Off-Road Driving Tips; When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4Wd Lock Lever Engaged; Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand - Jeep Compass 2015 Operating Information Manual

cornering at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform sat-
isfactorily in off-road conditions. If at all pos-
sible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover.

OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS

You will encounter many types of terrain driving
off-road. You should be familiar with the terrain
and area before proceeding. There are many
types of surface conditions: hard packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice.
Every surface has a different effect on your
vehicle's steering, handling and traction. Con-
trolling your vehicle is one of the keys to suc-
cessful off-road driving, so always keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel and maintain a good
driving posture. Avoid sudden accelerations,
turns or braking. In most cases there are no
road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights.
Therefore you will need to use your own good
judgment on what is safe and what is not. When
on a trail, you should always be looking ahead
for surface obstacles and changes in terrain.
The key is to plan your future driving route while
remembering what you are currently driving
over.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or
other combustible materials. The heat from
your vehicle exhaust system could cause a
fire.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie
down cargo. Unsecured cargo can become
projectiles in an off-road situation.
When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With
The 4WD Lock Lever Engaged
When driving off-road, shift into low (L Off-
Road) and activate the 4WD LOCK. This will
provide additional traction and activates the
numerous off-road features to improve handling
and control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to
the sustained lower gearing, low (L Off-Road)
with 4WD LOCK engaged will allow the engine
to operate in a higher power range. This will
allow you to cross over obstacles and descend
hills, with improved control and less effort.
NOTE:
For maximum off-road performance, pre-
mium fuel is recommended. While the ve-
hicle will operate on regular fuel when in L
Off-Road mode, the engine has been cali-
brated for maximum performance using pre-
mium fuel.

Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand

There is a drastic reduction in traction when
driving in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be
less responsive to steering, acceleration and
braking inputs. Therefore, you should acceler-
ate slowly, leave greater stopping distances and
avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to
keep a slow constant steady pace. The key is to
maintain the vehicle's momentum.
Snow
In heavy snow or for additional control and
traction at slower speeds, activate the 4WD
LOCK and shift the transaxle to low (L Off-
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