2024 BUICK ENCORE GX heat

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Climate Controls 147
Climate Control Display
1. Temperature Display
2. Fan Control
3. Recirculation
4. A/C (Air Conditioning)
5. Air Delivery Mode Controls
6. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
7. On/Off (Power)
8. Temperature Controls
The fan, air delivery mode, air conditioning,
and temperature settings can be controlled
by touching CLIMATE on the infotainment
home page. A selection can then be made
on the front climate control page displayed. 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 pressed, 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.
2. Set the temperature. Allow the system time to stabilize. Adjust the temperature
as needed for best comfort.
To improve fuel efficiency and to cool the
vehicle faster, recirculation may be
automatically selected in warm weather.
The recirculation light will not come on
when automatically controlled. See
@
under “Manual Operation” for more details.
During hands free calling the blower level
may automatically reduce. The blower level
can be manually adjusted if desired. Manual Operation
ON/OFF :
Press to turn the system off or
on. When off is selected, the system will
prevent outside air from entering the
vehicle. If any climate control buttons are
pressed, the system will turn on and
operate at the current setting.
Q^or^ R:Lift or press to increase or
decrease the fan speed. The fan speed
setting appears on the main display. Lifting
or pressing either button cancels automatic
fan control and the fan is controlled
manually. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
Q/R: The temperature can be adjusted
separately for the driver and the passenger.
Lift or press to increase or decrease the
temperature.
SYNC : Press to link the passenger
temperature settings to the driver setting.
The SYNC indicator light will turn on. When
the passenger settings are adjusted, the
SYNC indicator light turns off.
Air Delivery Mode Controls : In the climate
control display, press
z,Y, or[to
change the direction of the airflow. The
indicator light in the button will turn on.
Any combination of the three buttons can

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
148 Climate Controls
be selected. The current mode appears in
the display. Pressing any of the three
buttons cancels automatic air delivery
control and the direction of the airflow is
controlled manually. Press AUTO to return
to automatic operation.
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.
[: 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. Pressing this button cancels automatic air
conditioning and turns off the air
conditioner. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. When the
indicator light is on, the air conditioner runs
automatically to cool the air inside the
vehicle or to dry the air needed to defog
the windshield faster.
@:
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.
xory: Liftxoryfor the highest
heated seat setting. Lifting the heated seat
button again will keep the heated seat at
the highest setting. Press the heated seat
button down to lower the heat level or turn
the heated seat off. See Heated Front Seats
0 44.
Auto Defog : The climate control system
may have a sensor to automatically detect
high humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply and
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.
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.
The rear window defogger can be set to
automatic operation. 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 7 °C (44 °F) and below.
The auto rear defogger turns off
automatically.
If equipped, the heated outside mirrors 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
0 30.

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
Driving and Operating 151
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 152
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 167Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 168
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 169
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 177
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems . . . 187
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . 191
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 193
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 195
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . 204

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Driving and Operating 157
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs
(e.g., falling rocks area, winding roads,
long grades, passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. See
All-Wheel Drive0171.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Caution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0174.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0172.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. See
All-Wheel Drive 0171.
Cold Weather Mode
In very low temperatures, a cold weather
message may display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The engine speed,
transmission shift patterns, and cabin fan
speed may operate differently to enable the
vehicle to warm up quicker. You can
manually override the cabin fan speed in
cold weather mode.

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
164 Driving and Operating
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.
SeeAdd-On Electrical Equipment 0213.
Gasoline Engine Starting Procedure
1. With the Keyless Access system, the
remote key must be in the vehicle. Press
ENGINE START/STOP with the brake pedal
applied. When the engine begins
cranking, let go of the button.
The idle speed will go down as the
engine gets warm. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it.
If the remote key is not in the vehicle,
if there is interference, or if the remote
key battery is low, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display a message. See
Remote Key Operation 010.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the ignition to the
START position immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat and
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
damage the cranking motor, and drain
the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there as you
press ENGINE START/ STOP. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down. When
the engine starts, release the accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Driving and Operating 165
Stop/Start System
The Stop/Start system shuts off the engine
to help conserve fuel. The system is
designed to manage the increased number
of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature
causes the engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit the vehicle
before shifting to P (Park). The vehicle
may restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the vehicle
is at a complete stop, the engine may turn
off. When stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. SeeTachometer098. When
the brake pedal is released or the
accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart.
To maintain vehicle performance, other
conditions may cause the engine to
automatically restart before the brake pedal
is released. Auto Stops may not occur and/or auto
restarts may occur because:
.The climate control settings require the
engine to be running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to charge.
.The vehicle battery has recently been
disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not been
reached since the last Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at the
required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in the
required operating range.
.The vehicle transmission is shifted out of
D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have been selected.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
.The driver door has been opened or driver
seat belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the maximum
allowed time.
Auto Stop Disable Switch
The automatic engine stop/start feature can
be disabled and enabled by pressing the
switch with the
hsymbol. Auto Stop is
enabled each time you start the vehicle.
When the indicator above
his illuminated,
the system is disabled.