2009 JEEP PATRIOT weight

safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on Vehicle
and Trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Your vehicle may be factory equipped for safe towing of
trailers weighing over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional
Trailer Tow Prep Package. See your authorized dealer for
package content.
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) chart for the maximum GTW towable for
your given drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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5

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt. (See Note
1)
2.0L Auto/Man 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L Auto/Man 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L Auto/Man with
Trailer Tow Prep Pack-
age (AHC)32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 300 lbs (136 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
Note 1 – The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tire–Safety
Information” in this section.
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyfrom side-to-
side which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and
trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause
of many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum trailer tongue weight
stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The trailer tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
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5

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 miles
(805 km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may dam-
age your vehicle.
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance Sched-
ule.” Refer to Section 8 of this manual. When towing a
trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
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.
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

•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. GAWR4. 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
“Tires – General Information” in this section 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 “Tires–General Infor-
mation” in this section for the proper inspection pro-
cedure.
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5

Gearshift.............................. 262
General Information.................19,109,328
General Maintenance..................... 369
Glass Cleaning.......................... 392
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 337
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............335,337
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect) .............. 81
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 267
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 350
Head Restraints......................... 117
Headlights............................ 398
Cleaning............................ 392
High Beam.......................... 126
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 126
Passing............................. 127
Replacing........................... 398Switch.............................. 123
Heated Seats........................... 117
Hill Descent Control...................177,295
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 339
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 136
Hood Release.......................... 121
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Immobilizer (Sentry Key).................16,20
Infant Restraint.......................... 61
Information Center, Vehicle................. 179
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 75
Instrument Cluster....................... 167
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 165
Instrument Panel Cover................... 392
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 393
442 INDEX

Tire Safety Information.................... 300
Tires ............................70,309,432
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 315
Air Pressure.......................... 309
Chains.............................. 318
Changing............................ 352
Compact Spare........................ 312
Flat Changing........................ 357
General Information.................... 309
High Speed.......................... 312
Inflation Pressures..................... 310
Jacking............................. 352
Life of Tires.......................... 315
Load Capacity........................ 305
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 319
Pressure Warning Light.................. 173
Quality Grading....................... 432
Radial.............................. 312
Replacement......................... 316Rotation............................ 318
Safety...........................300,309
Sizes............................... 302
Snow Tires........................... 318
Spare Tire........................... 353
Spinning............................ 314
Tread Wear Indicators................... 315
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 341
Towing............................... 337
24-Hour Towing Assistance................ 95
Disabled Vehicle....................... 361
Guide.............................. 340
Recreational.......................... 348
Weight.............................. 340
Towing Assistance........................ 95
Trailer Towing.......................... 337
Cooling System Tips.................... 347
Hitches............................. 339
Minimum Requirements................. 342
450 INDEX

Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 341
Wiring.............................. 345
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 340
Trailer Weight.......................... 340
Transaxle............................. 260
Automatic....................12,256,260,386
Autostick............................ 264
Manual........................14,256,258
Operation........................... 260
Overdrive........................... 264
Selection of Lubricant................... 386
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 136
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 24
Transporting Pets........................ 68
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 315
Trip Odometer.......................... 175Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 173
Turn Signals......................126,168,400
UCI Connector......................... 229
UConnect(Hands-Free Phone).............. 81
Understanding Your Instrument Panel......... 165
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 432
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 229
Universal Transmitter..................... 136
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 328
Vanity Mirrors........................... 80
Variance, Compass....................... 186
Vehicle Certification Label................. 335
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 7
Vehicle Loading...................305,335,336
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 8
Vehicle Storage......................... 397
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).......... 19
INDEX 451
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