2012 JEEP COMPASS overheating

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel, below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
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.
380 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transmission 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 transmission
cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating may reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 381

8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
10. Reinstall the air intake duct.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 1st gear
and Reverse (with manual transmission). Using minimal
accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking mo-
tion, without spinning the wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission)
or 1st gear and Reverse (with manual transmission),
do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h),
or drivetrain damage may result.
•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 transmis-
sion 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.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 397

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.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.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
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 manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 314
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 423
Adding Fuel ........................... 361
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 418
Additives, Fuel ......................... 359
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 412
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 414
Air Conditioning ........................ 276
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 276
Air Conditioning Filter .................287,415
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............414,415
Air Conditioning System .............276,280,414
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 288
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 337
Airbag .............................. 61,70
Airbag Deployment ....................... 71
Airbag Light ................... 68,69,74,86,197
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 73
Airbag, Side ...................... 64,67,69,70Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........65,67,70
Alarm Light ........................... 201
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................239,263
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 314
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 198
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........422,445,446
Capacities .......................... 445
Disposal ........................... 425
Appearance Care ........................ 432
Assistance Towing ....................... 112
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
Automatic Door Locks ................... 32,33
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 280
Automatic Transaxle ................. 12,294,381
Overheating ........................ 381
476 INDEX

Electronic Roll Mitigation............... 318
Traction Control System ................ 316
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 157
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 322
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 211
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 382
Jump Starting ....................... 392
Towing ............................ 399
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 406
Engine ............................ 403,404
Block Heater ........................ 296
Break-In Recommendations .............. 84
Checking Oil Level ................... 409
Cooling ........................... 421
Exhaust Gas Caution ................85,360
Fuel Requirements .................... 357
Jump Starting ....................... 392
Oil ......................... 409,445,446Oil Change Interval
................... 410
Oil Filler Cap .................. 403,404,411
Oil Filter ........................... 446
Oil Selection ........................ 410
Oil Synthetic ........................ 411
Overheating ........................ 380
Temperature Gauge ................... 201
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 71
Ethanol ............................... 358
Event Data Recorder ...................... 74
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 39,85,360
Exhaust System ....................... 85,419
Exterior Lights .......................... 88
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 412
Air Conditioning .................. 287,415
Engine Oil ....................... 412,446
480 INDEX

Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 348
Mopar Parts ......................... 407,470
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 358
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 148
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 84
Occupant Restraints ................... 39,67,71
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...........64,65,67,70
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 357
Odometer ............................. 205
Trip ........................... 203,205
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 214
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 214
Oil, Engine ......................... 409,445
Capacity ........................... 445
Change Interval ..................... 410
Checking .......................... 409
Disposal ........................... 411 Filter
............................. 412
Identification Logo ................... 410
Materials Added to ................... 411
Recommendation .................. 410,445
Synthetic .......................... 411
Viscosity ........................... 411
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............405,406
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 160
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 5
Overheating, Engine ................... 202,380
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........5,471
Paint Care ............................. 432
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 310
Passing Light ........................... 150
Personal Settings ........................ 217
Pets .................................. 84
Phone, Cellular .......................... 98
486 INDEX