2015 JEEP PATRIOT trailer

The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
15. Transmission Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that the transmission fluid
temperature is running hot. This may occur
with severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this
light turns on, safely pull over and stop them
vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and
run the engine at idle or faster until the light turns off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illumi-
nated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in
contact with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.
16. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 16 seconds when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly
until the vehicle is disarmed. The light will also
turn on for about three seconds when the ignition is first
turned to ON/ RUN.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 223

17. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
CAUTION!(Continued)
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
18. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator shows that the Electronic Speed
Control System is ON.
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Reformulated Gasoline.................410
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............410
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......411
▫MMT In Gasoline......................411
▫Materials Added To Fuel................411
▫Fuel System Cautions...................412
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............413
!ADDING FUEL........................413
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............413
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............415
!VEHICLE LOADING....................416
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............416
!TRAILER TOWING.....................418
▫Common Towing Definitions.............418
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............422
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................423
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............424
▫Towing Requirements..................425
▫Towing Tips.........................430
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................433
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .433
320 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
third, and fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive
sixth gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick shift
control (refer to “AutoStick (Six-Speed Automatic Trans-
mission)” in this section for further information) to select
a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the best fuel economy. The DRIVE
position provides optimum driving characteristics under
all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick shift
control (refer to#AutoStick (CVT)#in this section for
further information) to select a lower gear ratio. Under
these conditions, using a lower gear ratio will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During sustained high speed driving or trailer
towing up long grades on hot days, the auto-
matic transmission oil may become too hot. If
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STARTING AND OPERATING 341

this happens, the transmission overheat indicator light
will come on, and the vehicle will slow slightly until the
transmission cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating. If the high speed is main-
tained, the overheating may reoccur, as before, in a cyclic
fashion.
LOW (L) — If Equipped
Use this range for engine braking when descending very
steep grades. In this range, the transmission will down-
shift for maximum engine braking, and upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed.
AUTOSTICK
Autostick (Six-Speed Automatic Transmission)
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing manual shift control, giving you more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
Operation
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the six available gears. To engage AutoStick, simply tap
the shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in the DRIVE
position. Tapping (-) to enter AutoStick mode will down-
shift the transmission to the next lower gear, while using
(+) to enter AutoStick mode will retain the current gear.
When AutoStick is active, the current transmission gear is
displayed in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up or
down when the driver moves the shift lever to the right
(+) or left (-), unless an engine lugging or overspeed
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
Autostick (CVT)
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing six manually selectable gear ratios, giving you
more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to
maximize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts
and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle perfor-
mance. This system can also provide you with more
control during passing, city driving, cold slippery condi-
tions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other
situations.
Operation
NOTE:AutoStick is not available until the CVT warms
up in cold weather.
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, AutoStick
is activated by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Mov-
ing the shift lever to the right (+) will activate AutoStick
and shift up to the next higher manual ratio, unless you
are already operating in or near Overdrive, in which case
sixth gear ratio will be selected. In like manner, moving
the shift lever to the left (-) will activate AutoStick and
shift to the next lower manual ratio. The manually-
selected gear will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
HDC is only intended to assist the driver in control-
ling vehicle speed when descending hills. The driver
must remain attentive to the driving conditions and
is responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle speed.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped.
•Vehicle must be on a 7% (approximate) grade or
greater hill.
•Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills with a loaded
vehicle, or while pulling a trailer, when the system
will not activate and slight rolling may occur. This
could cause a collision with another vehicle or object.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 367