2017 JEEP PATRIOT traction control

When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4WD Lock
Lever Engaged — If Equipped
When driving off-road, shift into low (L Off-Road [if
equipped] ) and activate the 4WD LOCK. This will provide
additional traction and activates the numerous off-road
features to improve handling and control on slippery or
difficult terrain. Due to the sustained lower gearing, low (L
Off-Road [if equipped] ) with 4WD LOCK engaged will
allow the engine to operate in a higher power range. This
will allow you to cross over obstacles and descend hills,
with improved control and less effort.
NOTE:For maximum off-road performance, premium
fuel is recommended. While the vehicle will operate on
regular fuel when in L Off-Road mode (if equipped), the
engine has been calibrated for maximum performance
using premium fuel.
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
There is a drastic reduction in traction when driving in
snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be less responsive to
steering, acceleration and braking inputs. Therefore, you
should accelerate slowly, leave greater stopping distances
and avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to keep a
slow constant steady pace. The key is to maintain the
vehicle’s momentum. Snow
In heavy snow or for additional control and traction at
slower speeds, activate the 4WD LOCK and shift the
transaxle to low (L Off-Road [if equipped] ) if necessary. Do
not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and
traction will be lost. If you start to slow to a stop, try
turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn
quickly back and forth, while still applying throttle. This
will allow the tires to get a fresh
biteand help maintain
your momentum.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high
engine RPM’s or vehicle speeds because engine brak-
ing may cause skidding and loss of control.
Mud
Deep mud creates a great deal of suction around the tires
and is very difficult to get through. You should use low (L
Off-Road [if equipped] ) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and
maintain your momentum. If you start to slow to a stop, try
turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn
quickly back and forth for additional traction. Mud holes
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

low (L Off-Road [if equipped]) with the 4WD LOCK
engaged and proceed with caution maintaining your mo-
mentum as you climb the hill.
Driving Up Hill
Once you have determined your ability to proceed and
have shifted into the appropriate gear, line your vehicle up
for the straightest possible run. Accelerate with an easy
constant throttle and apply more power as you start up the
hill. Do not race forward into a steep grade; the abrupt
change of grade could cause you to lose control. If the front
end begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring
all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the crest
of the hill, ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over the
top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of
a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly
back and forth. This will provide a freshbiteinto the
surface and will usually provide enough traction to com-
plete the climb. If you do not make it to the top, place the
vehicle in REVERSE and back straight down the grade
using engine resistance along with the vehicle brakes.WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn around
on a steep grade. Driving across an incline increases
the risk of a rollover, which may result in severe injury.
Driving Down Hill
Before driving down a steep hill you need to determine if
it is too steep for a safe descent. What is the surface
traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a slow con-
trolled descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight descent?
Is there plenty of distance at the base of the hill to regain
control if the vehicle descends to fast? If you feel confident
in your ability to proceed then make sure you are in low (L
Off-Road [if equipped] ) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and
proceed with caution. Allow engine and hill descent brak-
ing to control the descent and apply your brakes if neces-
sary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking.
Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured or killed.
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

Driving Across An Incline
If at all possible avoid driving across an incline. If it is
necessary, know your vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an
incline places more weight on the down-hill wheels, which
increases the possibilities of a down-hill slide or rollover.
Make sure the surface has good traction with firm and
stable soils. If possible transverse the incline at an angle
heading slightly up or down.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of a roll-
over, which may result in severe injury.
If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway
If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep
hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately
apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift to REVERSE.
Back slowly down the hill allowing engine and hill descent
braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if
necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt
to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and
rolling the vehicle, which may result in severe injury.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in RE-
VERSE gear. Never back down a hill in NEUTRAL
using only the vehicle brakes. Never drive diagonally
across a hill, always drive straight up or down.
Driving Through Water
Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of water.
Water crossings should be avoided if possible, and only be
attempted when necessary in a safe responsible manner.
You should only drive through areas which are designated
and approved. You should tread lightly and avoid damage
to the environment. You should know your vehicles abili-
ties and be able to recover it if something 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 [if equipped] )
with the 4WD LOCK engaged and proceed very slowly
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 237

WARNING!(Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having ad-
equate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Tire Types
All Season Tires — If Equipped
All Season tires provide traction for all seasons (Spring,
Summer, Fall and Winter). Traction levels may vary be-
tween different all season tires. All season tires can be
identified by the M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation on the
tire sidewall. Use all season tires only in sets of four; failure
to do so may adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
Summer Or Three Season Tires — If Equipped
Summer tires provide traction in both wet and dry condi-
tions, and are not intended to be driven in snow or on ice.
If your vehicle is equipped with Summer tires, be aware
these tires are not designed for Winter or cold driving
conditions. Install Winter tires on your vehicle when am-
bient temperatures are less than 40°F (5°C) or if roads are
covered with ice or snow. For more information, contact an
authorized dealer.
Summer tires do not contain the all season designation or
mountain/snowflake symbol on the tire sidewall. Use
Summer tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice conditions. You
could lose vehicle control, resulting in severe injury or
death. Driving too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
316 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer in
each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on your
vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test course. For example, a
tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half times as well
on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions onspecified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance, which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel, than the
minimum required by law.
322 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Dimmer Switch, Headlight.....................47
Dipsticks Power Steering ......................... .213
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................296
Door Locks Child-Protection Door Lock — Rear Doors .......32
Door Locks ..............................28
KeyFob................................28
Remote ................................28
Remote Keyless Entry ......................28
Door Locks, Automatic .......................30
Door Opener, Garage .........................77
Downshifting ............................ .202
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt ........................35
Driving ................................. .233
Off-Pavement .......................... .233
Off-Road ............................. .233
Electrical Power Outlets .......................87
Electric Remote Mirrors .......................45
Electronic Brake Control System ................131
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................130
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...................138
Traction Control System ....................134 Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)
.........214
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............134
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........103
Emergency, In Case Of Jacking ........................... .249, 302
Jump Starting .......................... .265
Towing ............................... .272
Emission Control System Maintenance ............127
Engine .............................. .282, 283
Air Cleaner ............................ .289
Block Heater ........................... .197
Break-In Recommendations .................197
Checking Oil Level ...................... .284
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................284, 293, 336
Cooling ........................... .284, 292
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................189, 334
Jump Starting .......................... .265
O

il ........................... .286, 335, 336
Oil Filler Cap .....................282, 283, 286
Oil Filter .............................. .287
Oil Selection ........................... .286
Oil Synthetic ........................... .287
Overheating ........................... .268
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .........172, 274
Ethanol ................................. .331
12
INDEX 407

Key, Programming..........................26
Key, Replacement ...........................26
Keys ....................................19
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ......................25
Lane Change And Turn Signals .................245
Lane Change Assist ..........................49
Lap/Shoulder Belts ........................ .150
Latches ................................. .192
Hood ..................................71
Leaks, Fluid ............................. .192
Life Of Tires ............................. .314
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer .................54
Light Bulbs .......................... .192, 243
Lights .................................. .192
AirBag......................... .99, 163, 190
Back-Up .............................. .245
Brake Assist Warning ..................... .137
Brake Warning ......................... .100
Cargo .................................74
Center Mounted Stop ..................... .245
Cruise ................................115
Daytime Running .........................47
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................47
Exterior .............................. .192Fog...............................
.48, 245
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................243
Headlights ..............................46
Headlights On With Wipers ...............49, 53
Headlight Switch .........................46
High Beam ..............................47
High Beam/Low Beam Select .................47
Instrument Cluster ........................46
Interior ................................49
License ............................... .245
Lights On Reminder .......................49
Low Fuel ............................. .109
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ..........104
Map Reading ............................50
Park ..................................113
Seat Belt Reminder ........................99
Security Alarm....................... .28, 101
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .............105
Traction Control ........................ .137
T
urn Signal ....................48, 113, 192, 245
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) .......113
Loading Vehicle ........................... .220
Tires................................. .306
Locks ....................................28
Automatic Door ..........................30
410 INDEX

Tire Service Kit........258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................226
Towing ................................. .222
24-Hour Towing Assistance .................378
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .272
Guide ................................ .225
Recreational ........................... .232
Weight ............................... .225
Towing Assistance ......................... .378
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ............232
Traction Control .......................... .134
Trailer Towing ............................ .222
Cooling System Tips ..................... .231
Hitches ............................... .224
Minimum Requirements ....................226
Tips ................................. .230
Trailer And Tongue Weight ..................226
Wiring ............................... .229
Trailer Towing Guide ....................... .225
Trailer Weight ............................ .225
Transaxle Automatic ..............................21
Transmission Automatic ....................202, 203, 299, 300
Fluid .......................... .299, 300, 338Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink)
.......77
Transporting Pets ......................... .188
Tread Wear Indicators ...................... .313
Trip Computer ............................115
Turn Signals ....................... .48, 113, 245
UCI Connector ........................... .362
Uconnect Advanced Phone Connectivity ...............380
Phone Call Features ...................... .374
Phone Features ......................... .377
Uconnect (Hands-Free Phone) ..................367
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ..................322
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector .....362
Universal
Transmitter ........................77
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt ................154
Vanity Mirrors .............................46
Variance, Compass ......................... .124
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .............328
Vehicle Loading ....................... .220, 307
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations .................7
Vehicle Security Alarm (Security Alarm) ...........27
Vehicle Storage .............................65
416 INDEX