File in Section:

Service Bulletin

Bulletin No.:
Date:

PI0901
February, 2013

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
Subject:

Encore New Model Features and Service Guide

Models:

2013 Buick Encore

This is a special bulletin to introduce the 2013 Buick Encore. The purpose of this bulletin is to make you familiar with
the vehicle's features and describe the action your Service Department Personnel will need to take to ensure that
your dealership is able to fully service this vehicle.

About the Vehicle
The 2013 Buick Encore will offer several models for the 5-passenger small crossover market: Standard*,
Convenience, Leather and Premium. Visit http://www.Buick.com/Encore or www.Buick.ca and select Encore for full
packaging and ordering information.
* Not Applicable in Canada
Encore features include:
• 10 standard air bags , (frontal , knee , thorax and Side curtain air bags)
• 1.4L turbo four-cylinder LUV/six-speed automatic powertrain
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rainsense wipers
• Remote vehicle start
• Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
• Forward collision alert and lane departure warning
• Front and rear park assist
• Rear vision camera (Standard on all packages for US - standard on Leather/Premium packages for Canada)
• Buick’s voice-activated IntelliLink – which uses Bluetooth or a USB to connect the driver’s smartphone, full
color seven-inch LCD display radio
• Bose premium sound system
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
• All-wheel-drive system (Available as an option)
• Variable-effort electric power steering system
• The front passenger seat and the rear seat feature a fold-down option
• Blue-accented projector-beam headlamps and detailed taillamps enhance the premium appearance
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Ice blue ambient lighting and premium seats
• Nine exterior colors and three interior color combinations will be offered
• Six-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar adjustment and driver memory
• Buick QuietTuning features include (treated headliner, high-strength-steel roof panel, Sound-absorbing
materials used in the cabin, under the hood and in the wheel house liners. Acoustic-laminated windshield and
thicker 5 mm side window glass, Foam baffle insulation at the opening of body structure cavities. Active noise
cancellation technology.

Trim Packages offered for US market (in Canada,
refer to www.buick.ca)

Encore Group

Convenience
Group

Leather Group

Premium
Group

Standard Equipment

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Convenience Package
EC ISRVM/Remote Start/Dual Auto HVAC/120 Volt
Outlet/Fog Lights
Leather Package
Heated Steering Wheel/Power Passenger Seat/Heated
Seats/Leather/Driver Seat Memory
Premium Package
Rainsense Wipers/Premium Bose Audio/Front and
Rear Park Assist/FCA=LDW/Cargo Net and Mat

X

Premium Bose Audio (UQA)

X
OPT

OPT

OPT

Navigation (UHQ)

AWD

OPT

OPT

OPT

OPT

18 “ Chrome Wheels (RV8)

OPT

OPT

OPT

Sunroof (CF5)

OPT

OPT

OPT

Engine
The Buick Encore is powered by an efficient, power-dense Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and
six-speed automatic transmission. It generates an estimated 138 horsepower.
The 1.4L turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility.
A reinforced crankshaft and forged connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized
power and torque over a wide rpm band.
Several of the engine’s features contribute to the Encore’s overall fuel efficiency, including:
• A high-efficiency alternator
• Regulated voltage control
• Electronically controlled returnless fuel system
• Deceleration fuel cut-off
Note: The cooling fan may run for up to four minutes after the ignition is turned off on the 1.4L RPO LUV equipped
vehicle to allow for additional turbo cooling.

Transmission
A Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission backs the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine.
The Hydra-Matic 6T40 offers a “steep” first gear and a “tall” overdrive top gear to achieve a wide ratio spread of
6.14:1. This allows the Encore to achieve robust acceleration, as well as fuel efficiency and lower engine noise at
highway cruising speeds. A neutral-gear disengagement feature helps enhance smoothness and efficiency.
Manual Mode
Manual Mode allows the driver to manually select the range of gear positions. This feature can be used to drive the
vehicle in a sportier manner or to downshift when driving on a downhill grade to provide engine braking.
1. Move the shift lever to the Manual (M) position.
2. Press the + plus or – minus button on the side of the shift lever to upshift or downshift. The current gear will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center. If vehicle speed is too high or too low for the requested gear, the
shift will not occur. When coming to a stop, the transmission will downshift automatically.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Note: Hill Start Assist will not operate if StabiliTrak is disabled.
When stopped on a hill, the Hill Start Assist feature prevents the vehicle from rolling before driving off. During the
transition between when the driver releases the brake pedal and starts to accelerate, HSA holds the brake pressure
for two seconds to ensure the vehicle doesn’t roll.

