wheel JEEP COMPASS 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

RADIO GENERAL INFORMATION
Radio Broadcast Signals
Your new radio will provide excellent reception under
most operating conditions. Like any system, however, car
radios have performance limitations, due to mobile op-
eration and natural phenomena, which might lead you to
believe your sound system is malfunctioning. To help
you understand and save you concern about these ªap-
parentº malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4

Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
²The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
²Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception in the
form of short audio mutes.
²Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
²Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.
212 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NAutoStick General Information............237
mFour Wheel Drive Operation Ð If Equipped....238
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............238
NAcceleration.........................238
NTraction............................239
mDriving Through Water..................239
NFlowing/Rising Water..................240
NShallow Standing Water.................240
mParking Brake.........................241
mBrake System..........................243
NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð
If Equipped.........................244
mPower Steering........................246mTire Safety Information...................247
NTire Markings........................247
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........251
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........252
mTires Ð General Information...............256
NTire Pressure.........................256
NTire Inflation Pressures.................257
NRadial-Ply Tires......................259
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........260
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........260
NTire Spinning........................261
NTread Wear Indicators..................262
NLife Of Tire.........................262
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................285
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............286
NTowing Requirements..................287
NTowing Tips.........................292mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 293
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................293
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transaxle
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the gear
selector in N (Neutral).NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
NOTE:If key won't turn and steering wheel is locked,
rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on
the locking mechanism and then turn the key.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the P (Park) or N (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 P (Park).
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the ªSTART'º position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
²When shifting into P (Park), firmly move the lever all
the way forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the shifter bezel
to ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result. You must also depress the brake pedal.
R (Reverse)
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this range.
D (Drive)
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum driveability, fuel economy, and
performance.
L (Low)
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, the trans-
axle will ratio up only to prevent transaxle damage or
engine over speed while ratioing down will occur as
early as possible
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
5

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION Ð IF
EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, Four Wheel
Drive (4WD).
Where one or more wheels have wheel spin or if addi-
tional traction is needed in sand, deep snow, or loosetraction surfaces, activate the 4WD LOCK switch by
pulling up once and releasing. This locks the center
coupling allowing more torque to be sent to the rear
wheels. The amber94WD Indicator Lightº will come on
in the cluster. This can be done on the fly, at any vehicle
speed. To deactivate, simply pull on the switch one more
time. The94WD Indicator Lightº will then go out.
NOTE:Refer to ºESP (Electronic Stability Program) in
the ªElectronic Brake Control Systemº section of this
manual for additional information.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
Four Wheel Drive Switch
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches deep will
require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent dam-
age to your vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
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NOTE:The parking brake lever will not release unless
the lever is pulled up slightly past its applied position.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the automatic transaxle locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. Asan added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a
uphill grade.
You should always apply the parking brake before leav-
ing the vehicle.
WARNING!
²Never 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 win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.Parking Brake Lever
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð If Equipped
The Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle
stability and brake performance under most braking
conditions. The system automatically ªpumpsº the
brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly
on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or
stop.
WARNING!
²Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond
that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
²The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.
244 STARTING AND OPERATING