checking oil JEEP COMPASS 2012 1.G Owners Manual

WARNING! (Continued)
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set
the blower at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
86 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after afully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil
when the reading is at the low end of the indicated range
will result in the oil level at the full end of the indicator
range.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
8
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 451

Electronic Roll Mitigation............... 318
Traction Control System ................ 316
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 157
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 322
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 211
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 382
Jump Starting ....................... 392
Towing ............................ 399
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 406
Engine ............................ 403,404
Block Heater ........................ 296
Break-In Recommendations .............. 84
Checking Oil Level ................... 409
Cooling ........................... 421
Exhaust Gas Caution ................85,360
Fuel Requirements .................... 357
Jump Starting ....................... 392
Oil ......................... 409,445,446Oil Change Interval
................... 410
Oil Filler Cap .................. 403,404,411
Oil Filter ........................... 446
Oil Selection ........................ 410
Oil Synthetic ........................ 411
Overheating ........................ 380
Temperature Gauge ................... 201
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 71
Ethanol ............................... 358
Event Data Recorder ...................... 74
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 39,85,360
Exhaust System ....................... 85,419
Exterior Lights .......................... 88
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 412
Air Conditioning .................. 287,415
Engine Oil ....................... 412,446
480 INDEX

Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 348
Mopar Parts ......................... 407,470
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 358
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 148
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 84
Occupant Restraints ................... 39,67,71
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...........64,65,67,70
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 357
Odometer ............................. 205
Trip ........................... 203,205
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 214
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 214
Oil, Engine ......................... 409,445
Capacity ........................... 445
Change Interval ..................... 410
Checking .......................... 409
Disposal ........................... 411 Filter
............................. 412
Identification Logo ................... 410
Materials Added to ................... 411
Recommendation .................. 410,445
Synthetic .......................... 411
Viscosity ........................... 411
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............405,406
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 160
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 5
Overheating, Engine ................... 202,380
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........5,471
Paint Care ............................. 432
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 310
Passing Light ........................... 150
Personal Settings ........................ 217
Pets .................................. 84
Phone, Cellular .......................... 98
486 INDEX