Neutral Idle (Automatic Only)
The Encore is equipped with a feature called Neutral Idle. This feature saves on fuel by automatically shifting the
vehicle into a neutral state when the vehicle comes to a stop and your foot is on the brake. It will then shift back to
gear as you release the brake pedal. The customer may experience a different feeling during starts and stops when
driving this vehicle compared to other vehicles and may experience a slight roll on an incline.

Interior Door Handle Unlock Feature
Similar to other Global A electrical architecture vehicles, this vehicle is equipped with an interior door handle unlock
feature. With the doors locked, one pull on an interior door handle will unlock the door and a second pull will open the
door. Note: The rear doors will not function this way if the Electronic Child Safety Lock is activated.

Trunk Release
There is no trunk release switch in the cabin of the Encore. To release the trunk use the Key Fob or the electric
switch located directly beneath the Buick emblem on the cross car center of the rear deck lid. The key fob is not
active if the key is in the ignition.

Global Diagnostic System (GDS)
The 2013 Encore is utilizing GM’s Global A electrical architecture. This requires the use of the Global Diagnostic
System (GDS) software and the Multi Diagnostic Interface (MDI) module. Training courses 16048.30W-R2, H-R2
(U.S) and courses 16048.27V and 16039.16H (Canada) cover the use of the MDI and GDS for diagnostics.
Dealerships requiring assistance in the process of installing GDS and the MDI should contact the Techline Customer
Support Center@1-800-828-6860 (English) or 1-800-503-3222 (French).

Keys
Due to the uniqueness of the Encore ignition/door lock key, special equipment is required to cut a key. If you do not
have the required equipment, a cut/coded key can be ordered through GM CC&A. Refer to the latest version of
Corporate Bulletin Number 09-00-89-029 (Key Cutting Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Key) for additional
information. The remote control transmitter and the key shank are not serviced separately.

Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter
Unlock:
• Press to unlock the driver door. Press again to unlock all doors and liftgate.
Lock:
• Press to lock all doors and liftgate. The driver door will not lock if open.
Note: Open Vehicle Settings in the Configuration menu to change the remote lock and unlock settings.
Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm
Press and release to locate your vehicle. The turn signal lamps will flash and the horn will sound.
Press and hold to activate the alarm. The turn signal lamps will flash and the horn will sound until the button is
pressed again or the ignition is turned ON.
Remote Vehicle Start
Press and release the Lock button and then press and hold the button to start the engine from outside the vehicle.
After entering the vehicle, turn the ignition to the ON position.
• The engine will run for 10 minutes. Repeat these steps for a 10-minute time extension.
• Only two remote starts are allowed between ignition cycles.
• Press and hold the button to cancel a remote start.

Express Power Windows
All windows have an express-down feature. Fully press the desired window switch for the window to open
completely.
The driver window has an express-up feature. Fully pull the driver window switch for the window to close completely.

Tilt/Telescope Steering Wheel
With the vehicle parked, push down the lever on the left side of the steering column to adjust the steering wheel. The
steering wheel can then be moved up or down and in or out. Pull up the lever to lock the steering wheel in place.

Seat
Power Driver Seat
6–Way Seat Adjustment: Move the horizontal control to move the seat forward or rearward and to tilt, raise or lower
the seat.
Lumbar Adjustment: Move the vertical control to adjust the lumbar support.
Seatback Recline Adjustment: Lift the rear lever to recline or raise the seatback.

Memory Seat
Set Memory Positions
1. Folding Front Passenger Seat Adjust the driver seat and power outside mirrors to the desired position.
Favorite radio stations and climate control settings also can be stored.
2. Press and hold the Memory button and button 1 on the outboard side of the driver seat until a beep sounds.
3. Repeat these steps using button 2 for a second driver.
Recall Memory Positions
Press and hold button 1 or 2 until the stored position is reached.
Note: Open vehicle settings in the Configuration menu to change the seat settings.
Folding Front Passenger Seat

3269553

1. Lower the head restraint all the way.
2. Move the seat as far back as possible.
3. Lift the lever fully and fold the seatback forward. If necessary, move the safety belt out of the way to access the
lever.
4. Continue lowering the seatback until it is completely folded and locks in place.

