2015 Jeep Compass Owner Manual - Page 351

STARTING AND OPERATING 349 bottom of the axle differentials, you should inspect all of be intruding on any wildlife, and you can recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe crossing is the water the vehicle fluids for signs of water ingestion. depth, current and bottom conditions. On soft bottoms, the vehicle will sink in, effectively increasing the water CAUTION! level on the vehicle. Be sure to consider this when deterWater ingestion into the transaxle, transfer case, mining the depth and the ability to safely cross. engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other permanent damage to engine, driveline or other Standing Water vehicle components and your brakes will be less Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water areas effective once wet and/or muddy. normally contain murky or muddy waters. These water types normally contain hidden obstacles and make it Before You Cross Any Type Of Water difficult to determine an accurate water depth, approach As you approach any type of water, you need to determine angle, and bottom condition. Murky or muddy water holes if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get are where you want to hook up tow straps prior to out and walk through the water or probe it with a stick. entering. This makes for a faster, cleaner and easier vehicle You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle, current recovery. If you are able to determine you can safely cross, and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or muddy than proceed using the low and slow method. waters; check for hidden obstacles. Make sure you will not 5