JEEP COMPASS 2011 1.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE/
1st gear and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 389

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE/1st gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the shift lever override access cover located
on the right side of the shifter housing.
390 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
without starting the engine (engine Off).
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, push and
hold the override release lever forward.6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
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).
•All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles must be towed on a
flatbed truck (all four wheels OFFthe ground).
Shift Lever Override Access Cover6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 391

CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Manual Transmission
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD)
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 AWD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck
(all wheelsOFFthe ground).
All Transmissions
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defroster, etc.)
while being towed (wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must
be in the ON position, not the ACC position. Make
certain the transmission remains in NEUTRAL.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see “Shift Lever
Override” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic transmission out of the
PARK position for towing.
392 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN or ACC
position, not in the LOCK position.
•Do not attempt to use sling-type equipment when
towing. 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 position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 393

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.0L ............. 397
 Engine Compartment — 2.4L ............. 398
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 399
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 399
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 400
 Replacement Parts ..................... 401
 Dealer Service ........................ 401 
Maintenance Procedures ................. 402
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 403
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 406
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 406
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 407
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 408
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 409
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 410
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 410
7

▫Exhaust System ..................... 411
▫ Cooling System ..................... 413
▫ Brake System ....................... 419
▫ Automatic Transmission
(CVT) – If Equipped .................. 422
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 423
▫ Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – AWD/4WD
Models Only ....................... 423
▫ Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD/4WD
Models Only ....................... 424
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 424
 Fuses .............................. 430
▫ Integrated Power Module .............. 430
Vehicle Storage ....................... 434
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 434
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 435
▫ Headlamps ........................ 435
▫ Fog Lamps ......................... 435
▫ Rear Turn Signal And Backup Lamp ....... 436
▫ License Lamps ...................... 436
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp ......... 436
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 437
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 438
▫ Engine ............................ 438
▫ Chassis ........................... 439
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Coolant Pressure Cap
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Coolant Pressure Cap
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE