Hill Climbing - Jeep Compass 2015 Operating Information Manual

Road) if necessary. Do not shift to a lower gear
than necessary to maintain headway. Over-
revving the engine can spin the wheels and
traction will be lost. If you start to slow to a stop,
try turning your steering wheel no more than a
1/4 turn quickly back and forth, while still apply-
ing throttle. This will allow the tires to get a fresh
"bite" and help maintain your momentum.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at
high engine RPM's or vehicle speeds be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding
and loss of control.
Mud
Deep mud creates a great deal of suction
around the tires and is very difficult to get
through. You should use low (L Off-Road) with
the 4WD LOCK engaged and maintain your
momentum. If you start to slow to a stop, try
turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4
turn quickly back and forth for additional trac-
tion. Mud holes pose an increased threat of
vehicle damage and getting stuck. They are
164
normally full of debris from previous vehicles
getting stuck. As a good practice before enter-
ing any mud hole, get out and determine how
deep it is, if there are any hidden obstacles and
if the vehicle can be safely recovered if stuck.
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) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and ESC
turned off. Reduced tire pressure will drastically
improve your traction and handling, while driv-
ing on the soft sand, but you must return the
tires to normal air pressure before driving on
pavement or other hard surfaces. 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
vehicle's limitations. Hills can cause serious
problems. 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