2008 JEEP PATRIOT Owners Manual

PARK
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use
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 shift
lever in the 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 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 PARK position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave unattended children inside a
vehicle.
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The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the
PARK position:
•When shifting into PARK, firmly move the shift lever
all the way forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the shift lever
bezel to ensure it is in the PARK position.
•You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the PARK position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you must
turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, dam-
age to the steering column or shift lever could result.
You must also depress the brake pedal.
REVERSE
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range.
DRIVE
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum drivability, fuel economy, and
performance.
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 ratio down will occur as early
as possible
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AUTOSTICK— IF EQUIPPED
Autostickis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
six manual ratio changes to provide you with more
control. Autostickallows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations. Automatic
ratio changes upward will only occur to protect the
Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
and/or the engine from overspeed. Changes down will
only happen at minimum engine speed to prevent stall-
ing.
AutostickOperation
NOTE:Autostickis not functional until the CVT
warms up in cold weather.
AutostickShifter
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Autostickoperation is activated in the DRIVE position
by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Moving the shift
lever to the (+) side will activate Autostickand shift up
to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are already
operating in or near Overdrive, in which case 6th ratio
will be selected. In like manner, moving the shift lever to
(-) will activate Autostickand shift to the next lower
manual ratio. After Autostickis activated, the manual
ratio selected is displayed in the transmission ratio
display and tipping the shift lever to the (+) or (-)
direction will cause an upshift or downshift by one ratio.
Autostickis deactivated:
•By holding the shift lever to (+) momentarily
•When the shift lever is shifted out of DRIVE
•When in 6th position, touching the shift lever to the right
•When heavy Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) applica-
tion is detected
AutostickGeneral Information
•
If a ratio other than 1st is selected and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed, that
shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine. However.
the CVT will stay in the manually selected ratio.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
•If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
Autostickmode and the transmission will return to
the automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
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FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, 4–Wheel
Drive (4WD).Where one or more wheels have wheel spin or if addi-
tional traction is needed in sand, deep snow, or loose
traction surfaces, activate the 4WD Lock switch by pull-
ing up once and releasing. This locks the center coupling
allowing more torque to be sent to the rear wheels. The
amber 4WD Indicator Light will come on in the cluster.
This can be done on the fly, at any vehicle speed. To
deactivate, simply pull on the switch one more time. The
4WD Indicator Light will then go out.
NOTE:Refer to Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in the
“Electronic Brake Control System” section of this manual
for additional information.
Four-Wheel Drive Switch
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FREEDOM DRIVE II – SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Off-Road Driving Tips and Vehicle Characteristics
The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package has excellent on
and off-road capabilities. These off-road capabilities will
allow you to explore those wilderness trails where few
travel, providing a source of exciting and satisfying
recreation. Before you venture out you should contact
your local governmental agency to determine what are
the designated off-road vehicle (ORV) trails or recreation
areas. You should always tread lightly and only use
established roads, trails or ORV recreational areas. The
National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or
local Department of Natural Resources are a wealth of
information and usually have maps with marked trails.
NOTE: For optimum off-road performance, premium
fuel is recommended. However, your vehicle isequipped with an active spark knock system and can
adjust the engine calibration for a varying range of fuel
octane levels.The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package
The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package provides excel-
lent capability on and off-road.
The package includes:
•2.4L DOHC 16-Valve I4 (172 bhp @ 6000 RPM, 165 lb-ft
@ 4400 RPM)
•Second generation continuously variable transaxle
(CVT2L) with 19:1 crawl ratio
•Tow Hooks: two front and one rear
•Front engine and transaxle skid plate
•Fuel tank skid plate
•Air filtration system
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•Unique springs fora1in(2.5cm)ofincreased ride
height
•Fog lamps
•Seat height adjust
•Three-mode Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
•Hilldescent control
•Unique off-road engine calibration for optimum off-
road performance with premium fuel
•Off-road Brake Traction Control
•Unique off-road Anti-lock brake calibration
•Heavy duty cooling package (Eng/larger CVT oil
cooler, High capacity cooling fans)
•Heavy duty alternator
•Improved body sealing and high located drivetrain
component vents
•Reinforced rear lateral links
Freedom Drive II 4WD System Operation
Under normal driving conditions, the vehicle operates in
the active 4–wheel drive mode. Pulling up on the 4WD
lock lever activates the 4WD system and lights the amber
4WD cluster light. This commands a higher torque to the
rear wheels, for improved traction capability on slippery
roads. The active 4–wheel drive mode has the same
functionality with the Freedom Drive I system. Shifting
the transaxle gear select lever into Low Off-Road mode
with the 4WD lock lever active, lights the amber off-road
and 4WD cluster lights. This off-road mode gives the
combined benefits of a 19:1 crawl ratio, hill descent
braking, optimum off-road performance with premium
fuel, and off-road brake traction control for improved
traction capability off-road. In low, the transaxle (CVT2L)
initially maintains the 19:1 crawl ratio before changing
ratio. This low ratio is ideal for crawling over obstacles.
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Freedom Drive II – Off-Road Features
The following are key off-road features which are active
when the system has the 4WD lock lever engaged and is
in the Low Off-Road mode.
•Hill Descent Braking– Hill descent braking uses the
vehicle braking system to provide a controlled descent
down varying grades. This feature is only active when
the system has the 4WD lock lever engaged and is in
the Low Off-Road mode or reverse. Hill descent
braking can be turned off by turning off ESP. The hill
decent control speed varies between 4-6 mph (6-10
km/h) forward, 3 mph (5 km/h) reverse.
•Off-Road Brake Traction Control– When conditions
warrant, the vehicle braking system transfers torquefrom side to side. It does not control throttle input
unlike normal traction control which is active in
Normal Drive mode.
•19.1 Crawl Ratio– When the system has the 4WD lock
lever engaged and is in the Low Off-Road mode, the
CVT2L initially maintains the 19:1 crawl ratio before
changing ratio. This low ratio is ideal for crawling over
obstacles.
•4WD Lock Mode– 4–wheel drive lock mode com-
mands a higher torque to the rear wheels, for im-
proved traction capability off-road. It also, turns on
other system features in conjunction with Low Off-
Road mode.
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