2012 JEEP COMPASS weight

Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyfrom side-to-
side which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and
trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause
of many trailer collisions.
Never exceed the maximum trailer tongue weight
stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The trailer tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
370 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or authorized dealer-installed
options, must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Tire Safety Information” for the maximum
combined weight of occupants and cargo for your
vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your vehicle drivetrain
components, the following guidelines are recommended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible: (Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 371

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning corners.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. Always block or chock
the trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight).
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®)........... 160
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............361,363,405
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 445
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 357
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 357
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 201
Fuel .............................. 196
Odometer .......................... 205
Tachometer ......................... 199
Gear Ranges ........................... 301
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 397
General Information ................. 17,128,356
General Maintenance ..................... 408
Glass Cleaning .......................... 436
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 366
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............364,365Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™)
.............. 98
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 380
Head Restraints ......................... 141
Headlights ............................ 443
Cleaning ........................... 436
High Beam ......................... 150
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 150
Passing ............................ 150
Replacing .......................... 443
Switch ............................ 148
Heated Mirrors .......................... 97
Heated Seats ........................... 135
Heater ............................... 276
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 296
Hill Descent Control ................... 209,319
Hill Start Assist ......................... 320
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 368
482 INDEX

Pressure Warning Light................ 203
Quality Grading ..................... 473
Radial ............................ 339
Replacement ........................ 344
Rotation ........................... 346
Safety .......................... 326,336
Sizes ............................. 328
Snow Tires ......................... 346
Spare Tire .......................... 383
Spinning ........................... 342
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 342
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 370
Towing ............................... 365
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 112
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 399
Guide ............................. 369
Recreational ........................ 377
Weight ............................ 369
Towing Assistance ....................... 112 Trailer Towing
.......................... 365
Cooling System Tips .................. 376
Hitches ............................ 368
Minimum Requirements ................ 371
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 370
Wiring ............................ 374
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 369
Trailer Weight .......................... 369
Transaxle Automatic ....................... 12,294
Autostick .......................... 306
Manual ......................... 293,296
Transmission Automatic ....................... 299,429
Fluid ............................. 429
Manual ........................... 430
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 160
10
INDEX 491