warning JEEP COMPASS 2007 1.G Workshop Manual

WARNING!
•Cargo tie-down Loops are not safe anchors for a
child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion a loop could pull loose and allow the child
seat to come loose. A child could be badly injured.
Use only the anchors provided for child seat
tethers.
•The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and
vehicle handling. To avoid loss of control result-
ing in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
WARNING!
To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

10. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS) — If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) described elsewhere in this manual. This
light will come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to theon position, but do not start the vehicle. The light should
come on. If the light does not come on, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
11. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will come on for about six seconds. A chime
will sound if you have not pulled the shoulder belt
out of the retractor. This is a reminder to “buckle up”. If
you do not buckle up, the light will remain on.
12. Tachometer
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
13. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a warning chime
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the engine
will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
14. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, in-
cluding brake fluid level and parking brake appli-
cation. If the brake light turns on, it may indicate that the
parking brake is applied, there is a low brake fluid level
or there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS), are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
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4

In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light
will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair
to the ABS system is required.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.15. Transmission Over Temp Light
During sustained high speed driving on hot
days, the automatic transaxle oil may become
too hot. If this happens, the transmission over-
heat indicator light will come on and the
vehicle will slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to the requested
speed. If the high speed is maintained, the overheating
will reoccur as before in a cyclic fashion.
16. Theft Alarm Light — If Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for several seconds when the
alarm system is arming. The light will begin to flash
slowly indicating that the system is armed.
17. Temperature Gauge
If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
170 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
23. Four-Wheel-Drive
This light indicates the vehicle is in 4WD.
24. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster will display,replacing the odometer/trip odometer, vehicle warning
messages such as: door/gate ajar and loose gas cap.
Loose gas cap will be displayed from the Odometer/Trip
Odometer on all models.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the instru-
ment cluster, all warnings including “door”, and “gATE”
will only be displayed in the EVIC display. For additional
information, refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter — If Equipped” in Section 3.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
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28. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
The malfunction lamp for the ESP is combined
with BAS. The yellow “ESP/BAS Warning
Lamp” comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position. They should go
out with the engine running. If the “ESP/BAS Warning
Lamp” comes on continuously with the engine running,
a malfunction has been detected in either the ESP or the
BAS system. If this light remains on after several ignition
cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
29. 4WD Malfunction Light
This light monitors the Four -Wheel-Drive
(4WD) system. The light will come on, for a
bulb check, when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and may stay on for as long as
3 seconds.When lit solid:There is an 4WD system fault. 4WD
performance will be at a reduced level. Service the 4WD
system soon.
When blinking:The 4WD system is temporarily dis-
abled due to overload condition.
30. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display—If
Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages.
31. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Button—If Equipped
Pushing this button, will change the display to the
choices available for EVIC.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 175
4

ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) – If EquippedThe Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located in the lower
left part of the cluster below the fuel and engine tem-
perature gauge. The EVIC consists of the following:
•System Status
•Vehicle information warning message displays
•Personal Settings (customer programmable features)
•Compass heading
•Outside temperature display
•Trip computer functions
•UConnect™ hands-free communication system dis-
plays — If Equipped
•Audio mode display
•Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
EVIC Location
176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages.
•Turn Signal On (with a continuous warning chime)
•Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single chime)
•Left Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single chime)
•Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
•Right Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
•RKE Battery Low (with a single chime)
•Personal Settings Not Available – Vehicle Not in Park
(automatic transmissions) or vehicle is in motion
(manual transmissions).
•Left/Right Front Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
•Left/Right Rear Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
•Door (S) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
•Gate Ajar (with a single chime)
•Low Washer Fluid (with a single chime)
•Headlamps On
•Key In Ignition
•Check TPM System
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
4

Snow Tires...........................276

Tire Rotation Recommendations............276

Fuel Requirements......................277
▫Gasoline Engines.....................277
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................278
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............278
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................279
▫Materials Added To Fuel................279
▫Fuel System Cautions..................279
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............280

Adding Fuel..........................281
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............281
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............283
Vehicle Loading........................284
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......284

TrailerTowing .........................284
▫Common Towing Definitions.............284
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............287
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........288
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............289
▫Towing Requirements..................290
▫TowingTips .........................294

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 296
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................296
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
5

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING