2009 JEEP COMPASS ESP

Where one or more wheels have wheel spin or if addi-
tional traction is needed in sand, deep snow, or loose
traction surfaces, activate the 4WD LOCK switch by
pulling up once and releasing. This locks the center
coupling allowing more torque to be sent to the rear
wheels. The 4WD Indicator Light will come on in the
cluster. This can be done on the fly, at any vehicle speed.
To deactivate, simply pull on the switch one more time.
The 4WD Indicator Light will then go out.
NOTE:Refer to Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in the
“Electronic Brake Control System” section of this manual
for additional information.DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
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WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.
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ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad-
vanced electronic brake control system that includes
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System
(TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Roll Mitiga-
tion (ERM), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). All
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions and are commonly
referred to as ESP.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in this section of the
manual for more information about ABS.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in
either the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes. Refer to
“Electronic Stability Program (ESP)” in this Section of this
manual.
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Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel and may also reduce
engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will
occur. ERM will only intervene during very severe or
evasive driving maneuvers.
ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring
during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It can not
prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or
other vehicles.NOTE:Anytime the ESP system is in the “Full Off”
mode, ERM is disabled. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)” for a complete explanation of the avail-
able ESP modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or rollovers, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ERM-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
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Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over-steering or under-steering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the over-steering or under-steering condi-
tion. Engine power may also be reduced to help the
vehicle maintain the desired path. ESP uses sensors in the
vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the
driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle.
When the actual path does not match the intended path,
ESP applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the over-steer or under-steer condition
•Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESP/TCS
Indicator Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
WARNING!
•Electronic Stability Program (ESP) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions.
(Continued)
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WARNING! (Continued)
•ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents.
•The capabilities of an ESP-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
ESP Operating Modes
The ESP system has three available operating modes for
4WD equipped vehicles and two available operating
modes for 2WD equipped vehicles.Full On (4WD Models) or On (2WD Models)
This is the normal operating mode for ESP. Whenever the
vehicle is started the ESP system will be in this “On”
mode. This mode should be used for most driving
situations. ESP should only be turned to “Partial Off” or
“ESP Off” for specific reasons as noted below.
Partial Off (4WD Models) or On (2WD Models)
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the ESP
OFF switch. When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS portion
of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature described in
the TCS section, has been disabled and the “ESP/TCS
Indicator Light” will be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESP function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction.
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To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF
switch. This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of
operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP OFF switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the ESP OFF switch. This may be done while the vehicle
is in motion.
Full Off (4WD Models Only)
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu-
verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by
depressing and holding the ESP OFF switch for five
seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is
running. After five seconds, the “ESP/TCS IndicatorLight” will illuminate and the “ESP Off” message will
appear in the odometer. Press and release the Trip
Odometer button located on the instrument cluster to
clear this message.
In this mode, ESP and TCS, except for the “limited slip”
feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). At
35 mph (56 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off”
mode, as described above. TCS remains off. When the
vehicle speed drops below 30 mph (48 km/h) the ESP
system shuts off. ESP is deactivated at low vehicle speeds
so that it will not interfere with off-road driving however,
ESP function returns to provide the stability feature at
speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h). The “ESP/TCS Indica-
tor Light” will always be illuminated when ESP is off.
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To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF
switch. This will restore the “ESP On” mode of operation.
NOTE:The “ESP OFF” message will display and an
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed
into the PARK position from any other position, and then
moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if
the message was previously cleared.
WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emer-
gency evasive maneuver, the ESP system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESP Off”
mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use,
only.
ESP/BAS Warning Light and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator for the ESP is combined with
the BAS indicator. The yellow “ESP/BAS Warning
Lamp” and the yellow “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster both come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position. They should both go
out with the engine running. If the “ESP/BAS Warning
Lamp” comes on continuously with the engine running,
a malfunction has been detected in either the ESP or BAS
system, or both. If this light remains on after several
ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several
miles/kilometers at speeds greater than 30 mph
(48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as possible
to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
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