Freeing A Stuck Vehicle - Jeep Compass 2015 Operating Information Manual

If frequent jump-starting is required to start your
vehicle you should have the battery and charg-
ing system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle's bat-
tery, even when not in use (i.e., cellular
phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough without engine operation, the vehi-
cle's battery will discharge sufficiently to de-
grade battery life and/or prevent the engine
from starting.

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or
snow, it can often be moved using a rocking
motion. Turn the steering wheel right and left to
clear the area around the front wheels. Then
shift back and forth between DRIVE and RE-
VERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd
gear and REVERSE (with manual transmis-
sion), while gently pressing the accelerator. Use
the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure
that will maintain the rocking motion, without
spinning the wheels, or racing the engine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the
transmission in NEUTRAL for at least one
minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of clutch or transmission
failure during prolonged efforts to free a
stuck vehicle.
NOTE:
Press the ESC Off switch, to place the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in
Partial Off mode, before rocking the ve-
hicle. Refer to "Electronic Brake Control" in
"Starting And Operating" for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed,
press the ESC Off switch again to restore
ESC On mode.
CAUTION!
• When "rocking" a stuck vehicle by shifting
between DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE,
do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph
(24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may re-
sult.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels
too fast may lead to transmission over-
heating and failure. It can also damage the
tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure,
of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's
wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without
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