2018 JEEP COMPASS Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING!
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition
(in a vehicle equipped with push button
start) in the ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not ob-
served:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
CAUTION!
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal
while shifting out of PARK.
Ignition Park Interlock
Vehicles with push button start:
This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park
Interlock which requires the transmission to
be in PARK before the ignition can be turned
to the OFF mode. This helps the driver avoid
inadvertently leaving the vehicle without
placing the transmission in PARK. This sys-
tem also locks the transmission in PARK
whenever the ignition is in the OFF mode.Vehicles with mechanical key:
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition
Park Interlock which requires the transmis-
sion to be in PARK before the ignition can be
turned to the OFF (key removal) position. The
key can only be removed from the ignition
when the ignition is in the OFF position, and
the transmission is locked in PARK whenever
the ignition is in the OFF position.
If the vehicle's battery becomes discharged,
the key will be trapped in the ignition even
when the gear selector is in PARK. Recharge
the battery to allow key removal.Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Trans-
mission Shift Interlock system (BTSI) that
holds the transmission gear selector in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must
be in the ON/RUN mode (whether the engine
is running or not), and the brake pedal must
be pressed. The brake pedal must also be
pressed to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or
REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or
moving at low speeds.
151

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

Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when
shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another
gear range.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment
to allow the selected gear to engage before
accelerating. This is especially important
when the engine is cold.PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be
started in this range. Never attempt to use
PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in
this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may
shift the transmission into PARK first, and
then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking
brake before shifting the transmission to
PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission
locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the gear selector out of PARK. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels to-
ward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition OFF.
4. Remove the key fob from the vehicle.NOTE:
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if
the vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
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
idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
Gear Selector
153

WARNING!
• 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.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
WARNING!
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition
(in a vehicle equipped with push button
start) in the ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the transmission gear se-
lector out of PARK, you must turn the
ignition to the ON/RUN mode, and also
press the brake pedal. Otherwise, dam-
age to the gear selector could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another
gear range, as this can damage the
drivetrain.The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have properly engaged the
transmission into the PARK position:
• When shifting into PARK, push the lock
button on the gear selector, and firmly
move the selector all the way forward until
it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the transmission gear position dis-
play and verify that it indicates the PARK
position (P).
• With brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle back-
ward. Shift into REVERSE only after the ve-
hicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing
for prolonged periods with the engine run-
ning. The engine may be started in this range.
Apply the park brake and shift the transmis-
sion into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING
154

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

CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and
type tires. Unequal tire sizes must not be
used. Unequal tire size may cause failure
of the power transfer unit.
Four Wheel Drive (4x4)
The four wheel drive (4WD) is fully automatic
in normal driving mode.
NOTE:
It is not possible to carry out the change of
mode when the vehicle exceeds the speed of
75 mph (120 km/h).
Enabling Four Wheel Drive (4x4)
The buttons for the activation of four wheel
drive are located on the device Selec-Terrain
and allow you to select the following:
• 4WD LOCK
• 4WD LOW — (Trailhawk models only)Active Drive Control — If Equipped
The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) is locked to
ensure immediate availability of torque to the
rear drive axles. This feature is selectable in
AUTO mode and automatic in the other driv-
ing mode. 4WD LOCK can be enabled by the
following ways:• When the 4WD LOCK button is pushed.
• When the Selec-Terrain switch is rotated
from AUTO to any other off-road modes.
Active Drive With Low Control — (Trailhawk
models only)
Selec-Terrain Switch
Selec-Terrain Switch (Trailhawk)
STARTING AND OPERATING
158