F59 N/A
F62 N/A
F63 N/A
M-case Fuses Usage F04 FRT WPRF30 STRTR SOL F37 AUX OIL PUMP
F39 N/A
F43 PWR WNDW RT F55 PWR WNDW LT
F60 N/A F61 N/A Mini Relays Usage
K03 RUN/CRNK
K04 REAR DEFOG
K06 STRTR PINION
K08 PT RLY
K09 N/A
HC Micro Relays Usage
K01 N/A
K02 N/A
K05 STRTR SOL
K07 A/C CNTRL K10 N/A
Ultra Micro Relays Usage
K11 N/AInstrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse block is on the
underside of the driver side instrument
panel. To access the fuses, open the fuse
cover by pulling out. To reinstall the cover,
insert the top tab first, then push the cover
back into its original location.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 283
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-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
294 Technical Data
Technical Data
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 294
Service Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 295
Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the front corner of
the instrument panel, on the driver side of
the vehicle. It can be seen through the
windshield from outside. The Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) also appears on
the Vehicle Certification label and certificates
of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN is the
engine code. This code identifies the
vehicle's engine, specifications, and
replacement parts. See“Engine
Specifications” underCapacities and
Specifications 0295 for the vehicle's
engine code.
Service Parts Identification
There may be a large barcode on the
certification label on the center pillar that
you can scan for the following information:
.Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
.Model designation
.Paint information
.Production options
If there is not a large barcode on this label,
then you will find this same information on
a label in the rear storage area.