Buick Encore (2016 year). Manual

Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-

9234779) - 2016 - CRC - 1/5/16

182

Driving and Operating

Fuel

Use of the recommended fuel is an
important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. When
driving in the U.S. and Canada, to
help keep the engine clean and
maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend using
TOP TIER Detergent Gasolines.
See www.toptiergas.com for a list of
TOP TIER Detergent Gasolines.

Use regular unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. Do not use gasoline with an

octane rating below 87, as it may
cause engine damage and will lower
fuel economy.

Use of Seasonal Fuels

Use summer and winter fuels in the
appropriate season. The fuels
industry automatically modifies the
fuel for the appropriate season.
If fuel is left in the vehicle tank for
long periods of time, driving or
starting could be affected. Drive the
vehicle until the fuel is at one-half
tank or less, then refuel with the
current seasonal fuel.

Prohibited Fuels

Gasolines containing oxygenates
such as ethers and ethanol, as well
as reformulated gasolines, are
available in some cities. If these
gasolines comply with the
previously described specification,
then they are acceptable to use.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must be used only in
FlexFuel vehicles.

Caution

Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be
covered under the vehicle
warranty.

Some gasolines, mainly high octane
racing gasolines, can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use
gasolines and/or fuel additives with
MMT as they can reduce spark plug
life and affect emission control
system performance. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, see your dealer
for service.

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183

California Fuel
Requirements

If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle may not pass a smog-check
test. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0 106.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it
is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Fuels in Foreign
Countries

If planning to drive in countries
outside the U.S. or Canada, the
proper fuel might be hard to find.
Check regional auto club or fuel
retail brand websites for availability
in the country where driving. Never
use leaded gasoline, fuel containing
methanol, manganese, or any other
fuel not recommended. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper
fuel would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.

Fuel Additives

To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel 0 182.

If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of Fuel
System Treatment PLUS added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. Fuel System
Treatment PLUS is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.

Filling the Tank

{

Warning

Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.

To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.

Turn off the engine when
refueling.

Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.

Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.

Do not use a cell phone
while refueling.

Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.

Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.

(Continued)

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Driving and Operating

Warning (Continued)

Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.

The fuel cap is behind a hinged fuel
door on the right rear side of the
vehicle.

If equipped, the fuel door is locked
when the vehicle doors are locked.
Press

on the RKE transmitter to

unlock.

To open the fuel door, push and
release the rearward center edge of
the door.

To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise. The fuel
cap has a spring in it; if the cap is
released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.

While refueling, hang the tethered
fuel cap from the hook on the
fuel door.

{

Warning

Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:

Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.

Fuel spills.

Potential fuel fires.

Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0 252.

When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. Make sure
the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0 106.

{

Warning

If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.

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185

Caution

If a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0 106.

Filling a Portable Fuel
Container

{

Warning

Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other

(Continued)

Warning (Continued)

means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:

Use approved fuel
containers.

Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.

Place the container on the
ground.

Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.

Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.

Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.

Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.

Trailer Towing

General Towing
Information

The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.

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Driving and Operating

Conversions and
Add-Ons

Add-On Electrical
Equipment

{

Warning

The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 106. A device connected to the
DLC — such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device — may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.

Caution

Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.

Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.

The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 0 69 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 0 69.

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Vehicle Care

Jump Starting

Jump Starting - North

America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

Towing the Vehicle

Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Recreational Vehicle

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250

Appearance Care

Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

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 Proposition
65 Warning

WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts
and systems, many fluids, and
some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals.

See Battery - North America 0 207
and Jump Starting - North
America 0 246.

California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements

Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.

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189

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, 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 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 0 69.

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 manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.

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, see Service
Publications Ordering
Information 0 287.

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Vehicle Care

This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 0 69.

Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0 274.

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

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.

2. Go to the front of the vehicle

and move the secondary hood
release lever toward the right
side of the vehicle.

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3. Lift the hood and release the

hood prop from 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. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop. Remove the hood prop
from the slot in the underside
of the hood and return the prop
to its retainer. The prop rod
must click into place when
returning it to the retainer to
prevent hood damage.

2. 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.

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1. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0 198.

2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See

Engine Oil 0 195.

3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See

Engine Oil 0 195.

4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of

View). See Cooling
System 0 199.

5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank

and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0 199.

6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See

Brakes 0 205.

7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See

Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0 215.

8. Battery - North America 0 207.

9. Windshield Washer Fluid

Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0 204.

10. Engine Compartment Fuse

Block 0 215.

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1. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0 198.

2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See

Engine Oil 0 195.

3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of

View). See Cooling
System 0 199.

4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See

Engine Oil 0 195.

5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank

and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0 199.

6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See

Brakes 0 205.

7. Auxiliary Fuse Block. See

Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0 215.

8. Battery - North America 0 207.

9. Windshield Washer Fluid

Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0 204.

10. Engine Compartment Fuse

Block 0 215.

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. See Engine Oil
Life System 0 197.

Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Checking Engine Oil

It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle

must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 192 for the location of the engine
oil dipstick.

Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:

1. If the engine has been running

recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.

{

Warning

The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.

2. Pull out the dipstick and 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.

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Vehicle Care

When to Add Engine Oil

1.4L L4 Turbo Engine (LUV)

1.4L L4 Turbo Engine (LE2)

If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications 0 276.

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 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
0 192 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 0 272.

Specification

Ask for and use 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.

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Viscosity Grade

Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.

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. 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.

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 DIC message comes on.
See Vehicle Messages 0 116.
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.

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Buick Encore (2016 year). Manual - part 12