2008 JEEP PATRIOT engine

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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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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•Unique Engine Calibration– When the system has
the 4WD lock lever engaged and is in the Low
Off-Road mode or reverse, the engine calibration
changes to run higher spark advance with premium
fuel for optimum off-road performance. Your vehicle is
equipped with an active spark knock system and can
adjust the engine calibration for a varying range of fuel
octane levels.High Mobility Characteristics
The Freedom Drive II Off-Road package has high off-
road mobility characteristics with an approach angle A=
29 degrees, a break-over angle B= 23 degrees, a running
ground clearance C= 9 in (23 cm), a departure angle D=
33 degrees, and a turning circle of 35.6 ft (11 m).
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When To Use Low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD
Lock Lever Engaged
When driving off-road, shift into low (L Off-Road) and
activate the 4WD LOCK. This will provide additional
traction and activates the numerous off-road features to
improve handling and control on slippery or difficult
terrain. Due to the sustained lower gearing, low (L
Off-Road) with 4WD Lock engaged will allow the engine
to operate in a higher power range. This will allow you to
cross over obstacles and descend hills, with improved
control and less effort.
Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation
Many off-road driving conditions require the simulta-
neous use of the brake and throttle (two-footed driving).
When climbing rocks, logs, or other stepped objects,
using light brake pressure with light throttle will keep the
vehicle from jerking or lurching. This technique is also
used when you need to stop and restart a vehicle on a
steep incline.
Driving in Snow, Mud and Sand
There is a drastic reduction in traction when driving in
snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be less responsive to
steering, acceleration and braking inputs. Therefore you
should accelerate slowly, leave greater stopping distances
and avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to keep a
slow constant steady pace. The key is to maintain the
vehicle’s momentum.
•Snow– In heavy snow or for additional control and
traction at slower speeds, activate the 4WD LOCK and
shift the transmission to low (L Off-Road) if necessary.
Don’t shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost. If you start to slow to a stop,
try turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4
turn quickly back and forth, while still applying
throttle. This will allow the tires to get a freshbite
and help maintain your momentum.
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CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high
engine RPM’s or vehicle speeds because engine brak-
ing may cause skidding and loss of control.
•Mud–Deep mud creates a great deal of suction around
the tires and is very difficult to get through. You should
use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and
maintain your momentum. If you start to slow to a stop,
try turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn
quickly back and forth for additional traction. Mud
holes pose an increased threat of vehicle damage and
getting stuck. They are normally full of debris from
previous vehicles getting stuck. As a good practice
before entering any mud hole, get out and determine
how deep it is, if there are any hidden obstacles and if
the vehicle can be safely recovered if stuck.
•Sand– Soft sand is very difficult to travel through
with full tire pressure. When crossing soft sandy spots
in a trail maintain your vehicle’s momentum and do
not stop. The key to driving in soft sand is using the
appropriate tire pressure, accelerating slowly, avoid-
ing abrupt maneuvers and maintaining the vehicle’s
momentum. If you are going to be driving on large soft
sandy areas or dunes, reduce your tire pressure to a
minimum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a greater tire
surface area. You should use low (L Off-Road) with the
4WD LOCK engaged and ESP turned off. Reduced tire
pressure will drastically improve your traction and
handling, while driving on the soft sand, but you must
return the tires to normal air pressure before driving
on pavement or other hard surfaces. Be sure you have
a way to reinflate the tires prior to reducing the
pressure.
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feel confident with the vehicle and your abilities. You
should always climb hills straight up and down. Never
attempt to climb a hill on an angle.
•Before Climbing A Steep Hill– As you approach a
hill consider its grade or steepness. Determine if it is
too steep. Look to see what the traction is on the hill
side trail. Is the trail straight up and down? What is on
top and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks, branches
or other obstacles on the path? Can you safely recover
the vehicle if something goes wrong? If everything
looks good and you feel confident, then you should
use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged
and proceed with caution maintaining your momen-
tum as you climb the hill
•Driving Up Hill– Once you have determined your
ability to proceed and have shifted into the appropri-
ate gear, line your vehicle up for the straightest
possible run. Accelerate with an easy constant throttleand apply more power as you start up the hill. Do not
race forward into a steep grade, the abrupt change of
grade could cause you to lose control. If the front end
begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring
all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the
crest of the hill ease off the throttle and slowly proceed
over the top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach
the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain
headway by turning the steering wheel no more than
a 1/4 turn quickly back and forth. This will provide a
freshbiteinto the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not
make it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and
back straight down the grade using engine resistance
along with the vehicle brakes.
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