Jeep Compass Operating Information Manual page 133

NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The
engine may be started in this range. Apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission into
PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off
the ignition to coast down a hill. These are
unsafe practices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions. You might
lose control of the vehicle and have a colli-
sion.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for
any other reason with the transmission in
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission
damage. Refer to "Recreational Towing" in
"Starting And Operating" and "Towing A Dis-
abled Vehicle" in "In Case Of Emergency" for
further information.
130
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest up-
shifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-
shifts through underdrive first, second, third, and
fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive sixth
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum
driving characteristics under all normal operat-
ing conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing
heavy trailers), use the AutoStick shift control
(refer to "AutoStick (Six-Speed Automatic Trans-
mission)" in this section for further information)
to select a lower gear. Under these conditions,
using a lower gear will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal
operating limits, the transmission controller will
modify the transmission shift schedule and ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch en-
gagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating. If the transmission
becomes extremely hot, the "Transmission Tem-
perature Warning Light" may illuminate and the
transmission may operate differently until the
transmission cools down.
During very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified
depending on engine and transmission tem-
perature as well as vehicle speed. Normal op-
eration will resume once the transmission tem-
perature has risen to a suitable level.
AutoStick (Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission) — If Equipped
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving
you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows
you to maximize engine braking, eliminate un-
desirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve
overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during pass-
ing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, moun-
tain driving, trailer towing, and many other situ-
ations.
Operation
When the gear selector is in the DRIVE position,
the transmission will operate automatically, shift-
ing between the six available gears. To engage
AutoStick, simply tap the gear selector to the
right or left (+/-) while in the DRIVE position.
Tapping (-) to enter AutoStick mode will down-
shift the transmission to the next lower gear,
while using (+) to enter AutoStick mode will
retain the current gear. When AutoStick is ac-
tive, the current transmission gear is displayed
in the instrument cluster.