2010 JEEP COMPASS coolant temperature

17. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
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 an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
18. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped This indicator shows that the Electronic Speed
Control System is ON.
19. 4WD Indicator — If Equipped
This light indicates the vehicle is in 4WD.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189

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

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)
WARNING! (Continued)
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
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 is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393

CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle. Please review these recommendations for using
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine
coolant (antifreeze).When adding engine coolant (antifreeze), a minimum
solution of 50% recommended MOPAR
Antifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology), or equivalent, in water
should be used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed
70%) if temperatures below 34°F (37°C) are antici-
pated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant (antifreeze)
solution. The use of lower quality water will reduce the
amount of corrosion protection in the engine cooling
system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines
shown on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
the coolant freeze point or replacing the engine coolant
(antifreeze). Advise your service attendant of this. Aslong as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory,
the coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397

•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
recovery bottle must also be protected against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) per-
formance, poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 297
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 395
Adding Fuel ........................... 339
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 390
Additives, Fuel ......................... 337
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 386
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 388
Air Conditioning ........................ 260
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 260
Air Conditioning Filter .................... 271
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 272
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............388,389
Air Conditioning System .............260,264,388
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 318
Airbag .............................. 56,66
Airbag Deployment ....................... 67
Airbag Light ................... 57,64,70,82,184
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 69
Airbag, Side ...................... 59,63,65,66Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........60,63,66
Alarm Light ........................... 188
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 253
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........394,421,422
Capacities ........................... 421
Disposal ............................ 396
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 297
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 185
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Appearance Care ........................ 403
Assistance Towing ....................... 107
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 89
Automatic Door Locks ................... 29,31
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 264
Automatic Transaxle ...........12,277,282,360,400
Fluid Level Check ..................... 401
Interlock System ....................... 283
456 INDEX

GaugesCoolant Temperature ................... 189
Fuel ............................... 183
Odometer ........................... 192
Tachometer .......................... 186
Gearshift .............................. 284
General Information ................. 18,121,334
General Maintenance ..................... 382
Glass Cleaning .......................... 407
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 344
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............342,344
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 93
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 289
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 358
Head Restraints ......................... 133 Headlights
............................ 413
Cleaning ............................ 407
High Beam .......................... 143
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 143
Passing ............................. 143
Replacing ........................... 413
Switch .............................. 140
Heated Mirrors .......................... 92
Heated Seats ........................... 131
Heater ............................... 260
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 279
Hill Start Assist ......................... 302
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 346
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 152
Hood Release .......................... 138
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
462 INDEX