Jeep Compass Operating Information Manual page 153

Sand
Soft sand is very difficult to travel through with
full tire pressure. When crossing soft sandy
spots in a trail maintain your vehicle's momen-
tum and do not stop. The key to driving in soft
sand is using the appropriate tire pressure,
accelerating slowly, avoiding abrupt maneuvers
and maintaining the vehicle's momentum. If you
are going to be driving on large soft sandy areas
or dunes, reduce your tire pressure to a mini-
mum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a greater
tire surface area. You should use low (L Off-
Road [if equipped] ) with the 4WD LOCK en-
gaged and ESC turned off. Reduced tire pres-
sure will drastically improve your traction and
handling, while driving on the soft sand, but you
must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on pavement or other hard sur-
faces. Be sure you have a way to reinflate the
tires prior to reducing the pressure.
CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressures may cause tire un-
seating and total loss of air pressure. To
reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a
reduced tire pressure, reduce your speed
and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Hill Climbing
Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good
understanding of your abilities and your vehi-
cle's limitations. Hills can cause serious prob-
150
lems. Some are just too steep to climb and
should not be attempted. You should always feel
confident with the vehicle and your abilities. You
should always climb hills straight up and down.
Never attempt to climb a hill on an angle.
Before Climbing A Steep Hill
As you approach a hill consider its grade or
steepness. Determine if it is too steep. Look to
see what the traction is on the hill side trail. Is
the trail straight up and down? What is on top
and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks,
branches or other obstacles on the path? Can
you safely recover the vehicle if something goes
wrong? If everything looks good and you feel
confident, then you should use low (L Off-Road
[if equipped]) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and
proceed with caution maintaining your momen-
tum as you climb the hill.
Driving Up Hill
Once you have determined your ability to pro-
ceed and have shifted into the appropriate gear,
line your vehicle up for the straightest possible
run. Accelerate with an easy constant throttle
and apply more power as you start up the hill.
Do not race forward into a steep grade; the
abrupt change of grade could cause you to lose
control. If the front end begins to bounce, ease
off the throttle slightly to bring all four tires back
on the ground. As you approach the crest of the
hill, ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over
the top. If the wheels start to slip as you ap-
proach the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator
and maintain headway by turning the steering
wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and
forth. This will provide a fresh "bite" into the
surface and will usually provide enough traction
to complete the climb. If you do not make it to
the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and back
straight down the grade using engine resistance
along with the vehicle brakes.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or
turn around on a steep grade. Driving across
an incline increases the risk of a rollover,
which may result in severe injury.
Driving Down Hill
Before driving down a steep hill you need to
determine if it is too steep for a safe descent.
What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are
there obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there
plenty of distance at the base of the hill to regain
control if the vehicle descends to fast? If you feel
confident in your ability to proceed then make
sure you are in low (L Off-Road [if equipped] )
with the 4WD LOCK engaged and proceed with
caution. Allow engine and hill descent braking to
control the descent and apply your brakes if
necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.