Engage 4WD LOW, stay below 20 mph (32 km/h), release the parking brake, close the driver door and press the HDC switch; a solid indicator means it is enabled.
Check that your vehicle has it.
Verified for 2025 Compass Trailhawk vehicles equipped with HDC; operation requires 4WD LOW.
- Required equipment / service
- Compass Trailhawk equipped with Hill Descent Control and 4WD LOW
Does the documented scope match your car?
This check combines the verified year, any source-supported powertrain scope, source-named trim/package and required equipment. It does not read a VIN or factory build record.
Published availability and qualifications
Verified for 2025 Compass Trailhawk vehicles equipped with HDC; operation requires 4WD LOW.
Know what kind of control to look for.
This original category diagram is an orientation aid, not a picture of your exact trim. Use the written labels and your vehicle manual to identify the real control.
Step by step.
- 01
On suitable off-road terrain, stop and engage 4WD LOW before the descent.
- 02
Release the electric parking brake, close the driver door and keep vehicle speed below 20 mph (32 km/h).
- 03
Press the HDC switch in front of the gear selector.
- 04
Confirm the HDC switch lamp and cluster icon remain solid, then enter a sufficiently steep descent slowly.
- 05
Use the accelerator or brake to override the target when needed, and press the HDC switch again to disable it after the descent.
Important limits
- HDC is a low-speed off-road aid, not cruise control and not a substitute for driver braking.
- It may remain enabled but inactive on level ground, uphill or on an insufficient grade.
- Opening the driver door, leaving 4WD LOW or exceeding the system speed limits disables the feature.
Quick checks.
- ✓A flashing lamp followed by shutoff means one or more enable conditions were not met.
- ✓Recheck 4WD LOW, speed, parking-brake release and driver-door closure.
- ✓If brake temperature or a system fault message disables HDC, stop safely and allow the brakes to cool or obtain service.
What happened on your vehicle?
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2025 Jeep Compass Owner's Manual — Hill Descent Control
Relevant section or page: Safety — Hill Descent Control (HDC), If Equipped. We use the written official source to determine the steps and applicability shown above.
Reviewed with a visible trail.
Scope and steps were checked by Car Cheat Codes Editorial Review. A guide is narrowed or corrected when the source does not support a broader claim.
- Published
- Last modified
- Source checked
Guide change history
- Initial verified publication.