2012 JEEP PATRIOT overheating

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 TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transmission 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 transmission
cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating may reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 391

8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
10. Reinstall the air intake duct.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
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 DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 1st gear
and Reverse (with manual transmission). Using minimal
accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking mo-
tion, without spinning the wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
406 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic
transmission) or 1st gear and Reverse (with
manual transmission), do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
•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.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 407

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•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.
430 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 324
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 433
Adding Fuel........................... 371
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 428
Additives, Fuel......................... 369
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 422
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 424
Air Conditioning........................ 277
Air Conditioning Controls................. 277
Air Conditioning Filter.................288,425
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............424,425
Air Conditioning System.............277,281,424
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 289
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 347
Airbag..............................61,70
Airbag Deployment....................... 71
Airbag Light...................68,69,74,86,199
Airbag Maintenance....................... 73
Airbag, Side......................64,67,69,70Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)...........65,67,70
Alarm Light........................... 203
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 18
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................240,264
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).............. 324
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 200
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 18
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........432,454,455
Capacities.......................... 454
Disposal........................... 434
Appearance Care........................ 442
Assistance Towing....................... 113
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 95
Automatic Door Locks...................31,32
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 281
Automatic Transaxle.................12,296,391
Overheating........................ 391
484 INDEX

Electronic Brake Control System............. 326
Anti-Lock Brake System................ 327
Brake Assist System................... 327
Electronic Roll Mitigation............... 328
Traction Control System................ 328
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 158
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)............. 332
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 213
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................ 392
Jump Starting....................... 402
Towing............................ 409
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 416
Engine............................413,414
Block Heater........................ 298
Break-In Recommendations.............. 84
Checking Oil Level................... 419
Cooling........................... 431Exhaust Gas Caution................85,370
Fuel Requirements.................... 367
Jump Starting....................... 402
Oil .........................419,454,455
Oil Change Interval................... 420
Oil Filler Cap..................413,414,421
Oil Filter........................... 455
Oil Selection........................ 420
Oil Synthetic........................ 421
Overheating........................ 390
Temperature Gauge................... 203
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 71
Ethanol............................... 368
Event Data Recorder...................... 74
Exhaust Gas Caution.................38,85,370
Exhaust System.......................85,429
Exterior Lights.......................... 88
488 INDEX

Outside............................ 97
Rearview........................... 94
Vanity............................. 99
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 357
Mopar Parts.........................417,478
MTBE/ETBE........................... 368
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 149
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 84
Occupant Restraints...................39,67,71
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)...........64,65,67,70
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 367
Odometer............................. 207
Trip ...........................205,207
Oil Change Indicator..................... 216
Oil Change Indicator, Reset................. 216Oil, Engine.........................419,454
Capacity........................... 454
Change Interval..................... 420
Checking.......................... 419
Disposal........................... 421
Filter............................. 422
Identification Logo................... 420
Materials Added to................... 421
Recommendation..................420,454
Synthetic.......................... 421
Viscosity........................... 421
Onboard Diagnostic System..............415,416
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®)........... 161
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 5
Overheating, Engine...................204,390
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).........5,479
Paint Care............................. 442
Panic Alarm............................ 24
494 INDEX