2009 JEEP COMPASS overheating

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 “Maintenance”, Section 7 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!
•Being 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.
•The 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.
332 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 Transaxle
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with
the front wheels elevated or on a flatbed truck (all four
wheels off the ground).
•All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles must be towed on a
flatbed truck (all four wheels off the ground).
CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Manual Transaxle
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
•FWD vehicles can be towed with the front or rear
wheels elevated.
•FWD or AWD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck
(all wheels off the ground).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 341
6

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:•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for a prolonged period.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
(Continued)
358 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 269
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 360
Adding Fuel........................... 312
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 356
Additives, Fuel......................... 310
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 352
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 354
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 243
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............354,355
Air Conditioning System.................. 354
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 289
Airbag................................ 48
Airbag Deployment.....................53,55
Airbag Light.....................54,57,70,164
Airbag Maintenance....................... 57
Airbag, Side............................ 55
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain).............49,55
Alarm Light........................... 168
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 19Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 231
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........359,386,387
Capacities........................... 386
Disposal............................ 362
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).............. 269
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 165
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 19
Appearance Care........................ 368
Assistance Towing........................ 94
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 76
Automatic Door Locks...................28,29
Automatic Transaxle...........12,251,256,332,366
Fluid Level Check...................... 366
Interlock System....................... 257
Overheating.......................... 332
Selection Of Lubricant................... 366
Shifting............................. 258
Special Additives...................... 366
418 INDEX

Towing............................. 341
Emission Control System Maintenance......347,390
Engine............................... 345
Break-In Recommendations................ 68
Checking Oil Level..................... 349
Cooling............................. 358
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 311
Fuel Requirements..................... 307
Jump Starting......................... 338
Oil ...........................349,386,387
Oil Change Interval.................... 350
Oil Filler Cap......................345,351
Oil Filter............................ 387
Oil Selection.......................... 350
Oil Synthetic......................... 351
Overheating.......................... 330
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 56
Event Data Recorder...................... 58Exhaust Gas Caution............35,69,311,356,357
Exhaust System......................... 356
Fabric Care............................ 371
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 352
Engine Oil........................352,387
Flashers.............................. 330
Hazard Warning....................... 330
Turn Signal........................164,381
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 337
Flooded Engine Starting................... 253
Fluid, Brake........................... 388
Fluid Capacities......................... 386
Fluid Leaks............................. 70
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 366
Power Steering........................ 266
Fluids................................ 387
422 INDEX

Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 5
Outside Air Intake....................... 244
Overdrive............................. 259
Overheating, Engine...................168,330
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).........5,413
Paint Care............................. 368
Panic Alarm............................ 24
Parking Brake.......................... 267
Passing Light........................... 124
Personal Settings........................ 179
Pets.................................. 68
Phone, Cellular.......................... 79
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect) .............. 79
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 284
Power
Door Locks........................... 27
Mirrors.............................. 77
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 144Steering..........................265,266
Sunroof............................. 140
Transfer Unit......................... 368
Windows............................. 32
Power Steering Fluid..................... 388
Power Transfer Unit...................... 368
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 48
Preparation for Jacking.................... 333
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 46
Programmable Electronic Features............ 179
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 24
Radial Ply Tires......................... 291
Radio Operation........................ 237
Radio, Satellite.......................... 229
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 367
Rear Drive Assembly..................... 367
428 INDEX