Compass off-road or under very bad weather

10725 Views 20 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Bigcoug, Feb 21, 2022

RedVortex

Discussion Starter · Nov 17, 2006

Hello people,

I was wondering if anyone tried its Compass (4x4) off-road (please describe what kind of off-road) or under very bad weather like heavy snow or rain.

I want to know how good all the technologies included with it like ABS, ESP, 4x4 lock and all the others are doing in the real life.

Was your stop distance very good even when the ABS kicked in ?

How was the 4x4 lock mechanism doing when accelerating from a stop sign with slippery conditions like snow or heavy rain ? And with the lock ?

And a question coming from my girlfriend who always sleep when I drive: "How's the headrest ?"

If anybody have kids that are still using a special seat, please comment on how well they see outside (maybe compared to a minivan for instance) and how they like the ride and the truck ? (Got twins, 6 years old)

Finally, if anyone bought the complete sound system (Boston Acoustics with the subwoofer..) can they comment on the overall sound quality and sound power that it delivers.

Many questions that I need to answer before going forward with my purchase...

Thanks to all who will answer !

RedVortex

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

D-Train

· #2 · Nov 17, 2006

Since we got some heavy rain this afternoon, I can attest that the braking was very responsive, however, traffic conditions were very light during the period that I drove. I haven't used the 4x4 lock. If we actually get some snow this winter, I'll let you know how the handling is.

Seating in the front for the driver and passenger is very comfortable. I haven't had any rear passengers in the Jeep yet so I can't comment on that.

I got the BA 9 speaker system w/ the 6 Disc CD/MP3 player (Including SIRIUS for one year) and it's very impressive. Probably one of the best systems that I've heard that is not an aftermarket. The placement of the speakers is what make the sound stand out. I also like the leather wrapped steering wheel w/ the audio controls so you don't have to take your hands off the steering wheel.

RedVortex

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 17, 2006

Thanks for the reply. I look forward to your reviews regarding snow, that's my biggest concern.

I noticed your steel blue color in your signature, do you have any daylight picture of your truck. I'm having a hard time trying to find a dealer that has a compass with this color "live" on a truck, not just on paper so I can really see how it shows.

On paper it really looks like a gray-blueish very dark.

Thanks

RedVortex

P.S. Common guys (and gals maybe), get your Compass outdoor a little and give it a good ride and write a little review so I can really make a good decision on my upcoming purchase

D-Train

· #4 · Nov 17, 2006

I only have a camera phone. I'll try to get some shots this weekend and post them.

welshfyr

· #5 · Nov 17, 2006

RedVortex said:
Was your stop distance very good even when the ABS kicked in ?

How was the 4x4 lock mechanism doing when accelerating from a stop sign with slippery conditions like snow or heavy rain ? And with the lock ?

Very good. Typical ABS grindy noise, but it worked well for me on ice/snow covered road. I also felt very 'solid' when changing lanes (with the typical snow between lanes)

And a question coming from my girlfriend who always sleep when I drive: "How's the headrest ?"

They're not the greatest, but the actual seats are really comfortable, and the heated seats are really good!

Finally, if anyone bought the complete sound system (Boston Acoustics with the subwoofer..) can they comment on the overall sound quality and sound power that it delivers.

I am really happy with the sound system. I am still getting used to the steering wheel buttons (3 per side) but will get there eventually.

I am off this weekend, so the other half and I are going into the Rockies for an extended drive. Going to Banff Alberta to enjoy the hotsprings, maybe some skiing, and of course 'apres ski' drinks! Hope to stay the whole weekend actually now that I am thinking about it!

We will be taking the camera (to take Jeep pics with the rockies as a background) which reminds me...gotta get my baby washed beforehand!

RedVortex

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 24, 2006

Can anybody else posts their comments regarding this topic ?

RedVortex

BreatheJeeply

· #7 · Nov 24, 2006

RedVortex.....I had commented in a previous thread about icy/snowy roads. Here is the link in case you missed it:
http://www.myjeepcompass.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52

nevadaneil

· #8 · Dec 15, 2006

I went from Garyeagle to truckee Ca. on ice and found the Cpmpasswith stock tires to be great. Instarting and stoping The cvt trans acted a lot like useing 2nd gear in my truck, no tire spin at all. The only deep snow I drove in was in pullouts, even flooring it did not break traction. As far as traction control, ABS and ESP go I hope my driveing skill and common sense never test them. To me they are just peace of mind. In other cars and trucks I've had ABS on ice worked great. Isee no reason to think that Jeeps will be any different.

