2023 JEEP COMPASS towing capacity

154STARTING AND OPERATING
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a
commercial scale to ensure that the GVWR has not
been exceeded. The weight on the front and rear of
the vehicle should then be determined separately
to be sure that the load is properly distributed over
the front and rear axle. Weighing the vehicle may
show that the GAWR of either the front or rear axles
has been exceeded but the total load is within the
specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted from
front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the
heavier items down low and be sure that the
weight is distributed equally. Stow all loose items
securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse
effect on the way your vehicle steers and handles
and the way the brakes operate.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and
information on limits to the type of towing you can
reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a
trailer, carefully review this information to tow your
load as efficiently and safely as possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
coverage, follow the requirements and
recommendations in this manual concerning
vehicles used for trailer towing.
COMMON TOWING DEFINITIONS
The following trailer towing related definitions will
assist you in understanding the following
information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your
vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo
and tongue weight. The total load must be limited
so that you do not exceed the GVWR Ú page 153.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight
of all cargo, consumables and equipment
(permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the
trailer in its "loaded and ready for operation"
condition. The recommended way to measure GTW is to put
your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The
entire weight of the trailer must be supported by
the scale.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front
and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front
and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do not
exceed either front or rear GAWR Ú
page 153.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The TW is the downward force exerted on the hitch
ball by the trailer. You must consider this as part of
the load on your vehicle.
Trailer Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied
by the maximum width of the front of a trailer.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If
you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles. This could
cause you to lose control. Overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the
maximum front or rear GAWR. A dangerous
driving condition can result if either rating is
exceeded. You could lose control of the vehicle
and have a collision.

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STARTING AND OPERATING157
Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire.
Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) when
towing while using a full size spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire
damage before towing a trailer.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying
capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR limits.
For further information Úpage 298.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system
or vacuum system of your vehicle with that of
the trailer. This could cause inadequate braking
and possible personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer with
electronically actuated brakes. When towing a
trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated
brake system, an electronic brake controller is
not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lb (453 kg) and required for trailers
in excess of 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on
a grade. When parking, apply the parking
brake on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle
transmission in PARK. For four-wheel drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL. Always, block or "chock" the trailer
wheels.
GCWR must not be exceeded.
Total weight must be distributed between the
tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded :
GVWR
GTW
GAWR
Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized.
WARNING!
4

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158STARTING AND OPERATING
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 vehicle’s 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.
NOTE:
Disconnect trailer wiring connector from the
vehicle before launching a boat (or any other
device plugged into vehicle’s electrical connect)
into water.
Be sure to reconnect once clear from water
area.
Four-Pin Connector

WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your
brake system and cause it to fail. You might
not have brakes when you need them and
could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for
additional space between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front of you. Failure to do so could
result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lb (453 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do
this could lead to accelerated brake lining wear,
higher brake pedal effort, and longer stopping
distances.
1 — Ground
2 — Park
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Right Stop/Turn

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304SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Steps For Determining Correct Load
Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5x150) = 650 lbs.) (5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and
there will be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 295 kg (635-340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as
shown in step 4.
NOTE:
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing
capacities of your vehicle with varying seating
configurations and number and size of occu
-
pants. This table is for illustration purposes only
and may not be accurate for the seating and
load carry capacity of your vehicle.
For the following example, the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
865 lbs (392 kg).

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330 Brake System
...................................... 282, 319Anti-Lock (ABS).......................................... 319Fluid Check..................................... 282, 324Master Cylinder......................................... 282Parking...................................................... 103Warning Light.............................................. 90Brake/Transmission Interlock....................... 107Brightness, Interior Lights......................... 46, 47Bulb Replacement......................................... 291Bulbs, Light.................................................... 242
C
Camera, Rear...................................... 148, 150Capacities, Fuel............................................. 323Caps, Filler Fuel........................................................... 152Oil (Engine)................................................ 271Radiator (Coolant Pressure)...................... 281Car Washes................................................... 316Carbon Monoxide Warning............................ 243Cargo Area Cover............................................. 70Cargo Load Floor............................................. 70Cargo Tie-Downs....................................... 70, 71Cellular Phone............................................... 186Certification Label......................................... 153Chains, Tire.................................................... 311Change Oil Indicator........................................ 80Changing A Flat Tire....................................... 247Chart, Tire Sizing............................................ 299
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............................ 99Checking Your Vehicle For Safety................. 240Checks, Safety.............................................. 240Child Restraint.............................................. 228Child RestraintsBooster Seats........................................... 231Child Seat Installation.............................. 239How To Stow An unused ALR Seat Belt.... 236Infant And Child Restraints....................... 230Lower Anchors And TethersFor Children......................................... 233Older Children And Child Restraints......... 230Seating Positions...................................... 232Child Safety Locks........................................... 25Clean Air Gasoline......................................... 320CleaningWheels..................................................... 315Windshield Wiper Blades.......................... 275Climate Control................................................ 50Automatic.................................................... 50Manual........................................................ 53Coin Holder...................................................... 58Cold Weather Operation............................... 101Compact Spare Tire...................................... 310ConnectorUniversal Consumer Interface (UCI)............. 58Console............................................................ 58Floor............................................................ 58
Contract, Service........................................... 326Cooling Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)............ 281Cooling System............................................. 279Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...................... 280Coolant Level................................... 280, 281Cooling Capacity....................................... 323Disposal Of Used Coolant......................... 281Drain, Flush, And Refill............................. 280Inspection................................................. 281Points To Remember................................ 281Pressure Cap............................................ 281Radiator Cap............................................. 281Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze)..... 280, 323Corrosion Protection..................................... 315Cruise Control (Speed Control)...................... 116Cruise Light............................................... 97, 98Customer Assistance.................................... 325Cybersecurity................................................ 164
D
Daytime Running Lights............................43, 44Defroster, Windshield................................... 241Dimmer SwitchHeadlight..............................................43, 44DipsticksOil (Engine)............................................... 272Disabled Vehicle Towing............................... 264DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant)...................... 281

