Summer Tow Season Cooling: 2013-2022 Buick Encore Checklist

Radiators, hoses and transmission cooling under load. Applied to a 2013-2022 Encore, here is what that looks like.

Glass and Wipers

Watch for wipers that park in the wrong position. Blades every six to twelve months. In North Texas, summer heat kills blades faster than winter does.

Ignition and Engine Management

Watch for a misfire code that follows the coil when you swap it to another cylinder. Iridium plugs on most modern GM engines are a 90,000 to 100,000 mile item. Coils are replaced on failure, not on a schedule.

Exhaust and Emissions

Watch for an exhaust tick on cold start that quiets as the manifold expands. Not scheduled. Converters are warranted separately under federal emissions rules, so check coverage before you buy.

Drivetrain and Transfer Case

Watch for a clunk on the transition from drive to reverse. Transfer case and differential fluid on a schedule that tightens sharply if you tow or run in dust. Wheel bearings are replaced on noise, not on mileage.

The Short Version

Wiper blades: Driver and passenger blades are frequently different lengths on the same vehicle.
Spark plugs: The same nameplate can have three different engines in one model year. VIN is the only reliable way to get the right plug.
Catalytic converters: Emissions equipment varies by state of original sale on some model years.
Transfer case encoder motors: Ride height, axle ratio and locking differential content all change these numbers.

Ordering is easiest if you have the VIN in front of you. Head to our Buick OEM parts catalog to shop by vehicle, or search for Encore parts to go straight to a part.