2008 JEEP PATRIOT weight

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or authorized dealer-installed
options, must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information
placard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this
manual for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your vehicle drivetrain
components, the following guidelines are recommended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 mi (805 km)
of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your
vehicle.
•During the first 500 mi (805 km) of trailer towing,
limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to Section 8 of this manual. When
towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR,
ratings.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
PARK. Always block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
324 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires – General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
STARTING AND OPERATING 325
5

Gasoline, Reformulated................... 312
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 177
Fuel................................ 172
Odometer........................... 179
Tachometer.......................... 174
Gearshift.............................. 246
General Information................. 18,109,310
General Maintenance..................... 352
Glass Cleaning.......................... 380
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 318
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............317,318
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect) .............. 82
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 332
Head Restraints......................... 113
Headlights............................ 386
Cleaning............................ 380
High Beam........................124,173High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 124
Passing............................. 125
Replacing............................ 386
Switch .............................. 121
Heated Seats........................... 114
Hill Descent Control...................137,181
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 320
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 142
Hood Release.......................... 118
Hoses................................ 370
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................. 15,19
Infant Restraint.......................... 61
Information Center, Vehicle................. 183
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 78
424 INDEX

Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 64
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 18
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 160
Tilt Steering Column..................... 130
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 287
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 286
Tire Markings.......................... 283
Tire Safety Information.................... 283
Tires ............................ 71,291,415
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 298
Air Pressure.......................... 291
Alignment........................... 300
Chains.............................. 300
Changing............................ 334
Compact Spare........................ 295
Flat Changing........................ 339
General Information.................... 291
High Speed.......................... 294Inflation Pressures..................... 292
Jacking............................. 334
LifeofTires .......................... 298
Load Capacity.....................287,288
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 301
Quality Grading....................... 415
Radial.............................. 295
Replacement......................... 298
Rotation............................. 300
Safety...........................283,291
Sizes ............................... 284
Snow Tires........................... 310
Spare Tire........................... 335
Spinning ............................ 297
Tread Wear Indicators................... 297
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 322
Towing ............................... 317
24-Hour Towing Assistance................ 95
Disabled Vehicle....................... 343
432 INDEX

Guide .............................. 321
Recreational.......................... 329
Weight .............................. 321
Towing Assistance........................ 95
Traction.............................. 276
TrailerTowing .......................... 317
Cooling System Tips.................... 328
Hitches............................. 320
Minimum Requirements................. 323
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 322
Wiring .............................. 326
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 321
TrailerWeight .......................... 321
Transaxle............................. 244
Automatic.................... 13,239,244,373
Autostick............................ 249
Manual........................ 12,239,242
Operation........................... 244
Overdrive........................... 248Selection of Lubricant................... 373
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 177
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 24
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink) ........................... 142
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 22
Transporting Pets........................ 68
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 297
Trip Odometer.......................... 179
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 177
Turn Signals......................123,173,389
UConnect(Hands-Free Phone).............. 82
Understanding Your Instrument Panel......... 170
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 415
Universal Transmitter..................... 142
INDEX 433
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