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16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Driving and Operating 153
.On AWD vehicles, seeAll-Wheel Drive
0 171.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area. To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means to always expect
the unexpected. The first step in driving
defensively is to wear a seat belt. See Seat
Belts 048.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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162 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.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.
.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.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.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.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTrailer Towing 0208 for the
trailer towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
On new vehicles, the various mechanical and
electrical systems experience a “break-in”
period during the first 6 400 km (4,000 mi)
of routine driving. As the vehicle is driven,
the mechanical systems adjust to provide
optimal fuel economy and transmission shift
performance.
Electrical systems will adapt and calibrate
during the break-in period. A one-time
occurrence of clicks and similar vehicle
noises is normal during this process. Normal driving charges the vehicle’s battery
to achieve the best operation of the vehicle,
including fuel economy and the Stop/Start
System. See
Stop/Start System 0165.
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
The remote key must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the pushbutton
start is not working, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Keyless Access system.
See Remote Key Operation 010.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
178 Driving and Operating
following gap is the following time between
your vehicle and a vehicle detected directly
ahead in your path, moving in the same
direction. If no vehicle is detected in your
path, ACC works like regular cruise control.
ACC uses a windshield mounted front
camera sensor.
If a vehicle is detected in your path, ACC can
apply acceleration or limited, moderate
braking to maintain the selected following
gap. To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling the vehicle speed when
the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/ Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, ACC may automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0174. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely used, ACC
can be turned back on. Disabling the TCS or
StabiliTrak/ ESC system will disengage and
prevent engagement of ACC.
ACC can reduce the need for you to
frequently brake and accelerate, especially
when used on expressways, freeways, and
interstate highways. When used on other
roads, you may need to take over the
control of braking or acceleration more
often.{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and may
not have time to slow the vehicle down
enough to avoid a collision with another
vehicle you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver” later in this section.
Complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0153
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads or when
the camera sensor is blocked by snow,
ice, or dirt. The system may not
detect a vehicle ahead. Keep the
windshield and headlamps clean.
.When visibility is poor due to rain,
snow, fog, dirt, insect residue, or dust;
when other foreign objects obscure
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the camera’s view; or when the
vehicle in front or oncoming traffic
causes additional environmental
obstructions, such as road spray. ACC
performance is limited under these
conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast changes
in tire traction can cause excessive
wheel slip.
.With extremely heavy cargo loaded in
the cargo area or rear seat.
.When towing a trailer.
Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 323
HeaterEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144, 146
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 49
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144, 146
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Indicator Auto Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Indicators Warning Lights and Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 67
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Infotainment Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Inspection
Multi-Point Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 124
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
K
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Remote Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
LampsCourtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 123
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Malfunction Indicator (CheckEngine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Lamps (cont'd)
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 77
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Lights Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
All-Wheel-Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
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324 Index
Lights (cont'd)Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Gauges and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lane Keep Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Service Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 104
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Traction Control System (TCS)/Electronic Stability Control
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Media
Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Messages Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Mirrors (cont'd)
Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Rear Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection (MPVI) . . . . 288
N
Navigation
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Online Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
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326 Index
Remote (cont'd)Key Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Replacing
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . 77
Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . 55
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . 167
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Roof
Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . 169S
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Buckle To Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . 49
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Seats (cont'd)
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 80
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 215
Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . 285
Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Sidemarker Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238, 241