2015 JEEP COMPASS Owners Manual

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in first gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting or changes in engine speed occur
while in this range, use the AutoStick® shift control (if
equipped) to select a lower gear ratio.
NOTE:Using a lower gear ratio while operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
Seven-Pin Connector
1—Battery5—Ground2—BackupLamps6—LeftStop/Turn3—RightStop/Turn7—RunningLamps4 — Electric Brakes
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STARTING AND OPERATING 423

excessive shifting and heat buildup. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the transmis-
sion fluid and filter as specified for#police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing#. Refer to the#Maintenance
Schedule#for the proper maintenance intervals.
AutoStick® — If Equipped
When using the AutoStick® shift control, select the
highest gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose#4#if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose#3#or#2#if
needed to maintain the desired speed.
To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as necessary
to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
•Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
•When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
•Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
424 STARTING AND OPERATING

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission
Flat TowNone•Transmission in NEUTRAL
•Key in ACC Position
NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front OK (FWD Only) OK (FWD Only)
Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On TrailerAllOKOK
NOTE:Vehicles equipped withmanual transmissions
may be recreationally towed (flat towed) at any legal
highway speed, for any distance, if themanual transmis-
sionis in NEUTRAL and the ignition key is in the ACC
position.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. If these vehicles require towing, make
sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a dolly is used when recreational towing.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
!HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS...........429
!IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS............429
!WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS......................430
▫Torque Specifications..................430
!JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING..........432
▫Jack Location........................433
▫Spare Tire Stowage....................433
▫Preparations For Jacking................433
▫Jacking Instructions...................434
▫Road Tire Installation...................440
!TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED.........442
▫Tire Service Kit Storage.................442
▫Tire Service Kit Components And Operation . . .443
▫Tire Service Kit Usage Precautions..........444
▫Sealing A Tire With Tire Service Kit.........446
!JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES...........452
▫Preparations For Jump-Start..............453
▫Jump-Starting Procedure................454
6

!FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE.............457
!SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE................458
!TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE...........460
▫With Ignition Key.....................461
428 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional 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.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 429

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.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
Torque Specifications
Lug Nut/Bolt
Torque
**Lug Nut/
Bolt Size
Lug Nut/Bolt
Socket Size
100 Ft-Lbs
(135 N·m)
M12 x 1.25 19 mm
**Use only Chrysler recommended lug nuts/bolts and
clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening.
430 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES