2018 JEEP COMPASS automatic transmission

For automatic transmissions, the EPB will
automatically engage if all of the following
conditions are met:
• Vehicle speed is below 1.9 mph (3 km/h).
• There is no attempt to depress the brake
pedal or accelerator pedal.
• The seat belt is unbuckled.
• The driver door is open.
• The vehicle is not in the PARK position.
For manual transmissions, the EPB will auto-
matically engage if all of the following condi-
tions are met:
• Vehicle speed is below 1.9 mph (3 km/h).
• There is no attempt to depress the brake
pedal or accelerator pedal.
• The clutch pedal is not pressed.
• The seat belt is unbuckled.
• The driver door is open.
SafeHold can be temporarily bypassed by
pushing the EPB Switch while the driver door
is open and the brake pedal is pressed. Once
manually bypassed, SafeHold will be enabledagain once the vehicle reaches 12 mph
(20 km/h) or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position and back to ON/RUN again.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended without having the
park brake fully applied. The park brake
should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle, especially on an
incline.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, or attempt to hold the ve-
hicle on a hill with the clutch pedal par-
tially engaged, as this will cause abnormal
wear on the clutch.NOTE:
During cold weather, you may experience
increased effort in shifting until the transmis-
sion fluid warms up. This is normal.
To shift the gears, fully press the clutch pedal
and place the gear selector into the desired
gear position (the diagram for the engage-
ment of the gears is displayed on the handle
of the selector).Gear Selector
147

Parking
When parking and leaving the vehicle, pro-
ceed as follows:
• Engage a gear (first gear if facing uphill or
reverse if facing downhill) and leave the
wheels turned.
• Stop the engine and engage the park brake.
• Always remove the key fob.
• Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if
the vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
NOTE:
NEVER leave the car with the gearbox in
neutral (or, if equipped with automatic trans-
mission, before placing the gear lever in
PARK).
WARNING!
Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle. Always remove the key fob when
exiting the vehicle and take it with you.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a sub-
stitute for the park brake. Always apply
the park brake fully when exiting the
vehicle to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before exiting the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is
WARNING!
idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
• The vehicle may not engage a newly
selected gear if the vehicle is moving
while shifting.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle
could injure those in or near the vehicle.
As with all vehicles, you should never
exit a vehicle while the engine is run-
ning. Before exiting a vehicle always
come to a complete stop, then apply the
park brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove
the key fob. When the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF (key removal) position (or,
with push button start, when the ignition
is in the OFF mode), the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING
150

Six-Speed Or Nine-Speed Automatic
Transmission
NOTE:
Your vehicle may be equipped with a six-
speed or nine-speed automatic transmission,
depending on model. This section describes
operation of both the six-speed and nine-
speed transmission.
The transmission gear range (PRND) is dis-
played both beside the gear selector and in
the instrument cluster. To select a gear range,
push the lock button on the gear selector and
move the selector rearward or forward. You
must also press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK (or NEUTRAL,
when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low
speeds). Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving.
NOTE:
In the event of a mismatch between the gear
selector position and the actual transmission
gear (for example, driver selects REVERSE
while driving forward), the position indicator
will blink continuously until the selector is
returned to the proper position, or the re-
quested shift can be completed.The electronically-controlled transmission
adapts its shift schedule based on driver
inputs, along with environmental and road
conditions. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts
on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt.
This is a normal condition, and precision
shifts will develop within a few hundred miles
(kilometers).
The nine-speed transmission has been devel-
oped to meet the needs of current and future
FWD/AWD vehicles. Software and calibration
is refined to optimize the customer’s driving
experience and fuel economy. By design,
some vehicle and driveline combinations uti-
lize 9th gear only in very specific driving
situations and conditions.
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE
when the accelerator pedal is released and
the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your
foot on the brake pedal when shifting be-
tween these gears.
The transmission gear selector provides
PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and
AutoStick (+/-) shift positions. Manual shifts
can be made using the AutoStick shift con-trol. Moving the gear selector into the
AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the DRIVE
position) activates AutoStick mode, provid-
ing manual shift control and displaying the
current gear in the instrument cluster (as 1,
2, 3, etc.). Toggling the gear selector forward
(-) or rearward (+) while in the AutoStick
position will manually select the transmis-
sion gear. Refer to "AutoStick" in this section
for further information.
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the
PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position
(when pushed forward) it is probably in the
AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the DRIVE
position). In AutoStick mode, the transmis-
sion gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the
instrument cluster. Move the gear selector to
the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for
access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
STARTING AND OPERATING
152

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn
off the ignition to coast down a hill. These
are unsafe practices that limit your re-
sponse to changing traffic or road condi-
tions. You might lose control of the vehicle
and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for
any other reason with the transmission in
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission
damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Start-
ing And Operating” and “Towing A Dis-
abled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest
upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-shifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE
position provides optimum driving character-
istics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick
shift control to select a lower gear (refer to
"AutoStick" in this section for further infor-
mation). Under these conditions, using a
lower gear will improve performance and ex-
tend transmission life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds nor-
mal operating limits, the transmission con-
troller may modify the transmission shift
schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch
engagement. This is done to prevent trans-
mission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot,
the "Transmission Temperature Warning
Light" may illuminate, and the transmission
may operate differently until the transmis-
sion cools down.During cold temperatures, transmission op-
eration may be modified depending on en-
gine and/or transmission temperature as well
as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm
up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of
the torque converter clutch (and, for the
nine-speed, shifts into 8th or 9th gear), are
inhibited until the engine and/or transmis-
sion is warm (refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
Normal operation will resume once the tem-
perature(s) have risen to a suitable level.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving
you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick
allows you to maximize engine braking, elimi-
nate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more
control during passing, city driving, cold slip-
pery conditions, mountain driving, trailer
towing, and many other situations.
155

Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick
position (beside the DRIVE position), it can
be moved forward and rearward. This allows
the driver to manually select the transmission
gear being used. Moving the gear selector
forward (-) triggers a downshift and rearward
(+) an upshift. The current gear is displayed
in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will
shift up or down when the driver moves the
gear selector rearward (+) or forward (-), un-
less an engine lugging or overspeed condition
would result. It will remain in the selected
gear until another upshift or downshift is
chosen, except as described below.
• Six-speed transmissions will automatically
upshift when necessary to prevent engine
over-speed.
• The transmission will automatically down-
shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine
lugging) and will display the current gear.• The transmission will automatically down-
shift to first gear when coming to a stop.
After a stop, the driver should manually
upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle
is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in first or
second gear (or third gear, in six-speed
models, or in 4LO range, Snow mode, or
Sand mode, where available). Tapping (+)
(at a stop) will allow starting in second gear.
Starting out in second gear can be helpful
in snowy or icy conditions.
• If a requested downshift would cause the
engine to over-speed, that shift will not
occur.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift
at too low of a vehicle speed.
• Transmission shifting will be more notice-
able when AutoStick is enabled.
• The system may revert to automatic shift
mode if a fault or overheat condition is
detected.
NOTE:
When Selec-Speed or Hill Descent Control is
enabled, AutoStick is not active.To disengage AutoStick, return the gear se-
lector to the DRIVE position. You can shift in
or out of the AutoStick position at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels could lose their grip and the ve-
hicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electroni-
cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition
is detected that could result in transmission
damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is
activated. In this mode, the transmission
may operate only in a fixed gear, or may
remain in NEUTRAL. The Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp
Home Mode may allow the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service
without damaging the transmission.
STARTING AND OPERATING
156

In the event of a momentary problem, the
transmission can be reset to regain all for-
ward gears by performing the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if pos-
sible. If not, shift the transmission to
NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the ignition to the OFF position. On
vehicles with push button start, push and
hold the ignition until the engine turns
OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the
problem is no longer detected, the trans-
mission will return to normal operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we
recommend that you visit your authorized
dealer at your earliest possible convenience.
Your authorized dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to assess the condition of your trans-
mission. If the transmission cannot be reset,
authorized dealer service is required.Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy
has been included in the automatic transmis-
sion on your vehicle. A clutch within the
torque converter engages automatically at
calibrated speeds. This may result in a
slightly different feeling or response during
normal operation in the upper gears. When
the vehicle speed drops or during some ac-
celerations, the clutch automatically disen-
gages.
NOTE:
The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the engine and/or transmission is warm
(usually after 1 to 3 miles [2 to 5 km] of
driving). Because the engine speed is higher
when the torque converter clutch is not en-
gaged, it may seem as if the transmission is
not shifting properly when the vehicle is cold.
This is normal. The torque converter clutch
will function normally once the powertrain is
sufficiently warm.FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
Jeep Active Drive
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Power
Transfer Unit (PTU). This system is automatic
with no driver inputs or additional driving
skills required. Under normal driving condi-
tions, the front wheels provide most of the
traction. If the front wheels begin to lose
traction, power is shifted automatically to the
rear wheels. The greater the front wheel trac-
tion loss, the greater the power transfer to the
rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy
throttle input (where one may have no wheel
spin), torque will be sent to the rear in a
preemptive effort to improve vehicle launch
and performance characteristics.
157

The 4WD LOW mode helps to improve the
off-road performance in all modes. To enable
4WD LOW, please follow the steps below:
Enabling 4WD LOW
With the vehicle stationary, the ignition in the
ON/RUN or with the engine running, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL and push the
button once 4WD LOW. The instrument clus-
ter will display the message "4WD LOW" once
the shift is complete.
NOTE:
• Both LOCK and LOW LEDs will blink and
then become active on the Selec-Terrain
switch until the shift is complete.
• The instrument cluster display will illumi-
nate the "4WD LOW" icon.
Disabling 4WD LOW
To disable the 4WD LOW mode, the vehicle
must be stationary and the transmission
shifted into NEUTRAL. Push the 4WD LOW
button once.SELEC-TERRAIN — IF
EQUIPPED
Selec-Terrain combines the capabilities of
the vehicle control systems, along with driver
input, to provide the best performance for all
terrains.
Mode Selection Guide
Rotate the Selec-Terrain knob to select the
desired mode.
•AUTO: This four-wheel drive operation is a
continuous operation, is fully automatic
and can be used on and off road. This mode
balances traction to ensure maneuverabil-
ity and acceleration improvement com-
pared to a vehicle with two wheel drive. This
mode also reduces fuel consumption, since
it allows the disconnect of the drive shaft
where conditions permit.
Selec-Terrain Switch
Selec-Terrain Switch (Trailhawk)
159

•SNOW: This mode allows you to have greater
stability under conditions of bad weather.
For use on and off road on surfaces with
poor traction, such as roads covered with
snow. When in SNOW mode (depending on
certain operating conditions), the transmis-
sion may use second gear (rather than first
gear) during launches, to minimize wheel
slippage.
•SAND: For off-road driving or use on sur-
faces with poor traction, such as dry sand.
The transmission is set to provide maxi-
mum traction.
•MUD: For off-road driving or use on surfaces
with poor traction, such as roads covered by
mud or wet grass.
•ROCK(Trailhawk only): This mode is only
available in 4WD LOW range. The device
sets the vehicle to maximize traction and
allow the highest steering capacity for off-
road surfaces. This mode gives you the
maximum performance off-road. Use for
low speed obstacles such as large rocks,
deep ruts, etc.NOTE:
• Rock mode is only available on the vehicles
equipped with the Off-Road package.
• Activate the Hill Descent Control for steep
downhill control. See “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Safety” for further
information.
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to re-
duce fuel consumption. The system will stop
the engine automatically during a vehicle
stop if the required conditions are met. Re-
leasing the brake pedal, clutch pedal or
pressing the accelerator pedal will automati-
cally re-start the engine.
WARNING!
Before opening the hood, make sure that
the engine is off and that the ignition is in
the OFF mode. Follow the indications on
the plate underneath the hood. We recom-
WARNING!
mend that you remove the key fob if other
people remain in the vehicle. The vehicle
should only be exited after the key fob has
been removed and the ignition is on the
OFF mode. During refueling, make sure
that the engine is off (ignition device in the
OFF mode).
CAUTION!
When replacing the battery, always con-
tact your authorized dealer. Replace the
battery with the same type (HEAVY DUTY)
and with the same specifications.
Operating Modes
Engine stopping mode
Models equipped with a manual transmis-
sion:
With the vehicle stopped, the engine stops
with transmission in neutral and clutch pedal
released.
STARTING AND OPERATING
160