Is The Jeep Compass 4-Wheel Drive?

You must be aware of how efficient the jeep compass is. Regardless of where you are taking it, it will give you the best experience of both on-road and off-road driving. The comfort and space it offers are unmatchable to any other vehicle available nowadays. But is the Jeep compass 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?

This is quite complicated and we can not say yes nor can we say no. The description of this confusing question is mentioned below, you can go through it and understand the concept more perfectly and wisely. We have tried our best to explain, still if you have any questions or queries we are here to help you.

Does Jeep Compass Have 4-Wheel-Drive Or All Wheel Drive?

The default settings of the Jeep Compass tell us that it comes with front-wheel drive on 3 trim levels. These three levels are from the 4 trim levels available. The latitude, sports, and the limited. Only Compass Trailhawk offers 4 wheel drive. All-wheel-drive option isn’t available for any of the Jeep Compass models yet.

Here in the description below we’re gonna focus on what is 4 wheel drive. How to turn it on? And which jeep compass has this as its default settings?

What Is 4-Wheel Drive?

The four-wheel system in the 4×4 Jeep Compass is designed in such a way that allows the distribution of the power on all four wheels of the jeep. Each wheel applies some pressure on the jeep making the jeep more stable and reliable. This is the reason why the jeep compass is said to be the best and highly recommended jeep for rainy weather conditions, specifically wet and slippery surfaces.

This application of pressure from all wheels towards the vehicle is responsible for providing outstanding stability, explicitly when in wet terrains. If one of the wheels loses its traction and control, the other three wheels, coordinately provide even more grip, when you are riding on some slippery or wet ground surfaces.

Although it looks quite confusing, it is very simple. Moreover, since it is part of the electronic locking differential feature it provides prevention against slipping. Although the 4×4 system is engaged with the vehicle on its own, it still allows you to manually engage and lock the system. Check out the best year for Jeep Compass.

How Do You Turn On 4 Wheel Drive In A Jeep Compass?

Although the four-wheel drive in a jeep compass is usually engaged automatically, yes you can also engage it manually. What you have to do is to look for the Selec-Terrain Switch in your vehicle and press the forward lock/unlock button. It is not the same for every Jeep Compass.

Instead, different models of the Jeep Compass possess different buttons as some of the Jeep Compass come with forwarding low buttons that enjoy the vehicle in the four-wheel drive and are used specifically when you have to drive the jeep in slippery and wet road conditions.

Moreover, you have to keep in mind to ensure that your jeep is in a stationary position when you are driving when you want to change the forward wheel drive manually. Also, ensure that the transmission is in a neutral position. This is important to focus on because it prevents damage to the engine and the transmission of the jeep. You must also look at the common Jeep Compass problems.

Location Of The Jeep Compass Forward Switch

Look at the left-hand side of the steering wheel and you will see a forward switch button. It is pressed to engage and disengage the forward wheel drive manually. Moreover, if you do not want to engage the wheel in a forward wheel drive, and only want to deliver the whole power to the front wheels, you can simply press the switch.

The third reason when you can press this button is the situation when your jeep is already in four-wheel drive and you want to lock it. As we have learned about the basics of Jeep Compass 4-wheel drive we will now focus on the major difference between 4wd and all-wheel drive options.

Difference Between 4-Wheel Drive And An All-Wheel-Drive Jeep

The all-wheel drive jeep comes with a dual differential for power in between the front and rear wheels. It means that the power is distributed between each wheel independently when the vehicle is engaged with 4-wheel drive. This results in increased traction and control over slippery, wet, and inclined surfaces.

On the other hand, the 4-wheel drive system is not a system that involves all the wheels independently. This means all 4 wheels aren’t involved in transmitting power. It has dual differentials providing power to either the front or rear axles.

Moreover, there are some vehicles that come with a center differential. This center differential is responsible for providing extra torque that ultimately improves traction and control.

What Is Jeep Selec-Terrain?

The Jeep Selec-Terrain is basically the traction and control system present in the jeeps that have 4-wheel drive systems. This is made in a way that makes the jeep ideal for rough and tough conditions including all kinds of off-road conditions, multiple weather scenarios, and slippery and wet surfaces. This makes the jeep extremely reliable for complicated and challenging surface conditions.

Moreover, the control panel for Jeep Selec-Terrain Traction Management System is located just near the gear stick. It has buttons for both 4-wheel drive lock and 4-wheel drive low functions. This Jeep Selec-Terrain comes with four variable modes. The Auto mode, the Snow mode, the Sports mode, and the Sand or Mud mode. Each mode of the car adjusts the vehicle according to the demand of the mode.

For example, if you are operating the jeep in snow mode, it will set the jeep in a way that offers better traction in slippery conditions. This sets the jeep in a way that reduces the skidding and slipping, ensuring the safest drive on the snow.

Similarly, when the mode is set to be on the sand or mud mode, the speed and traction of the jeep are adjusted in a way to minimize sticking in mud and sand. Moreover, the system is programmed to automatically detect the change in the surface and set the mode according to that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Jeep Compass go off-road?

Yes, they can go off-road and can manage the power energy needed for traveling on rough and tough surfaces. There is this Selec-Terrain Traction Management System that is present in the Jeep on a four-wheel drive setup. This is responsible for providing extra traction, grip, control, and enhanced maneuverability specifically for all kinds of weather conditions.

Which jeep compass is 4×4?

The Jeep compass trailhawk comes equipped with the four-wheel drive setup as standard or default setup. The reason for this inbuilt four-wheel drive system is that this model is higher and the latest model comes equipped with easy exterior features and 4 wheel drive setup. Moreover, it is somewhat better and more premium than regular Jeep Compass models.

How can I turn on my jeep’s four-wheel drive?

In case your jeep Wrangler is in auto transmission, you have to set it to neutral. On the other hand, if it is manual, what you have to do is to press the clutch. Now is the time to shift the lever. Shift it to the 4L position. Make sure you are making this shift without stopping at N. After making all of these settings, now you can put the auto transmission of the jeep back in drive and can release the clutch for manual actions.

Final Thoughts

The details answering whether the Jeep Compass is a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are mentioned above. You can go through the above-mentioned article with thorough attention and concentration to learn about the concepts of 4WD and All wheel drive set-ups.

This article has not only answered this question but has also covered what actually is the wheel drive, how can you turn it on, what is the Jeep Selec-Terrain Traction Management System and what is the main difference between the 4 wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive jeep. At the end of the article, you would definitely end up having all the information related to the jeep compass 4-wheel drive.