2008 JEEP COMPASS heating

Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral but do not increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
þrefer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
towing with all four wheels on the ground)
CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the driv-
etrain will result.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................296
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................296
mAutomatic Transaxle Overheating...........298
mJacking And Tire Changing................298
NJack Location........................299
NSpare Tire Stowage....................299
NPreparations For Jacking................299NJacking Instructions....................300
mJump-Starting Procedures Due To A Low
Battery..............................303
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................305
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................306
NWith Ignition Key.....................306
NWithout The Ignition Key...............307
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is located on the instrument
panel, below the radio. Depress the switch and
both cluster indicators and all front and rear
directional signals will flash. Depress the
switch again to turn Hazard Warning Flashers
off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may wear down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle
with the engine at idle, when safe. Turn off the air
conditioning and wait until the pointer drops back into
Hazard Warning Flasher
296 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot.
If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to therequested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you
need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
298 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause axle, tire
damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are stuck.
And don't let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h). Do not spin the wheels continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Automatic And Manual Transaxle
Front-wheel-drive vehicles must have the front wheels
elevated; Four-wheel-drive vehicles must be hauled on a
flatbed truck.
306 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune up to manufacturers specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for prolonged period.
Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from sticking or plugging due to deposits. As vehicle
mileage builds up, the PCV valve and passages may
accumulate deposits. If a valve is not working properly,
replace it with a new valve. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
CLEAN THE OLD PCV VALVE!
Check ventilation hose for indication of damage or
plugging deposits. Replace if necessary.
322 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 244
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 331
Adding Fuel........................... 279
Adding Washer Fluid..................122,153
Additives, Fuel......................... 277
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 323
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 325
Air Conditioning Controls................. 214
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 220
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............325,326
Air Conditioning System................214,325
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 257
Airbag................................ 46
Airbag Deployment.....................50,52
Airbag Light.....................51,54,67,161
Airbag Maintenance....................... 54
Airbag, Side............................ 52
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain).............46,52
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............18,164Alignment and Balance................... 264
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 211
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........330,360,361
Capacities........................... 360
Disposal............................ 333
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............126,244
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 18
Appearance Care........................ 341
Automatic Door Locks...................27,28
Automatic Transaxle...........12,227,232,298,339
Fluid Level Check...................... 339
Interlock System....................... 233
Overheating.......................... 298
Selection Of Lubricant................... 339
Shifting............................. 234
Special Additives...................... 339
Autostick............................. 236
382 INDEX

Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 123
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 130
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 171
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 298
Jump Starting......................... 303
Towing............................. 306
Emission Control System Maintenance......314,364
Engine.............................65,312
Break-In Recommendations................ 65
Checking Oil Level..................... 317
Cooling............................. 329
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 278
Fuel Requirements..................... 275
Jump Starting......................... 303
Oil ...........................317,360,361
Oil Change Interval.................... 318
Oil Filler Cap......................312,319
Oil Filter............................ 361Oil Selection.......................... 318
Oil Synthetic......................... 319
Operation............................ 65
Overheating.......................... 296
Temperature Gauge..................... 164
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 53
Event Data Recorder...................... 55
Exhaust Gas Caution............33,66,278,328,329
Exhaust System......................... 328
Fabric Care............................ 344
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 323
Engine Fuel.......................... 323
Engine Oil........................320,361
Flashers.............................. 296
Hazard Warning....................... 296
Turn Signal.......................... 354
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 302
386 INDEX