2008 Jeep Compass Owner Manual - Page 241

STARTING AND OPERATING 241 WARNING! • Driving through standing water limits your vehicle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through standing water. • Driving through standing water limits your vehicle's braking capabilities, which increases stopping distances. Therefore, after driving through standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes. • Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can cause it to lockup and stall out and leave you stranded. • Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you. PARKING BRAKE When the parking brake is applied with the ignition on, the Brake Light in the instrument cluster will come on. NOTE: This light only shows that the parking brake is on. It does not show the degree of brake application. If the parking brake is applied while the vehicle is moving, a chime will sound to alert the driver. The chime will sound up to 10 times or until the vehicle has returned to a stop. Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking brake is set. To set the parking brake, pull up firmly on the lever. Also place the gear selector in the Park position (automatic transaxle) or Reverse (manual transaxle). To release the parking brake, apply the brake pedal, pull up slightly on the lever, then depress the button on the end of the lever and push the lever fully down toward the floor. 5