2022 Jeep Compass Owners Manual - Towing a Disabled Vehicle

Towing a Disabled Vehicle

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial towing service.

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing devices to main structural members of the vehicle, not to fascia/bumper or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles under tow must be observed.

Note:

• You must ensure that the Auto Park Brake feature is disabled before towing this vehicle to avoid inadvertent Electric Park Brake engagement. The Auto Park Brake feature is enabled or disabled via the customer programmable features in the Uconnect Settings.

• Vehicles with a discharged battery, or total electrical failure when the Electric Park Brake (EPB) is engaged, will need a wheel dolly or jack to raise the rear wheels off the ground when moving the vehicle onto a flatbed.

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode.

Note that the Safehold feature will engage the Electric Park Brake whenever the driver's door is opened (if the battery is connected, ignition is ON, transmission is not in PARK, and brake pedal is released). If you are towing this vehicle with the ignition in the ON/RUN mode, you must manually disable the Electric Park Brake each time the driver's door is opened by pressing the brake pedal and then releasing the EPB.

If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out of PARK so that the vehicle can be moved "⇨GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE".

CAUTION:

• Do not use sling-type equipment when towing. Vehicle damage may occur.

• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension components. Damage to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

• Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.

• Do not use a fascia/bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The fascia/bumper face bar will be damaged.

WITHOUT THE KEY FOB

Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed with the ignition in the OFF mode. The only approved method of towing without the key fob is with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the vehicle.

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) MODELS — WITH KEY FOB

FCA US LLC recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If flatbed equipment is not available, this vehicle must be towed with the front wheels OFF the ground (using a towing dolly, or wheel lift equipment with the front wheels raised).

Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed. The Electric Park Brake does not need to be released if all four wheels are OFF the ground.

CAUTION:

Towing this vehicle in violation of the above requirements can cause severe engine and/or transmission damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

4X4 MODELS

FCA US LLC requires towing with all four wheels OFF the ground.

Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with one end of the vehicle raised and the opposite end on a towing dolly.

CAUTION:

• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.

• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above requirements can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

• Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment manufacturer's instructions.

• Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing devices to main structural members of the vehicle, not to fascia/bumper or associated brackets.

EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED

If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, there will be one in the rear and two mounted on the front of the vehicle. The rear hook will be located on the driver's side of the vehicle.

Note:

For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle.

>Front Tow Hooks Location

>Rear Tow Hook Location

Vehicles With Keyless Enter ‘n Go™

Place the ignition in the ON/RUN position, and subsequently in OFF, without opening the door. During towing, remember that not having the aid of the power brakes and the electromechanical power steering will require greater force when applying the brakes and steering of the vehicle.

WARNING:

• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.

• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious injury.

CAUTION:

Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could damage your vehicle.