RedVortex

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 18, 2006

Great thanks for your reply, keep us informed.

I finally had my compass delivered to me last week. As soon as we have snow here, I'll give it a run for his money (actually my money, hehehe) and I'll post my results.

So far, I've been able to test the anti spin feature on a rainy day. I was starting from a stop sign while turning right and I actually floored the pedal on purpose. The left tire began to spin (I was barely able to discern the beginning of a tire spin) and as soon as that happened, the computer controlled it by slowing down the engine power thus effectively counter-acting my action of trying to spin the left wheel. Everything was done very smoothly and as soon as the tire gained traction, the engine revved up again just enough to not spin the tire again. My acceleration was smooth and very much under control.

Nothing compared to my old minivan where I would've been able (much of the time not on purpose, especially on rainy days) to spin the tire at every stop sign until I go easy on the gas pedal. I very much hated it when it happened on a rainy day, you try to start fast on a 4 stops signs because nobody knows who's turn it is and instead of going fast and clearing up this mess of messed up ppl (hehehe) you end up spinning your wheels...

The system functioned perfectly, smoothly and much more effectively than what I was expecting.

Good job Jeep. I really look forward to a little snow/ice here so I can test the 4wd mode and all the others goodies of the Compass

RedVortex

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kwc

· #10 · Feb 15, 2007

Compassing through the snow ...

My Compass performed superbly in our 3+ foot snowstorm today ... buzzed right around on our unplowed roads without a hitch. Up hills, down hills, around cars stuck in the road ... I am very pleased!!!

I almost made it up my unshoveled driveway but the snow was just too deep ... some shoveling around and under the car and I was able to get up the incline.

There was some ice buildup on the wipers and windshield but then I noticed that just about everyone else was having the same trouble.

Five stars for winter performance for my Compass!

D-Train

· #11 · Feb 15, 2007

We got snow/freezing rain/icy conditions the past couple of days and it was a mess driving to/from work. I only had to engage in 4WD mode once when parking in my driveway (the snow is ice packed due to the freezing temps unfortunately). Will have to wait until we get warmer temperatures so I can dig out the snow from my walkway and driveway.

RedVortex

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 16, 2007

Thanks for the replies.

We had some snow too and icy road conditions. I really like driving my Compass under those conditions. It performs pretty well.

One thing I recommend though. Don't engage 4x4 manually unless you really need it. There's so much driving force that is sent to the rear axel that if you don't go easy on the gas pedal, you are able to have the rear end start to tail spin (ESP brings it straight though, almost instantly).

Letting the AWD system do its job by itself is perfect for pretty much all driving conditions.

However, it is much much more fun driving in 4x4 engaged though, hehehe. It is even more fun disabling the ESP and do tail spins in 4x4 mode

or leaving everyone behind spinnig their tires in the snow at the stop sign or the red light

This truck is just so much fun to drive, I like it a lot.

RedVortex

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JoJoJeep

· #13 · Feb 19, 2007

My Compass Limited 4x2 did great in the snow and ice this past week. Last Wednesday we got about 10", mixed with freezing rain and sleet. My ESP kicked on when necessary and did the job. They didn't plow very well, anywhere around here so I had lots of opportunities to play. I had a Matrix before the Jeep and that did pretty good in the snow, but it had low clearance, not a problem in the Compass.
I believe it's not always about the how well a vehicle does in the snow, it's more about the driver (usually). I didn't get the 4x4 because with the traction control, ESP, antilock breaks, front wheel drive and good tires, I don't need it. I'm getting a lot of grief for buying a Jeep without four wheel drive, but I have no regrets. My husband has a Dodge Hemi 1500 with 4x4, if it gets that bad I can take that, but IMO after driving the Jeep in the snow and ice this past week, I won't need to.

wikingskull

· #14 · Feb 21, 2022

i just bought a 2014 compass, northern model, we had a huge snowstorm a couple of weeks ago, 2 feet of snow and and a blizzard, about 40mph wind, ran great! Feb 21 another snowstorm 60 mph winds, whiteout conditions, and a foot of snow, i lost track of the road of the road and drove into a front lawn of a house. couldnt get out. I would have if the clearance of the truck was higher, plus need a more aggressive tire. i did some checking found a 21/2 lift kit and looking at the cooper AT tires. any comment on the modification would be appreciated

