Sluggish....can anybody relate???

[laneaj]

2012 Jeep Compass Sport 5-Speed 4x4, Mineral Gray, Eclipse Tires on MKW M102 Rims

So, aside from the quiet ride, agility, attractive styling and pleasantly simple dash & controls, I have a few niggling concerns:

1) Driving on an uphill slope today, the speed limit was 55. I had to stay in 4th gear/3K RPM if I wanted to maintain that speed. 5th gear felt incredibly bogged down. My husband says it will have to be "broken in" before I feel more horsepower?

2) On level freeway in 5th gear, if I must pass somebody, I obviously cannot shift higher, thus the pedal is "squishy" and it takes forever to get from 60-70+ mph. There is about ~170hp in the Compass but it could've fooled me!

I owned a 112hp '98 Ford Escort 5-spd that responded much better than my Compass. Does anybody have advice for me or knows what I gripe about?

[laneaj]

To add, I am a very capable motorist and not some dumb housewife. You can find me driving tractors to pick up round bales and driving big GMC flatbeds for my husband during hay season, or eating small cars for lunch when I drive my husband's kick-ass '07 Dodge Ram 3500 Long Bed....gotta love it. Anyway, I am just curious after spending $24,000 that my Compass is lacking in necessary horsepower....

[laneaj]

About point #2, I am well aware of downshifting to 4th gear in order to pass somebody in a hurry, but I was trying to illustrate the lack of speed in 5th gear.

[Cherokee]

Well first, welcome to the forum, glad to have you join us and congrats on your Compass! That does sound odd to me and although I've had standard transmission vehicles before, I didn't have the opportunity to drive a manual Compass but you're not the first one to complain about the lack of power, and I don't think the transmission is what's making the difference, but hopefully another of our manual owners can chime on this. Lots of great people and info here, so any help you need, just ask and I hope you enjoy the site!

- Cherokee

[laneaj]

Thanks, Cherokee! I do love my Compass, don't get me wrong. It is a wonderful run-around vehicle with many positives.

Another question: The reverse lights are not bright at all and I want more illumination when I back up at night....how can I modify this?

[liggettj]

I have a manual and have had no problems with the power so far. I do notice the 2.4 engine does`nt really come alive to around 4K RPMS. I would recommend an Air intake when they come available and exhaust. Someone on here claimed you can get close to 200 HP just doing these 2 things. Also on the backup lights check out flippers write up in the modifications section on how to change your lights. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[laneaj]

Thanks, liggettj! I have a 2.0, I believe, but you are correct in saying that 4K rpms makes the engine come right to life. My husband is going to look into the modifications to increase horsepower, yay!

[liggettj]

Yeah I have the 2.4 and it is the same way as far as coming to life at 4K RPMS. I am very happy with mine so far. I went with 2.25 inch custom exhaust. There is`nt an intake out for the 2011 yet. I added some pulse star plugs they helped a little bit for $50 I can`t complain. I plan to switch to all royal purple synthetics soon and hopefully that will help. I would probably just do intake, exhaust, and switch to synthetics. If they ever come out with a decent chip like from superchips that would be the best bet for sure.

[tripplec]

The 2.0 is too small for this type of vehicle. Even in earlier years where the body is a bit smaller many with the 2.4L owners find it barely sufficient with the CVT which manages the gears automatically. Running it at high RPM's any length of time will definity kill you gas millage.

Being new and all I would suggest you have the dealer check it out for lack of power. If unsatisfactory response then insist on test driving another vehicle with the same power train for comparison.

With the total management of the engine by the computer there is little that can be done to increase power. Certainly nothing significant can be squeezed out and the air intack modes may affect your warranty as well as increase noise levels and I doubt you'd want a noisey vehicle.

[laneaj]

I do have a 2.4L engine, I found out.

[jeepney_driver]

Originally Posted by laneaj

Thanks, Cherokee! I do love my Compass, don't get me wrong. It is a wonderful run-around vehicle with many positives.

Another question: The reverse lights are not bright at all and I want more illumination when I back up at night....how can I modify this?

I feel the same way about my backup lights. I'm thinking of adding an auxiliary light to improve lighting and visibility. I did this to my old dodge. It helped a lot.