Buick Encore: Engine Heater
Vehicles may have an engine
heater. The engine heater can help
in cold weather conditions at or
below −18 ºC (0 ºF) for easier
starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up. Plug in the
heater at least four hours before
starting the vehicle. An internal
thermostat in the plug end of the
cord will prevent engine heater
operation at temperatures above
−18 ºC (0 ºF).
Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked
in a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal
injury may result. Always park the
vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
- Turn off the engine.
- Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is in
the driver side of the engine
compartment, near the battery.
It is shipped from the factory
with a tie holding it in place.
Use care in removing the tie so
that the cord is not damaged.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
- Plug it into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
- Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
- Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
- Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater
cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
- While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
- Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach
the cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from
any moving parts.
- Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on
to off, the following features (if
equipped) will continue to function
for up to 10 minutes, or until the
driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the
ignition is in RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY:
- Infotainment System
- Power Windows (during RAP
this functionality will be lost
when any door is opened)
- Sunroof (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when
any door is opened)
- Auxiliary Power Outlet
- Audio System
- OnStar System
READ NEXT:
Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
Move the shift lever into
P (Park) by pressing the button
on the shift lever and pushing
the lever all the way toward the
This vehicle is equipped with a shift
lock control. The shift lock control is
designed to prevent movement of
the shift lever out of P (Park) unless
the ignition is on and the brake
pedal is applied.
Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is best not to p
SEE MORE:
Definitions and abbreviations
Throttle Positions
Engine Braking
A condition where the engine is used to slow the vehicle by manually
downshifting during a zero throttle
coastdown.
Full Throttle Downshift
A quick apply of the accelerator pedal to its full travel, forcing a
downshift.
Heavy Throttle
When securing a child restraint with
the seat belts in a rear seat position,
study the instructions that came with
the child restraint to make sure it is
compatible with this vehicle.
If the child restraint has the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) for how and