towing capacity JEEP COMPASS 2015 1.G Owners Manual

approximately eight turns, then move the crossbar to the
desired position, keeping the crossbars perpendicular to
the luggage rack side rails. Once the crossbar is in one of
the seven detent positions, retighten the thumb screws to
lock the crossbar into position.
NOTE:
•To help control wind noise when the crossbars are not
in use, place the front crossbar in the first detent from
the front of the vehicle and the rear crossbar in the
second detent from the rear of the vehicle.
•If the rear crossbar (or any metallic object) is placed
over the satellite radio antenna (if equipped), you may
experience interruption of satellite radio reception. For
improved satellite radio reception, place the rear cross-
bar in the second detent from the rear of the vehicle
when not in use.
•The grab handles on the back of the vehicle (if
equipped) are not to be used as a towing feature.
CAUTION!
•To prevent damage to the roof of your vehicle, DO
NOT carry any loads on the luggage rack without
crossbars installed. The load should be secured and
placed on top of the crossbars, not directly on the
roof. If it is necessary to place the load on the roof,
place a blanket or some other protection between
the load and the roof surface.
•To avoid damage to the luggage rack and vehicle,
do not exceed the maximum luggage rack load
capacity of 150 lb (68 kg). Always distribute heavy
loads as evenly as possible and secure the load
appropriately.
•Long loads which extend over the windshield, such
as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with large
frontal area should be secured to both the front and
rear of the vehicle.
(Continued)
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 207

3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 377

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
“XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will
be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 lbs (68 kg) = 750 lbs
(340 kg), and 1400 lbs (635 kg) – 750 lbs (340 kg) =
650 lbs [295 kg]).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4.
NOTE:
•If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The follow-
ing table shows examples on how to calculate total
load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your
vehicle with varying seating configurations and num-
ber and size of occupants. This table is for illustration
purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating
and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
•For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

Jacking...............................432
Life of Tires...........................389
Load Capacity.........................375
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)............393
Pressure Warning Light...................221
Quality Grading........................535
Radial...............................383
Replacement...........................390
Rotation..............................392
Safety...............................369
Sizes................................371
Snow Tires............................385
Spare Tire.............................433
Spinning.............................388
Trailer Towing.........................420
Tread Wear Indicators....................388
Tire Safety Information.....................369
Tire Service Kit...........................442
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight................417
Towing................................412
24-Hour Towing Assistance................125
Disabled Vehicle........................460
Guide...............................416
Recreational...........................425
Weight...............................416
Towing Assistance.........................125
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome...........425
Trailer Towing...........................412
Cooling System Tips.....................424
Hitches..............................415
Minimum Requirements..................418
Ti p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..423
Trailer and Tongue Weight.................417
Wiring...............................422
Trailer Towing Guide.......................416
Trailer Weight............................416
Transaxle
Automatic.............................12
554 INDEX