2015 JEEP COMPASS tow

- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor fuel quality, etc., may
illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays
on through several typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive
normally and not require towing.
If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious conditions may exist that could
lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. We recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
-ElectronicStabilityControl(ESC)Activation/MalfunctionIndicatorLight
If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” comes on continuously with the
engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles
(kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), we recommend you do not
operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” starts to flash as soon as the tires
lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. If the light begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be
sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. The light also
flashes when TCS is active. To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep
snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch the ESC system to Partial Off mode
by momentarily pressing the ESC Offswitch.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LIGHTS
- Turn Signal Indicator
The arrows will flash with the exterior turn signals when the turn signal lever is
operated. A tone will chime, and a EVIC message will appear if either turn signal is
left on for more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTE:
If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective outside light bulb.
- High Beam Indicator
Indicates that headlights are on high beam.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
84

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.
When the transmission overheat warning lightturns on, you will experience
reduced performance until the automatic transmission cools down. Once the trans-
mission has cooled down and the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
If the high speed is maintained, the overheating will continue to occur.
If the overheating continues, it may become necessary to stop the vehicle and run the
engine at idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the light turns off.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed under the load floor in the cargo area.
Spare Tire Stowage
The compact spare tire is stowed under
the rear load floor in the cargo area.
Spare Tire Removal
• Lift up the load floor cover and remove
the hold down.
Spare/Jack/Tools
1 — Spare Tire2 — Jack And Tools
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
87

5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel and wheel covers, where applicable, off
the hub. Install the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts.
NOTE:
The wheel cover is held on the wheel by
the wheel nuts. When reinstalling the
original wheel, properly align the wheel
cover to the valve stem, place the wheel
cover onto the wheel, then install the
wheel nuts.
6. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack
screw to the left.
7. Finish tightening the nuts. Push down
on the wrench while at the end of the
handle for increased leverage. Tighten
the lug nuts in a star pattern until
each nut has been tightened twice.
The correct wheel nut torque is 100
ft/lbs (135 N·m). If you doubt that you have tightened the nuts correctly, have
them checked with a torque wrench by your authorized dealer or service station.
8. Remove the wheel blocks and lower the jack until it is free. Reassemble the lug
wrench to the jack assembly and stow it in the spare tire area. Secure the
assembly using the means provided.
9. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area,have the tire repaired or replaced as
soon as possible.
10. Check the spare tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct the tire pressure as
required.
Installing Spare
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
90

Road Tire Installation
Vehicles Equipped With Wheel Covers
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. To ease the installation process for steel wheels with wheel covers, install two lug
nuts on the mounting studs which are on each side of the valve stem. Install the
lug nuts with the cone shaped end of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the
lug nuts.
3. Align the valve notch in the wheel
cover with the valve stem on the
wheel. Install the cover by hand,
snapping the cover over the two lug
nuts. Do not use a hammer or exces-
sive force to install the cover.
4. Install the remaining lug nuts with the
cone shaped end of the nut toward the
wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
5. Lower the vehicle to the ground by
turning the jack handle counterclock-
wise.
6. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push
down on the wrench while at the end
of the handle for increased leverage.
Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern
until each nut has been tightened
twice. The correct tightness of each
lug nut is 100 ft/lbs (135 N·m). If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them
checked with a torque wrench by your authorized dealer or service station.
7. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensure
that all lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel.
Wheel Cover Installation
1 — Valve Stem2 — Valve Notch3 — Wheel Lug Nut4 — Wheel Cover5 — Mounting Stud
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
91

Vehicles Without Wheel Covers
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. Install the remaining lug nuts with the cone shaped end of the nut toward the
wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
3. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
4. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the
handle for increased leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each nut
has been tightened twice. The correct tightness of each lug nut is 100 ft/lbs
(135 N·m). If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or service station.
5. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensure
that all lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel.
CAUTION!
• Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those
indicated in the Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
• Be sure to mount the spare tire with the valve stem facing outward. The vehicle
could be damaged if the spare tire is mounted incorrectly.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
92

WARNING!
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the
jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take
it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jack
should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving
traffic, pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or
damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway
as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK;
a manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting this vehicle during
a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are securely stowed, spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable. It
could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel covers with care to avoid
contact with any sharp edges.
• A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could injure the
occupants in the vehicle. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced
immediately.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the lug nuts
fully until the vehicle is lowered to the ground. Failure to follow this warning
may result in personal injury.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
93

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLETowing Condition
Wheels OFF the
Ground
Manual Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
(FWD Only)
6-Speed Automatic
4WD
CVT AutomaticTransmission
Flat Tow
NONE
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
•KeyinACCorON/
RUN position
If transmission is oper-
able:
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
•25mph(40km/h)
max
speed
• 15 miles (24 km)
max
distance
If transmission is
operable:
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
•25mph(40km/h)
max
speed
• 15 miles (24 km)
max
distance
NOT ALLOWED
Wheel Lift or Dolly
Tow
Rear
NOT ALLOWED
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Front FWD Models
ONLY
OK
NOT ALLOWED
FWD Models
ONLY
Flatbed
ALL
BEST METHOD BEST METHOD BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
98

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
For information on the maintenance procedures for your vehicle, please refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” in your Owner’s Manual or
applicable supplement on the DVD for further details.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change indicator system. The oil
change indicator system will remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change indicator message will
illuminate. This means that service is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold ambient temperatures
will influence when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message is dis-
played. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the change oil message to illuminate
as early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) equipped vehicles, “Oil Change
Required” will be displayed in the EVIC and a single chime will sound, indicating that
an oil change is necessary.
On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles, “Change Oil” will flash in the instrument cluster
odometer and a single chime will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator message after completing
the scheduled oil change. If a scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Instrument Cluster Warning Lights” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” in this guide or “Instrument Cluster Descriptions” or “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” in the
Owner’s Manual on your DVD for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 10,000 miles
(16,000 km) or twelve months, whichever comes first.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
108