2011 JEEP PATRIOT check engine light

29. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light — If EquippedThe “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON/RUN position. It should go out with the
engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator Light” comes on continuously with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC
system. If this light remains on after several ignition
cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles
(kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see
your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” come on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned to
ON/RUN.
•Each time the ignition is turned to ON/RUN, the ESC
system will be ON, even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
30. 4WD! Warning Light This light monitors the 4-Wheel Drive (4WD)
system. The light will come on, for a bulb
check, when the ignition key is turned to the
ON/RUN position and may stay on for as long
as three seconds.
When lit solid: There is an 4WD system fault. 4WD
performance will be at a reduced level. Service the 4WD
system soon.
When blinking: The 4WD system is temporarily dis-
abled due to overload condition.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207

designated and approved. You should tread lightly and
avoid damage to the environment. You should know
your vehicles abilities and be able to recover it if some-
thing goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a
vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested
water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls, do
not attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested
water first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. You
want to use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK
engaged and proceed very slowly with a constant slow
speed {3-5 mph (5–8 km/h) maximum} and light throttle.
Keep the vehicle moving; do not try to accelerate through
the crossing. After crossing any water higher than the
bottom of the axle differentials, you should inspect all of
the vehicle fluids for signs of water ingestion.CAUTION!
Water ingestion into the transaxle, transfer case,
engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive too
fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause
permanent damage to engine, driveline or other
vehicle components and your brakes will be less
effective once wet and/or muddy.
Before You Cross Any Type Of Water
As you approach any type of water you need to deter-
mine if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If neces-
sary, get out and walk through the water or probe it with
a stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle,
current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or
muddy waters, check for hidden obstacles. Make sure
you will not be intruding on any wildlife and you can
recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe crossing
is the water depth, current and bottom conditions. On
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STARTING AND OPERATING 309

any reason (for example, repeated brake applications
with the engine off), the brakes will still function. How-
ever, the effort required to brake the vehicle will be much
greater than that required with the power system oper-
ating.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident
by increased pedal travel during application and greater
pedal force required to slow or stop. In addition, if the malfunction is caused by an internal leak, as the brake
fluid in the master cylinder drops, the “Brake Warning
Light” will light.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light” on
is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking per-
formance or vehicle stability during braking may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle or
will make your vehicle harder to control. You could
have a collision. Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS provides increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically “pumps” the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock-up.
316 STARTING AND OPERATING

persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the MIL
light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once A Month
•Check the tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 443

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 316
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 417
Adding Fuel ........................... 362
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 412
Additives, Fuel ......................... 360
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 408
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 410
Air Conditioning ........................ 274
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 274
Air Conditioning Filter .................... 285
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............410,411
Air Conditioning System .............274,278,410
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 286
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 339
Airbag .............................. 60,69
Airbag Deployment ....................... 70
Airbag Light ................... 67,68,73,85,195
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 72
Airbag, Side ...................... 63,66,68,69Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........64,66,69
Alarm Light ........................... 200
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................236,261
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 316
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 196
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........416,438,439
Capacities .......................... 438
Disposal ........................... 419
Appearance Care ........................ 426
Assistance Towing ....................... 112
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
Automatic Door Locks ................... 29,30
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 278
Automatic Transaxle ...........12,291,296,381,423
Fluid Level Check .................... 424
Interlock System ..................... 297
468 INDEX

Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 178
Luggage Carrier ..................... 185
Cargo Light ............................ 178
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 181
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 182
Cellular Phone ........................ 98,273
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 437
Chains, Tire ............................ 347
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 382
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 330
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 402
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 84
Checks, Safety ........................... 84
Child Restraint .......................... 74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 79
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 77
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32 Child Seat
.............................. 81
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 358
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 428
Climate Control ......................... 273
Clock ........................... 222,241,250
Clutch ............................... 421
Clutch Fluid ........................... 421
Coin Holder ........................... 177
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 273
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 342
Compass .............................. 208
Compass Calibration ..................... 218
Compass Variance ....................... 218
Connector UCI .............................. 264
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 264
Console .............................. 177
Contract, Service ........................ 461
470 INDEX

Electronic Brake Control System............. 319
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 319
Brake Assist System ................... 319
Electronic Roll Mitigation ............... 321
Traction Control System ................ 320
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 157
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 325
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 209
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 382
Jump Starting ....................... 388
Towing ............................ 395
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 402
Engine ............................ 399,400
Block Heater ........................ 293
Break-In Recommendations .............. 83
Checking Oil Level ................... 405
Cooling ........................... 415 Exhaust Gas Caution
................84,361
Fuel Requirements .................... 358
Jump Starting ....................... 388
Oil ......................... 405,438,439
Oil Change Interval ................... 406
Oil Filler Cap .................. 399,400,407
Oil Filter ........................... 439
Oil Selection ........................ 406
Oil Synthetic ........................ 407
Overheating ........................ 380
Temperature Gauge ................... 200
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 70
Ethanol ............................... 359
Event Data Recorder ...................... 73
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 36,84,361
Exhaust System ....................... 84,413
Exterior Lights .......................... 87
472 INDEX