2010 JEEP PATRIOT engine overheat

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel, below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate with the
ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
384 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. When
safe, pull over and stop the vehicle with the engine at
idle. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot.If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 385

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and 1st gear. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween 1st and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage. NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze) and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Overheating.......................... 385
Selection Of Lubricant ................... 425
Shifting ............................. 297
Special Additives ...................... 426
Autostick ............................. 299
Battery ............................... 410
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 24
Belts, Seat .............................. 83
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 413
B-Pillar Location ........................ 338
Brake Assist System ...................... 322
Brake Fluid ............................ 445
Brake, Parking .......................... 316
Brake System ........................ 318,422
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................... 319,322
Master Cylinder ....................... 423
Parking ............................. 316
Warning Light ........................ 192 Brakes
............................. 318,422
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 296
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 81
Bulb Replacement ..................... 437,438
Bulbs, Light .......................... 85,437
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 443
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 443
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 365
Oil (Engine) ....................... 402,409
Power Steering ........................ 315
Car Washes ............................ 428
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............82,364
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 174
Cargo Area Features ...................... 173
Cargo Compartment Light ............................... 173
Luggage Carrier ....................... 180
10
INDEX 479

Brake Assist System.................... 322
Electronic Roll Mitigation ................ 323
Electronic Stability Program ............... 327
Traction Control System ................. 323
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 152
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 327
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 202
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 386
Jump Starting ......................... 391
Towing ............................. 397
Emission Control System Maintenance ......404,448
Engine ............................... 402
Block Heater ......................... 292
Break-In Recommendations ................ 81
Checking Oil Level ..................... 407
Cooling ............................. 417
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 82,364
Fuel Requirements ..................... 360 Jump Starting
......................... 391
Oil ........................... 407,443,444
Oil Change Interval .................... 408
Oil Filler Cap ...................... 402,409
Oil Filter ............................ 444
Oil Selection .......................... 408
Oil Synthetic ......................... 409
Overheating .......................... 384
Temperature Gauge .................... 195
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 67
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 36,82,364
Exhaust System ....................... 82,414
Exterior Lights .......................... 85
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 410
Air Conditioning ...................... 282
Engine Oil ........................ 409,444
Flashers .............................. 384
482 INDEX

Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 360
Odometer ............................. 197
Trip ............................. 196,197
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 204
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 204
Oil, Engine ......................... 407,443
Capacity ............................ 443
Change Interval ....................... 408
Checking ............................ 407
Disposal ............................ 409
Filter ............................... 409
Identification Logo ..................... 408
Materials Added to ..................... 409
Recommendation ................... 408,443
Synthetic ............................ 409
Viscosity ............................ 409
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............403,404
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 155
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 5Overdrive
............................. 298
Overheating, Engine ................... 195,384
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........5,473
Paint Care ............................. 428
Panic Alarm ............................ 22
Parking Brake .......................... 316
Passing Light ........................... 146
Personal Settings ........................ 207
Pets .................................. 81
Phone, Cellular .......................... 96
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 96
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 338
Power Door Locks ........................... 28
Mirrors .............................. 93
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 165
Steering .......................... 314,315
Sunroof ............................. 162
488 INDEX