ABS JEEP COMPASS 2010 1.G Owners Manual

WARNING! (Continued)
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
•Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating
positions
•Advanced Front Airbags for driver and front passen-
ger
•Supplemental Rear Impact Active Head Restraints
(AHR) located on top of the front seats (integrated into
the head restraint)
•Supplemental Side Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC)
for the driver and passengers seated next to a window
•Supplemental Side Seat Airbags — if equipped
•An energy-absorbing steering column and steering
wheel
•Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
•Front seat belts incorporate pretensioners to enhance
occupant protection by managing occupant energy
during an impact event — if equipped
•All seat belt systems (except the driver’s) include
Automatic Locking Retractors (ALRs), which lock the
seat belt webbing into position by extending the belt
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37

continuous chime will sound to alert you to turn the
signals off. If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check
for a defective outside light bulb.
9. High Beam IndicatorThis indicator shows that the high beam head-
lights are on. Push the multifunction lever forward
to switch the headlights to high beam, and pull toward
yourself (normal position) to return to low beam.
10. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while 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 if 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 benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
11. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb
check or when driving, if the driver’s seat belt remains
unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will illuminate
and the chime will sound. Refer to “Occupant Restraints”
in “Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185

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 LightThis light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H,this indicator will illuminate and a
single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to
pass H,the indicator will continuously flash and a
continuous chime will occur until the engine is allowed
to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for further information.
14. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the condition
has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake
and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in 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 red brake light on is
dangerous. 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 the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). 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.
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.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187

AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 285
▫ Operation ......................... 286
▫ General Information .................. 286
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 287
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 288
▫ Acceleration ........................ 288
▫ Traction ........................... 288
 Driving Through Water ................. 289
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 289
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 289
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 291
 Power Steering ....................... 291
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 293
Parking Brake ........................ 293
 Brake System ........................ 296
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 297
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 299
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 299
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 299
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 300
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 301
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual Transaxle
Only ............................. 302
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 303
 Tire Safety Information ................. 308
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 308
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

engine from overspeed. Changes down will only happen
at minimum engine speed to prevent stalling.
Operation
NOTE:AutoStick is not functional until the CVT
warms up in cold weather.
AutoStick operation is activated in the DRIVE position
by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Moving the shift
lever to the (+) side will activate AutoStick and shift up
to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are already
operating in or near Overdrive, in which case sixth gear
ratio will be selected. In like manner, moving the shift
lever to (-) will activate AutoStick and shift to the next
lower manual ratio. After AutoStick is activated, the
manual ratio selected is displayed in the transmission
ratio display and tipping the shift lever to the (+) or (-)
direction will cause an upshift or downshift by one ratio. AutoStick
is deactivated:
•By holding the shift lever to (+) momentarily
•When the shift lever is shifted out of DRIVE
•When in sixth position, touching the shift lever to the
right
•When heavy Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) applica-
tion is detected
General Information
•
If a ratio other than first is selected and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the first gear ratio.
•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS provides increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically “pumps” 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.
•The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The 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.
•The 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.
The “ABS Warning Light” monitors the ABS
System. The light will come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position
and may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the “ABS Warning Light” remains on or comes on
while driving, it indicates that the anti-lock portion of the
brake system is not functioning and that service is
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 297

required. However, the conventional brake system will
continue to operate normally if the “Brake Warning
Light” is not on.
If the “ABS Warning Light” is on, the brake system
should be serviced as soon as possible to restore the
benefits of anti-lock brakes. If the “ABS Warning Light”
does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, have the bulb repaired as soon as
possible.
If both the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS Warning
Light” remain on, the ABS and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) systems are not functioning. Immedi-
ate repair to the ABS is required.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self-check cycle to ensure that the ABSworking properly. This self-check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).
ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You may also experience the following when the brake
system goes into anti-lock mode:
•the ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop)
•the clicking sound of solenoid valves
•brake pedal pulsations
•a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end
of the stop
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) contains sophis-
ticated electronic equipment that may be susceptible
to interference caused by improperly installed or
high output radio transmitting equipment. This in-
terference can cause possible loss of Anti-Lock brak-
ing capability. Installation of such equipment should
be performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad-
vanced electronic brake control system that includes
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Roll Mitiga-
tion (ERM), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Electronic Sta-
bility Control (ESC). All systems work together to en-
hance vehicle stability and control in various driving
conditions and are commonly referred to as ESC.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake pres-
sure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power
is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability.
A feature of the TCS system functions similar to a limited
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 299

slip differential and controls the wheel spin across a
driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning
faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of
the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to
be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This feature
remains active even if TCS and ESC are in either the
“Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes. Refer to “Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)” in this section of this manual.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must applycontinuousbrak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence (do not “pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.
WARNING!
•The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions.
•The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplan-
ing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING