2010 JEEP COMPASS engine overheat

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. When
safe, pull over and stop the vehicle with the engine at
idle. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359

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 the
requested 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.
360 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
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).
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 371

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
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.
392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze) and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Overheating.......................... 360
Selection Of Lubricant ................... 400
Shifting ............................. 284
Special Additives ...................... 401
Autostick ............................. 285
Battery ............................... 387
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 24
Belts, Seat .............................. 82
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 389
B-Pillar Location ........................ 313
Brake Assist System ...................... 300
Brake Fluid ............................ 423
Brake, Parking .......................... 293
Brake System ........................ 296,398
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................... 297,299
Master Cylinder ....................... 399
Parking ............................. 293
Warning Light ........................ 186 Brakes
............................. 296,398
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 283
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 80
Bulb Replacement ..................... 412,413
Bulbs, Light .......................... 83,412
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 421
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 421
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 339
Oil (Engine) ....................... 378,385
Power Steering ........................ 293
Car Washes ............................ 404
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............81,339
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 170
Cargo Area Features ...................... 169
Cargo Compartment Light ............................... 169
Luggage Carrier ....................... 176
10
INDEX 457

Electronic Stability Program............... 303
Traction Control System ................. 299
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 148
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 303
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 196
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 360
Jump Starting ......................... 366
Towing ............................. 371
Emission Control System Maintenance ......380,426
Engine ............................... 378
Block Heater ......................... 279
Break-In Recommendations ................ 80
Checking Oil Level ..................... 383
Cooling ............................. 393
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 81,339
Fuel Requirements ..................... 335
Jump Starting ......................... 366
Oil ........................... 383,421,422Oil Change Interval
.................... 384
Oil Filler Cap ...................... 378,385
Oil Filter ............................ 422
Oil Selection .......................... 384
Oil Synthetic ......................... 385
Overheating .......................... 358
Temperature Gauge .................... 189
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 67
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............36,81,339,391
Exhaust System ....................... 81,391
Exterior Lights .......................... 83
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 386
Air Conditioning ...................... 271
Engine Oil ........................ 386,422
Flashers .............................. 358
Hazard Warning ....................... 358
Turn Signal ...................... 83,184,416
460 INDEX

Odometer............................. 192
Trip ............................. 190,192
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 198
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 198
Oil, Engine ......................... 383,421
Capacity ............................ 421
Change Interval ....................... 384
Checking ............................ 383
Disposal ............................ 385
Filter ............................... 386
Identification Logo ..................... 384
Materials Added to ..................... 385
Recommendation ................... 384,421
Synthetic ............................ 385
Viscosity ............................ 385
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............379,380
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 152
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 5
Overdrive ............................. 285 Overheating, Engine
................... 189,358
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........5,451
Paint Care ............................. 403
Panic Alarm ............................ 23
Parking Brake .......................... 293
Passing Light ........................... 143
Personal Settings ........................ 201
Pets .................................. 80
Phone, Cellular .......................... 93
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 93
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 313
Power Door Locks ........................... 29
Mirrors .............................. 91
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 161
Steering .......................... 291,293
Sunroof ............................. 158
Transfer Unit ......................... 403
466 INDEX