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Bigcoug

· #15 · Feb 21, 2022

JoJoJeep said:
My Compass Limited 4x2 did great in the snow and ice this past week. Last Wednesday we got about 10", mixed with freezing rain and sleet. My ESP kicked on when necessary and did the job. They didn't plow very well, anywhere around here so I had lots of opportunities to play. I had a Matrix before the Jeep and that did pretty good in the snow, but it had low clearance, not a problem in the Compass.
I believe it's not always about the how well a vehicle does in the snow, it's more about the driver (usually). I didn't get the 4x4 because with the traction control, ESP, antilock breaks, front wheel drive and good tires, I don't need it. I'm getting a lot of grief for buying a Jeep without four wheel drive, but I have no regrets. My husband has a Dodge Hemi 1500 with 4x4, if it gets that bad I can take that, but IMO after driving the Jeep in the snow and ice this past week, I won't need to.

Just a question for ya, why 4x2 not 4x4? Just wondering. Don’t know people who buy 2wd Jeeps. And I’d like to know why someone would choose to. Thanks.

BooMan 62

· #16 · Feb 21, 2022

In snow my TH goes good with AWD Had 4 inches or so was going 45 and never slipped or slid. I was getting too comfortable with the ability of the vehicle. Very sure footed to the point of being a little dangerous.

Reactions: 1

Jasmine

· #17 · Feb 21, 2022

Bigcoug said:
Just a question for ya, why 4x2 not 4x4? Just wondering. Don’t know people who buy 2wd Jeeps. And I’d like to know why someone would choose to. Thanks.

This thread is 15 years old! Some threads never die. I doubt OP is still around.

Most people don't even need AWD or 4wd. Heck, our grandparents got by with RWD. Before AWD was available, people lived in the mountains, they lived in the Dakotas, they lived in the snowbelt -- they all got places. My Grandfather delivered milk house-to-house with a RWD truck and never missed a day, and that was before Jeeps were even invented. He sold his route during the war when Jeeps were a new thing and were certainly not in civilian use.

My 2008 and 2014 Patriots (siblings to the 1st gen Compass) are both FWD. For most driving, including winter snow, FWD is fine. Just give it good tires. 4wd is for unplowed roads or serious off-roading. FWD, good clearance, and good tires are all you need for a muddy road or a typical New England snowstorm. They plow the roads around here, usually every few inches. I've driven my 2008 in 7" of snow on the winding, hilly, rural road where I used to live (that town didn't plow between midnight and 5AM and I left for work at 4AM). Challenging yes, but not beyond the ability of an experience driver with FWD and dedicated snow tires. Really, that's about as bad as it gets.

My 2008 Patriot was my snow car and never let me down. It ventured into some pretty tough stuff and handled it just fine. See post #7 in this thread on the Patriot site: Jeep patriot 2x4 off-roading review by ALLPAR.. must read!. Where I live now my road gets pretty squishy in mud season, but Wifey drives Her Patriot through it. She gets to work and home again.

Reading it over, I don't mean to seem defensive. I just think the AWD on my Compass is unnecessary; if they had a FWD Compass I would have bought it, but since my previous car was wrecked I had to buy something pronto!

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Bigcoug

· #18 · Feb 21, 2022

Thanks for the reply to my question. That makes sense. I just have never even considered it even a thing on a Jeep. Anything with a Jeep badge will be expected by at least one of its lifetime owners to preform like a Jeep simply because of the badge and not even know it wasn’t a 4x4. So many real AWD Jeeps are full auto with no interface from driver. So many people just assume Jeep =4x4.

Bigcoug

· #19 · Feb 21, 2022

You can buy a 2wd wrangler but why would you?

Jasmine

· #20 · Feb 21, 2022

Bigcoug said:
You can buy a 2wd wrangler but why would you?

That's a good question. IMO, every Jeep ought to be 4wd or AWD. That's what a Jeep is supposed to be.

A few years ago I compared our FWD Patriot and our Wrangler using a steep hill on a lightly traveled road in ice/snow conditions. Without 4wd the Wrangler was horrible (Patriot beat it, hands down); in 4wd the Wrangler was by far and away better.

I think the reason my 2008 Patriot was lingering on the dealer's lot is because it was FWD. Applying my opinion in the post above, I bought it for a giveaway price and remained totally happy with it. We bought another in 2014, also FWD.

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