2016 JEEP COMPASS towing

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground Manual Transmission Automatic TransmissionFlat Tow None
•Transmission in NEU-
TRAL
• Key in ACC PositionNOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front FWD Models ONLY FWD Models ONLY Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer AllOK OK
NOTE:
• When recreationally towing your vehicle, always fol-
low applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state
and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional
details. •
Vehicles equipped with manual transmissionsmay be
recreationally towed (flat towed) at any legal highway
speed, for any distance, if the manual transmissionis
in NEUTRAL and the ignition key is in the ACC
position.
448 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 449

SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................483
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........484▫
With Ignition Key .....................486
452 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove theshift lever override access cover (located on the right
side of the shift lever housing). 4. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON/RUN
position, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
6. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access port, and push and hold the override release lever
forward.
7. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
8. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
9. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
Shift Lever Override Access Cover
484 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing
Condition Wheels OFF
the Ground Manual
Transmission 6-Speed Automatic
(FWD Only) 6-Speed Automatic
4WD CVT Auto-
matic Trans- mission
Flat Tow NONE
• Transmis-
sion in
NEUTRAL
• Key in
ACC or
ON/RUN
position
If transmission is
operable:
•Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 25 mph
(40 km/h) max
speed
• 15 miles (24 km)
max distance
If transmission is
operable:
•Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 25 mph
(40 km/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 ALLBEST
METHOD BEST METHOD BEST METHOD BEST
METHOD
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 485

With Ignition Key
Automatic Transmission
•Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with
the front wheels elevated, or on a flatbed truck (all four
wheels OFFthe ground).
• Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles can be towed on a
flatbed truck (all four wheels OFFthe ground).
If the transmission is operable, Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
and Four Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles, with the 6-speed
automatic transmission only ( NOTthe Continuously
Variable automatic transmission [CVT]), may be flat
towed (with all four wheels on the ground) under the
following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km). Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models (with 6-speed auto-
matic
only) may also be towed (under the same limita-
tions shown above) with the rear wheels elevated.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with a
CVT automatic transmission. Damage to the drive-
train will result. If these vehicles require towing,
make sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty..
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer to “Shift Lever
Override” in this section for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
486 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Manual Transmission
•Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
vehicles can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
• FWD vehicles can be towed with the front wheels
elevated.
• FWD or 4WD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck
(all wheels OFFthe ground).
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any disabled vehicle if condition
is related to the clutch, transmission or driveline.
Additional damage to the drivetrain could result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe engine, transmission,
or drivetrain damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
All Transmissions
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defroster, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the trans-
mission remains in NEUTRAL.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 487

CAUTION!
•Do not use sling-type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. The only
approved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
488 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES