2012 JEEP PATRIOT Owners Manual

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

2. Remove the shift lever override access cover located
on the right side of the shifter housing.3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
without starting the engine (engine OFF).
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, push and
hold the override release lever forward.
6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.
Shift Lever Override Access Cover
408 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the GroundAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSIONMANUAL
TRANSMISSION
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWEDTransmission in
NEUTRAL
Wheel Lift or Dolly TowRearNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Front FWD ModelsONLYFWD ModelsONLY
FlatbedALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
With Ignition Key
Automatic Transmission
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with
the front wheels elevated or on a flatbed truck (all four
wheelsOFFthe ground).
•Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles must be towed on a
flatbed truck (all four wheelsOFFthe ground).
CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Manual Transmission
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
vehicles can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 409

•FWD vehicles can be towed with the front wheels
elevated.
•FWD or 4WD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck
(all wheelsOFFthe ground).
CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow disabled vehicle if condition is
related to the clutch, transmission or driveline.
Additional damage to the drivetrain could result.
All Transmissions
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defroster, etc.)
while being towed (wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must
be in the ON/RUN position, not the ACC position. Make
certain the transmission remains in NEUTRAL.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see “Shift Lever
Override” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic transmission out of the
PARK position for towing.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions could result in dam-
age to your vehicle:
•Do not attempt to use sling-type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN or ACC
position, not in the LOCK/OFF position.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. The only
approved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
410 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.0L............. 413
Engine Compartment — 2.4L............. 414
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II...... 415
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 415
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................ 416
Replacement Parts..................... 417
Dealer Service........................ 418Maintenance Procedures................. 418
▫Engine Oil......................... 419
▫Engine Oil Filter..................... 422
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter............... 422
▫Maintenance-Free Battery.............. 423
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance............ 424
▫Body Lubrication.................... 427
▫Windshield Wiper Blades............... 427
▫Adding Washer Fluid................. 428
7

▫Exhaust System..................... 429
▫Cooling System..................... 431
▫Brake System....................... 436
▫Automatic Transmission
(CVT) – If Equipped.................. 439
▫Manual Transmission – If Equipped....... 440
▫Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – AWD/4WD
Models Only....................... 441
▫Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD/4WD
Models Only....................... 441
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion.......................... 442
Fuses.............................. 448
▫Integrated Power Module.............. 448Vehicle Storage....................... 452
Replacement Bulbs.................... 452
Bulb Replacement..................... 453
▫Headlamps........................ 453
▫Fog Lamps......................... 453
▫Rear Tail, Turn Signal And Backup Lamps . . . 453
▫License Lamps...................... 454
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplamp......... 454
Fluid Capacities...................... 454
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts....... 455
▫Engine............................ 455
▫Chassis........................... 456
412 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Coolant Pressure Cap
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 413

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Coolant Pressure Cap
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE