2007 JEEP PATRIOT brake

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................237
NAutomatic Transaxle...................237
NManual Transaxle.....................238
NNormal Starting......................238
NExtremely Cold Weather (Below220ÉF
Or229ÉC)..........................238
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................239
NAfter Starting........................239
mAutomatic Transaxle Ð If Equipped.........240NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......241
N
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System. 241
NGear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)..............242
mManual Transaxle Operation...............244
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............245
NDownshifting........................245
mFour Wheel Drive System Ð If Equipped......246
mPatriot Freedom Drive II ± Safe Off-Road
Driving..............................247
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NOff-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................247
NFreedom Drive II 4WD System Operation....248
NFreedom Drive II ± Off-Road Features.......249
NHigh Mobility Characteristics.............250
NWater Fording Characteristics.............252
NThe Basics Of Off-Road Driving...........254
NWhen To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4WD
Lock Lever Engaged...................254
NSimultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation . . 255
NDriving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........255
NCrossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other
High Points).........................257
NHill Climbing........................260NDriving Through Water.................262
NAiring Down For Off-Road Driving........265
NVehicle Recovery......................266
NAfter Driving Off-Road.................269
mParking Brake.........................270
mBrake System..........................272
NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð If
Equipped...........................273
mPower Steering........................276
mTire Safety Information...................277
NTire Markings........................277
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........280
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........281
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park.
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
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Manual Transaxle
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and place the gear
selector in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
NOTE:If key won't turn and steering wheel is locked,
rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on
the locking mechanism and then turn the key.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the ªSTART'º position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
ªOFFº position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
Extremely Cold Weather (below220ÉF or229ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE Ð IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle
speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into
any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of Park.
Automatic Shift Lever
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON or ACC positions. Always depress the
brake pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of
PARK.NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transmission interlock system. There is a remov-
able plug in the right side of the shifter housing that
allows you to insert your finger to override the system.
The key must be in the ignition and in the on position to
use the override lever. If this occurs obtain service as
soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON positions, and
the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
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Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
ªPº Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, and then place the selector
in P (Park) position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

²When shifting into P (Park), firmly move the lever all
the way forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result. You must also depress the brake pedal.
ªRº Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
ªNº Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
ªDº
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum driveability, fuel economy, and
performance.
ªLº Low
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, the trans-
axle will ratio up only to prevent transaxle damage or
engine over speed while ratioing down will occur as
early as possible
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
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