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331
Door Ajar
................................................... 90, 91Door Ajar Light.......................................... 90, 91Driver’s Seat Back Tilt..................................... 28Driving........................................................... 161
E
Easy Entry Seats.............................................. 33Electric Brake Control System....................... 188Anti-Lock Brake System............................. 187Traction Control System.................. 191, 194Electric Parking Brake................................... 103Electrical Power Outlets................................... 59Electronic Stability Control (ESC)...................189Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light........ 91Emergency Braking........................................ 200Emergency Gas Can Refueling...................... 260Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher............................ 244Jacking...................................................... 247Jump Starting............................................ 258Tow Hooks................................................. 266Towing....................................................... 264Emission Control System Maintenance........... 99Engine........................................................... 271Air Cleaner................................................. 274Block Heater............................................. 102Break-In Recommendations...................... 102Checking Oil Level..................................... 272Coolant (Antifreeze)................................... 323
Cooling..................................................... 279Exhaust Gas Caution................................ 243Fails To Start............................................ 101Flooded, Starting...................................... 101Jump Starting........................................... 258Oil.................................................... 273, 323Oil Filler Cap............................................. 271Oil Filter.................................................... 274Oil Selection.................................... 273, 323Oil Synthetic............................................. 273Overheating.............................................. 261Starting..................................................... 100Enhanced Accident Response
Feature................................................ 224, 266Ethanol......................................................... 321Exhaust Gas Cautions................................... 243Exhaust System................................... 243, 278Exterior Lighting........................................ 43, 44Exterior Lights.........................................43, 242
F
FiltersAir Cleaner
................................................ 274Air Conditioning..................................57, 275Engine Oil........................................ 274, 323Engine Oil Disposal................................... 274FlashersHazard Warning........................................ 244Turn Signals.........................43, 46, 97, 242
Flash-To-Pass............................................ 43, 45Flat Tire Changing................................ 298, 310Flat Tire Stowage................................. 298, 310Flooded Engine Starting................................ 101Floor Console...................................................58Fluid Capacities............................................ 323Fluid Leaks.................................................... 242Fluid Level ChecksBrake........................................................ 282Engine Oil................................................. 272Fluid, Brake................................................... 324Fog Lights.................................................43, 46Fold-Flat Seats.................................................28Folding Rear Seats...........................................30Forward Collision Warning............................ 198Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................................. 262Fuel............................................................... 320Additives................................................... 322Clean Air................................................... 320Ethanol..................................................... 321Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................................. 152Gasoline................................................... 320Light.............................................................93Materials Added....................................... 322Methanol.................................................. 321Octane Rating.................................. 320, 323Specifications........................................... 323Tank Capacity........................................... 323Fuses............................................................ 284
11

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336 Snow Chains (Tire Chains)
............................. 311Snow Tires..................................................... 310Spare Tires.......................................... 310, 311Specifications Fuel (Gasoline).......................................... 323Oil.............................................................. 323Starting................................................... 19, 100Automatic Transmission............................ 100Button......................................................... 17Cold Weather............................................ 101Engine Fails To Start................................. 101Remote....................................................... 19Starting And Operating.................................. 100Starting Procedures....................................... 100SteeringColumn Controls.......................................... 43Tilt Column.................................................. 26Wheel, Heated...................................... 26, 27Wheel, Tilt................................................... 26Storage............................................................ 58Storage, Vehicle............................................... 56Stuck, Freeing............................................... 262Sun Roof................................................... 63, 65Sun Visor......................................................... 38Supplemental Restraint System – Air Bag..... 214Sway Control, Trailer...................................... 194Synthetic Engine Oil....................................... 273System, Remote Starting................................. 19
T
Telescoping Steering Column.......................... 26Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)............. 56Tie Down Hooks, Cargo............................. 70, 71Tilt Steering Column........................................ 26Time DelayHeadlight.............................................. 43, 45Tire And Loading Information Placard........... 303Tire Markings................................................ 298Tire Safety Information................................. 298Tire Service Kit.............................................. 252Tires...................................242, 306, 310, 314Aging (Life Of Tires).................................. 308Air Pressure.............................................. 306Chains...................................................... 311Changing.................................................. 247Compact Spare......................................... 310General Information........................ 306, 310High Speed............................................... 307Inflation Pressure..................................... 306Jacking..................................................... 247Life Of Tires.............................................. 308Load Capacity........................................... 303Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)...............................94, 201Quality Grading......................................... 314Radial....................................................... 307Replacement............................................ 309Rotation.................................................... 313Safety.............................................. 298, 306
Sizes......................................................... 299Snow Tires................................................ 310Spare Tires...................................... 310, 311Spinning................................................... 308Trailer Towing........................................... 157Tread Wear Indicators.............................. 308Wheel Nut Torque..................................... 319To Open Hood..................................................66Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight...................... 156Tow HooksEmergency................................................ 266Towing........................................................... 154Disabled Vehicle....................................... 264Guide........................................................ 155Recreational............................................. 160Weight...................................................... 155Towing Behind A Motorhome........................ 160Traction Control................................... 191, 194Traffic Sign Assist System............................. 127Trailer Sway Control (TSC)............................. 194Trailer Towing................................................ 154Minimum Requirements........................... 156Tips........................................................... 159Trailer And Tongue Weight........................ 156Wiring....................................................... 158Trailer Towing Guide..................................... 155Trailer Weight................................................ 155TransaxleAutomatic................................................. 106Operation.................................................. 106

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