2008 JEEP COMPASS checking oil

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!
If you are required to drive with the deck lid / liftgate
open, make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 317
7

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one quart of
oil when the reading is at the low end of the indicated
range will result in the oil level at the full end of the
indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase
in oil temperature. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 for
recommended engine oil change intervals.
Engine Oil Selection (Gasoline Engines)
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler
Material Standard MS-6395.
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
²The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
Power Steering Ð Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
326 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
²Check the Manual Transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
366 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
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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

Maintenance, General..................... 317
Maintenance Procedures................... 317
Maintenance Schedule.................... 365
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 168,314
Manual, Service......................... 376
Manual Transaxle..................227,229,339
Downshifting......................... 231
Fluid Level Check...................340,341
Frequency of Fluid Change............340,341
Lubricant Selection...............339,340,341
Map/Reading Lights..................... 113
Master Cylinder (Brakes).................. 337
Mirrors................................ 73
Electric Powered....................... 74
Outside.............................. 73
Rearview............................. 73
Vanity............................... 76
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 266Mopar Parts.........................316,375
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 114
Navigation Radio........................ 204
Navigation System....................... 204
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 65
Occupant Restraints....................... 34
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 275
Odometer............................. 167
Trip .............................165,167
Oil Change Indicator..................... 172
Oil Change Indicator, Reset................. 172
Oil, Engine.........................317,360
Capacity............................ 360
Change Interval....................... 318
Checking............................ 317
Disposal............................ 320
Filter............................... 320
INDEX 391
10

Identification Logo..................... 319
Materials Added to..................... 319
Recommendation...................318,360
Synthetic............................ 319
Viscosity............................ 319
Oil Pressure Light....................... 161
Onboard Diagnostic System..............313,314
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLinkt) ........... 134
Operator Manual (Owner's Manual)............ 5
Outside Air Intake....................... 221
Overdrive............................. 235
Overheating, Engine...................... 296
Owner's Manual (Operator Manual).........5,376
Paint Care............................. 341
Panic Alarm............................ 21
Parking Brake.......................... 241
Passing Light........................... 118
Personal Settings........................ 175Pets.................................. 65
Phone, Cellular.......................... 76
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnectŸ)............. 76
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 252
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses)............... 347
Door Locks........................... 27
Mirrors.............................. 74
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 144
Steering..........................246,326
Steering, Checking..................... 326
Sunroof............................. 141
Transfer Unit......................... 341
Windows............................. 31
Power Steering Fluid..................... 362
Power Transfer Unit...................... 341
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 46
Preparation for Jacking.................... 299
392 INDEX