2007 JEEP PATRIOT Owners Manual

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

mTires Ð General Information...............285
NTire Pressure.........................285
NTire Inflation Pressures.................286
NRadial-Ply Tires......................289
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........289
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........290
NTire Spinning........................291
NTread Wear Indicators..................291
NLife Of Tire.........................292
NReplacement Tires.....................292
NAlignment And Balance.................294
mTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Ð If
Equipped............................294NBase Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Operation ± If Equipped................294
NPremium System ± If Equipped...........296
NGeneral Information...................301
mTire Chains...........................301
mSnow Tires...........................302
mTire Rotation Recommendations............302
mFuel Requirements......................303
NGasoline Engines.....................303
NReformulated Gasoline.................303
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............304
NMMT In Gasoline.....................304
NMaterials Added To Fuel................305
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
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NFuel System Cautions..................305
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............306
mAdding Fuel..........................307
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............307
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............308
mVehicle Loading........................309
NGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......309
mTrailer Towing.........................309
NCommon Towing Definitions.............309NTrailer Hitch Classification...............312
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................313
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............314
NTowing Requirements..................315
NTowing Tips.........................320
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 322
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................322
236 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

If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15
seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
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