2016 JEEP COMPASS Owners Manual

•In the event of deployment of an Active Head Re-
straint, refer to “Occupant Restraints/Resetting Active
Head Restraints (AHR)” in “Things To Know Before
Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
• All occupants, including the driver, should not
operate a vehicle or sit in a vehicle’s seat until the
head restraints are placed in their proper positions
in order to minimize the risk of neck injury in the
event of a collision.
• Do not place items over the top of the Active Head
Restraint, such as coats, seat covers or portable
DVD players. These items may interfere with the
operation of the Active Head Restraint in the event
of a collision and could result in serious injury or
death.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Active Head Restraints may be deployed if they are
struck by an object such as a hand, foot or loose
cargo. To avoid accidental deployment of the Ac-
tive Head Restraint ensure that all cargo is secured,
as loose cargo could contact the Active Head Re-
straint during sudden stops. Failure to follow this
warning could cause personal injury if the Active
Head Restraint is deployed.
Rear Head Restraints
The head restraints in the rear are non adjustable. Refer to
“Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Start-
ing Your Vehicle” for information on Tether routing.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 159

Folding Rear Seat
To provide additional storage area, each rear seatback can
be folded forward. Pull the strap forward to fold the rear
seatback flat.To raise the seatback, pull the strap forward and lift the
seatback into its upright position.
Rear Seat Release Straps
Folded Rear Seat
160 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback is not securely locked into
position the seat will not provide the proper stability
for child seats and/or passengers. An improperly
latched seat could cause serious injury.
Reclining Rear Seat — If Equipped
For additional comfort, pull the strap forward just
enough to release the seatback latch. Then push the
seatback to a reclined position, approximately 35 degrees
maximum, and release the strap.
WARNING!
Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your chest.
In a collision you could slide under the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured. Use the recliner
only when the vehicle is parked.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 161

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located on the left kickpanel. 2. Move the safety latch, located outside the vehicle
under the front edge of the hood, toward the center
and raise the hood.
Hood Release Lever
Hood Safety Latch Location
162 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Lift the hood prop rod, clipped to the right side (left side
facing hood) of the engine compartment to secure the
hood in the open position. Place the hood prop at the
location stamped into the inner hood surface.CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage:
•Before closing hood, make sure the hood prop rod
is fully seated into its storage retaining clips.
• Do not slam the hood to close it. Use a firm
downward push at the center front edge of the
hood to ensure that both latches engage. Never
drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
Prop Rod Location
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163

LIGHTS
Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever controls the operation of the
headlights, parking lights, turn signals, headlight beam
selection, instrument panel light dimming, interior lights,
the passing lights, and the fog lights. The multifunction
lever is located on the left side of the steering column.
Headlights And Parking Lights
Turn the end of the multifunction lever to the first detent
to turn on the parking lights. Turn the end of the lever to
the second detent to turn on the headlights.
Multifunction Lever
Headlight Control
164 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Headlights — If Equipped
Turning the end of the multifunction lever to the third
detent (AUTO), will activate the automatic headlight
system.With the engine running and the multifunction lever in
the AUTO position, the headlights will turn on and turn
off based on the surrounding light levels.
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
The high beam lights will come on as Daytime Running
Lights (lower intensity), whenever the ignition is ON, the
engine is running, the headlight switch is off, the parking
brake is off, the turn signal is off, and the shift lever is in
any position except PARK.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are left on after the
ignition is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the
driver when the driver’s door is opened.
Headlight Switch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 165

Fog Lights — If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the multifunc-
tion lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn
on the parking lights or the low beam head-
lights and pull out the end of the multifunction lever. NOTE:
The fog lights will only operate with the head-
lights on low beam. Selecting high beam headlights will
turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the multifunction lever up or down and the arrows
on each side of the instrument cluster flash to show
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
Front Fog Light Operation
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE