automatic transmission JEEP COMPASS 2008 1.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition and lock all
of the doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Power Door Locks
A door lock switch is located on the driver door panel.
Press this switch to lock or unlock the doors.
Automatic Door LocksÐIf Equipped
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Auto Lock feature is enabled.
2. The transmission is in gear.
Power Door Lock Switches
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
2

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 Temperature Warning 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. Security Alarm System Indicator Light Ð 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
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
18. Cruise Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This indicator shows that the Speed Control
System is ON.
19. Cruise SET Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This indicator shows that the Speed Control System is
SET.20. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
21. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. Trip A or Trip B
will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in and
hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip odometer
to 0 miles or kilometers. The odometer must be in trip
mode to reset.
22. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165
4

replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªChange Oilº message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style. Unless reset, this message
will continue to display each time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn off the message
temporarily, press and release the Trip Odometer button
on the instrument cluster. To reset the oil change indica-
tor system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
refer to the following procedure.1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
25. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors emissions, engine, and
automatic transmission control systems. The light
will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condi-
tion checked promptly.
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

²Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single chime)
²Left Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single chime)
²Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
²Right Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
²RKE Battery Low (with a single chime)
²Personal Settings Not Available ± Vehicle Not in Park
(automatic transmissions) or vehicle is in motion
(manual transmissions).
²Left/Right Front Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
²Left/Right Rear Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
²Door (S) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
²Gate Ajar (with a single chime)
²Headlamps On
²Key In Ignition
²Check TPM System
Engine Oil Change Indicator System
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªOil Change Requiredº message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable.
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles estimated
driving distance, the DTE display will change to a text
display of9LOW FUEL9. This display will continue until
the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding a significant amount
of fuel to the vehicle will turn off the9LOW FUEL9text
and a new DTE value will be displayed, based on the
current values in the DTE calculation and the current fuel
tank level.
Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
Refer to Section 5, ªTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) for system operation.
Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
This allows the driver to set and recall features when the
transmission is in PARK (automatic transmission) or the
vehicle is stopped (manual transmissions).
Press and release the EVIC button until Personal Settings
is displayed in the EVIC.
Use the EVIC button to display one of the following
choices:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 175
4

Language
When in this display you may select different languages
for all display nomenclature, including the trip functions.
Pressing the EVIC button while in this display selects
English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais depend-
ing on availability. As you continue the displayed infor-
mation will be shown in the selected language.
NOTE:UConnectŸ language will not change using the
EVIC. Please refer to ªLanguage Selectionº in the
HANDS±FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnectŸ) Ð IF
EQUIPPED section of this manual for details.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)
When ON is selected all doors lock automatically when
the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (24 km/h). Press
and hold the EVIC button when in this display until
ªONº or ªOFFº appears to make your selection.
Auto Unlock On Exit
When ON is selected all the vehicle's doors will unlock
when the driver's door is opened if the vehicle is stopped
(manual transmissions) or the vehicle is stopped and the
transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) position
(automatic transmissions). Press and hold the EVIC but-
ton when in this display until ªONº or ªOFFº appears to
make your selection.
Remote Unlock Driver's Door 1st
WhenDRIVER'S DOOR 1STis selected only the driv-
er's door will unlock on the first press of the remote
keyless entry unlock button and require a second press to
unlock the remaining locked doors. WhenREMOTE
UNLOCK ALL DOORSis selected all of the doors will
unlock at the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button. Press and hold the EVIC button when in
this display until ªDRIVER'S DOOR 1STº or ªALL
DOORSº appears to make your selection.
176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:The factory default Zone is 8. During program-
ming, the Zone value will wrap around from Zone 15 to
Zone 1.
Compass Calibration
The Compass will automatically calibrate if the Cal
indicator is flashing, by driving around slowly (under 5
mph / 8 km/h) in one or more complete circles in an area
free from large metallic objects or power lines, until the
Cal indicator turns off. If during normal use the compass
appears erratic, inaccurate or abnormal, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass make sure the proper zone is selected.
To Manually Calibrate the Compass:start the engine
and leave the transmission in the PARK position. Using a
short button press (less than one second), press and
release the EVIC button several times until the EVIC
displays the Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features) menu. Once in the Personal Settings (CustomerProgrammable Features) menu, press and release (less
than one second) the EVIC button several times until
ªCalibrate Compass (Yes)º is displayed. Using a long
button press (more than one second), pressing the EVIC
button will place the Compass in calibration mode. The
Cal indicator will come on continuously in the EVIC
display to indicate that the compass is now in the
calibration mode and that the vehicle can now be driven
to calibrate. (A short EVIC button press from the9Cali-
brate Compass (Yes)9screen will exit the EVIC Customer
Programmable features, and return it to its normal oper-
ating mode). To complete the compass calibration, drive
the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree circles
under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free from power lines,
large metallic objects, until the CAL indicator turns off.
The compass will now function normally.
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................227
NManual Transaxle.....................227
NAutomatic Transaxle...................227
NNormal Starting......................227
NExtremely Cold Weather
(Below220ÉF Or229ÉC)................228
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................228
NAfter Starting........................229
mManual Transaxle Ð If Equipped...........229NRecommended Shift Speeds..............231
NDownshifting........................231
mAutomatic Transaxle Ð If Equipped.........232
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......233
NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................233
NGear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)..............234
mAutoStick Ð If Equipped.................236
NAutoStick Operation...................236
5

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P
(Park) or N (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of P (Park) and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON or ACC positions. Always depress the
brake pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of
P (Park).NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transmission interlock system. There is a remov-
able plug in the right side of the shifter housing that
allows you to insert your finger to override the system.
The key must be in the ignition and in the on position to
use the override lever. If this occurs obtain service as
soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in P (Park). It also prevents shifting out
of P (Park) unless the key is in the ACC or ON positions,
and the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
5