2012 JEEP COMPASS Owners Manual

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owner’s Manual containsWARNINGSagainst op-
erating procedures that could result in a collision or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONSagainst proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire manual, you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on the
left front corner of the instrument panel, visible through
the windshield. This number also is stamped into the
right front body, on the right front seat crossmember
under the carpet and the vehicle registration and title.
Vehicle Identification Number
1
INTRODUCTION 7

NOTE:It is illegal to remove or alter the VIN.
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle could
seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety and
may lead to a collision resulting in serious injury or
death.
Right Front Body VIN Location
8 INTRODUCTION

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys ................. 12
▫ Ignition Key Removal .................. 12
▫ Locking Doors With A Key .............. 14
▫ Key-In-Ignition Reminder ............... 14
 Sentry Key .......................... 15
▫ Replacement Keys ..................... 16
▫ Customer Key Programming ............. 16
▫ General Information ................... 17 
Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped ........ 18
▫ To Arm The System ................... 18
▫ Rearming The System .................. 18
▫ To Disarm The System ................. 19
▫ Vehicle Security Alarm Manual Override ..... 19
 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) — If Equipped . . . 20
▫ To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate ......... 21
▫ Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All First
Press .............................. 21
2

▫Illuminated Approach — If Equipped ....... 22
▫ To Lock The Doors And Liftgate .......... 22
▫ Sound Horn With Remote Key Lock ........ 22
▫ Flash Lights With Remote Key Lock/Unlock . . 23
▫ Using The Panic Alarm ................. 24
▫ Programming Additional Transmitters ...... 25
▫ General Information ................... 25
▫ Transmitter Battery Replacement .......... 25
 Remote Starting System — If Equipped ....... 26
▫ How To Use Remote Start ............... 27
 Door Locks ........................... 30
▫ Manual Door Locks ................... 30
▫ Power Door Locks .................... 31 ▫
Child-Protection Door Lock System — Rear
Doors ............................. 34
 Power Windows — If Equipped ............ 36
▫ Power Window Switches ................ 36
▫ Auto-Down ......................... 37
▫ Window Lockout Switch ................ 37
 Liftgate ............................. 38
 Occupant Restraints ..................... 39
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belts .................... 43
▫ Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage . . . 48
▫ Second Row Center Lap/Shoulder Belt
Operating Instructions .................. 49
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure .... 52
▫ Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions ..... 52
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) —
If Equipped ......................... 53
▫ Energy Management Feature ............. 54
▫ Seat Belt Pretensioners ................. 54
▫ Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR)
— If Equipped ....................... 55
▫ Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert) ......................... 59
▫ Seat Belt Extender ..................... 60
▫ Seat Belts And Pregnant Women .......... 61
▫ Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) —
Air Bags ............................ 61
▫ Advanced Front Air Bag Features .......... 63▫
Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls . . . 67
▫ Event Data Recorder (EDR) .............. 74
▫ Child Restraints ...................... 75
 Engine Break-In Recommendations .......... 84
 Safety Tips ........................... 85
▫ Transporting Passengers ................ 85
▫ Exhaust Gas ......................... 85
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ............................. 86
▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ................... 88
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The authorized dealer that sold you your new vehicle has
the key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These
numbers can be used to order duplicate keys. Ask your
authorized dealer for these numbers and keep them in a
safe place.
Ignition Key Removal
1. Place the shift lever in PARK (if equipped with an
automatic transmission).
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC (Accessory)
position.
3. Push the key and cylinder inward and rotate the key to
the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key from the ignition switch lock cylinder.
Vehicle Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If you try to remove the key before you place the
shift lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tem-
porarily in the ignition switch cylinder. If this occurs,
place the shift lever in PARK, rotate the key to the right
slightly, then remove the key as described. If a malfunc-
tion occurs, the system will trap the key in the ignition
cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inoperable.
The engine can be started and stopped but the key cannot
be removed until you obtain service.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re-
move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving
the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
(Continued)
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK3 — ON/RUN
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — START
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

WARNING! (Continued)
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN
position. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Locking Doors With A Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key to the right. To unlock the door, turn
the key to the left. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition
and the ignition position is LOCK or ACC, sounds a
signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:With the driver’s door open and the key in the
ignition, the power door locks will not lock and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will not function.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE