Buick Encore: Winter Driving

Driving on Snow or Ice

Snow or ice between the tires and the road creates less traction or grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 ºC (32 ºF) 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
• 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)

• 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.

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. See Roadside Assistance Program. 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.
• Adjust the climate control system to circulate the air inside the vehicle and setthe fan speed to the highest setting. See "Climate Control Systems." For more information about CO, see Engine Exhaust

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

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).

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 spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see Towing the Vehicle

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