2017 JEEP COMPASS towing

Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness and
connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles wiring
harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector. Refer
to the following illustrations.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 — If Equipped
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. However,
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 perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat buildup. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
• If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the trans-
mission fluid and filter as specified for police, taxi, fleet,
or frequent trailer towing. Refer to the Maintenance
Plan for the proper maintenance intervals.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 233

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 FrontFWD Models ONLY FWD Models ONLY
Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer AllOK OK
NOTE:
• When recreational towing your vehicle, always follow
applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and
provincial Highway Safety offices for additional details.
• Vehicles equipped with manual transmissionsmay be
recreational 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.
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 dam-
age to the transmission or transfer case will occur if
a dolly is used when recreational towing.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 235

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ............274
▫ With Ignition Key .......................275
 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) ...............................276 
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ............276
244 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
Towing Condi-tion Wheels OFF
The Ground Manual Trans-
mission 6-Speed Auto-
matic (FWD Only) 6-Speed Auto-
matic 4WD CVT Automatic
Transmission
Flat Tow NONE
•Transmission
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 AL-
LOWED NOT
ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Front FWD Models ONLY OK
NOT
ALLOWED FWD Models
ONLY
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
274 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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 automatic
only) may also be towed (under the same limitations
shown above) with the rear wheels elevated.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with a CVT
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. If these vehicles require towing, make
sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty..
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer to “Gear Selector
Override” in this section for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
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).
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 275

CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any disabled vehicle if condition is
related to the clutch, transmission or driveline. Ad-
ditional damage to the drivetrain could result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine, transmission, or
drivetrain damage. Damage from improper towing is
not covered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
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 transmis-
sion remains in NEUTRAL.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling-type equipment when towing. Ve-
hicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age 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 necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.
Please refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air
Bags” in “Occupant Restraints” for further information on
the Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.
Please refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) —
Air Bags” in “Occupant Restraints” for further information
on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).
276 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV joints. X X X X X X X
Inspect front suspension, boot seals. tie rod ends,
and replace if necessary. XXX X X X X
Inspect brake linings, replace if necessary. Check
park brake function, adjust if necessary. XXX X X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine air cleaner filter. XX X X X
Replace air conditioning/cabin air filter. X X X X X X X
Replace spark plugs ** XX X X X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first. XX
Replace rear drive assembly (RDA) fluid. XX
Replace power transfer unit (PTU) fluid. XX
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if using
your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet,
or frequent trailer towing. (CVT only) XX
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 281