Folding Rear Seats

3271148

1. Unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position. Place the seat belt in the hook on the
seat back as shown.

3271149

3271152

2. Pull up the rear edge of the seat bottom cushion and tilt it forward.

3271150

3271151

3. Fully lower the headrest.

3271153

4. Press the release button in the upper seatback then fold down the seatback.

Lighting

3269524

Exterior Lights
Instrument Panel Lighting
[Off icon] Off/On
AUTO Automatic Headlamp System
Activates the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) in the daytime and the headlamps and other exterior lamps at night or
when necessary.
Parking Lamps
Headlamps
Fog Lamps
Press to turn the fog lamps on or off.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Rotate and hold the switch to adjust the instrument panel lighting.

Windshield Wipers and Washer
Windshield Wipers

3269522

Rear Wiper and Washer
Press the switch on the end of the lever to operate the rear wiper.
HI — High Speed
LO — Low Speed
INT Intermittent or Rainsense
Rotate the band to adjust the delay between wipes or the Rainsense system sensitivity. The wipers activate more
often as the band is rotated upward.
Mist Icon
Mist — Single Wipe
Washer Fluid
Push the lever away from you to spray washer fluid on the rear window

Cruise Control

3269546

Setting Cruise Control
1. Press the ON/OFF button. The Cruise Control symbol will illuminate in white on the instrument cluster.
2. When traveling at the desired speed, rotate the switch down to the SET position to set the speed. The symbol
will illuminate in green on the instrument cluster.
Adjusting Cruise Control
RES/+ Resume/Accelerate — Toggle the switch up to resume a set speed. When the system is active, toggle the
switch up to increase speed.
SET/– Set/Coast — When the system is active, toggle the switch down to decrease speed.
Cancel — Press to cancel the cruise control but retain the set speed in memory. Pressing the brake pedal also will
cancel the cruise control.
Turn off cruise control or the vehicle ignition to erase the cruise control set speed. (See Driving and Operating in your
Owner Manual)

Driver Information Center Controls

3269550

DIC Controls — Menu
Press to display the Vehicle Information menu (units, tire pressure, remaining oil life, battery voltage) or the Trip/Fuel
Information menu (digital speedometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average fuel economy, instantaneous fuel
economy, average vehicle speed, time, OnStar Turn-by-Turn guidance navigation)
DIC Controls — (Arrow Icons)
Rotate the switch to scroll through the items of each menu.
SET/CLEAR
Press and hold the button on the end of the lever to set or clear a menu item or warning message.

Infotainment System

3269560

3269526

Note: Avoid extended searching for specific items or configuring system settings while driving.
Setting The Time
1. Press the CONFIG button and then turn the TUNE/MENU knob to select Time and Date Settings.
2. Select the desired feature.
3. Turn the TUNE/MENU knob to adjust the highlighted number.
4. Press the TUNE/MENU knob to select the next number.
5. To save and return to the Time and Date Settings menu, press BACK at any time or press the TUNE/MENU
knob after adjusting the value.
6. Repeat steps 2–5 for the remaining feature.
Storing Favorite Stations
Radio stations from all bands (AM, FM or XM♦) can be stored, in any order, on up to six pages of favorites.
1. Tune in the desired radio station.
2. Press and hold one of the six preset screen buttons until a beep is heard.
3. Repeat the steps for each desired station.
Portable Audio Devices
Accessory power outlets are located in the center console and in the lower center of the instrument panel. A 110V
power outlet also is located in the lower center of the instrument panel.
Note: Connect an iPod/iPhone USB cord after starting the vehicle for optimum performance.
A USB port is located in the center console storage compartment.
An iPod™, iPhone™, MP3 Player, a USB flash drive or a USB mass storage device can be connected to the USB
port. Compatible devices connected to the USB port can be controlled by the audio system. Not all devices may be
supported. Use the audio controls and audio steering wheel controls to access various functions.

Vehicle Personalization
Some vehicle features can be customized using the audio controls and menus. Vehicle Settings menus may include