Jeep Compass 2018 Owner's Manual page 155

The nine-speed transmission has been devel-
oped to meet the needs of current and future
FWD/AWD vehicles. Software and calibration is
refined to optimize the customer's driving expe-
rience and fuel economy. By design, some
vehicle and driveline combinations utilize 9th
gear only in very specific driving situations and
conditions.
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE
when the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on
the brake pedal when shifting between these
gears.
The transmission gear selector provides PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick
(+/-) shift positions. Manual shifts can be made
using the AutoStick shift control. Moving the
gear selector into the AutoStick (+/-) position
(beside the DRIVE position) activates AutoStick
mode, providing manual shift control and dis-
playing the current gear in the instrument cluster
(as 1, 2, 3, etc.). Toggling the gear selector
forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the AutoStick
position will manually select the transmission
gear. Refer to "AutoStick" in this section for
further information.
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the
PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when
pushed forward) it is probably in the AutoStick
(+/-) position (beside the DRIVE position). In
AutoStick mode, the transmission gear (1, 2, 3,
152
etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster. Move
the gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and
NEUTRAL.
Gear Selector
Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when
shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another
gear range.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accel-
erating. This is especially important when the
engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be
started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK
while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift
the transmission into PARK first, and then apply
the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
before shifting the transmission to PARK, other-
wise the load on the transmission locking
mechanism may make it difficult to move the
gear selector out of PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition OFF.
4. Remove the key fob from the vehicle.
NOTE:
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a substi-
tute for the park brake. Always apply the
park brake fully when exiting the vehicle to
guard against vehicle movement and pos-
sible injury or damage.
(Continued)