tow JEEP COMPASS 2015 1.G Workshop Manual

WARNING!(Continued)
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
•Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting And Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
•Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting And Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
•When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting And Operating” for the proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
•Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
•An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
•Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have a collision.
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 421

Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins4 — Park2 — Male Pin5 — Left Stop/Turn3—Ground6—RightStop/Turn
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in first gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting or changes in engine speed occur
while in this range, use the AutoStick® shift control (if
equipped) to select a lower gear ratio.
NOTE:Using a lower gear ratio while operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
Seven-Pin Connector
1—Battery5—Ground2—BackupLamps6—LeftStop/Turn3—RightStop/Turn7—RunningLamps4 — Electric Brakes
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 423

excessive shifting and heat buildup. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the transmis-
sion fluid and filter as specified for#police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing#. Refer to the#Maintenance
Schedule#for the proper maintenance intervals.
AutoStick® — If Equipped
When using the AutoStick® shift control, select the
highest gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose#4#if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose#3#or#2#if
needed to maintain the desired speed.
To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as necessary
to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
•Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
•When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
•Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
424 STARTING AND OPERATING

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission
Flat TowNone•Transmission in NEUTRAL
•Key in ACC Position
NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front OK (FWD Only) OK (FWD Only)
Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On TrailerAllOKOK
NOTE:Vehicles equipped withmanual transmissions
may be recreationally towed (flat towed) at any legal
highway speed, for any distance, if themanual transmis-
sionis in NEUTRAL and the ignition key is in the ACC
position.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. If these vehicles require towing, make
sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a dolly is used when recreational towing.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 425

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
!HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS...........429
!IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS............429
!WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS......................430
▫Torque Specifications..................430
!JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING..........432
▫Jack Location........................433
▫Spare Tire Stowage....................433
▫Preparations For Jacking................433
▫Jacking Instructions...................434
▫Road Tire Installation...................440
!TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED.........442
▫Tire Service Kit Storage.................442
▫Tire Service Kit Components And Operation . . .443
▫Tire Service Kit Usage Precautions..........444
▫Sealing A Tire With Tire Service Kit.........446
!JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES...........452
▫Preparations For Jump-Start..............453
▫Jump-Starting Procedure................454
6

!FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE.............457
!SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE................458
!TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE...........460
▫With Ignition Key.....................461
428 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed under the load floor
in the cargo area.
Spare Tire Stowage
The compact spare tire is stowed under the rear load floor
in the cargo area.
Spare Tire Removal
Lift up the load floor cover and remove the hold down.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
Spare Tire And Jack Stowage
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 433

WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to
a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for
lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.
Jack Warning Label
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 435