2017 JEEP PATRIOT Owners Manual

WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or stacked
floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners may cause
your floor mat to interfere with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle control. To
prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
•ALWAYS securely attach
your floor mat using
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your floor
mat upside down or turn your floor mat over.
Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured using the
floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.
• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR MAT
FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any
other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an addi-
tional floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your vehicle.
NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be properly
attached and secured to your vehicle. If a floor mat
needs to be replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year of your
vehicle.
• ONLY use the driver ’s side floor mat on the driver ’s
side floor area. To check for interference, with the
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
vehicle properly parked with the engine off, fully
depress the accelerator, the brake, and the clutch
pedal (if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of any pedal,
or is not secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat in your
trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger ’s side floor mat on the
passenger ’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide into
the driver ’s side floor area when the vehicle is
moving. Objects can become trapped under accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals and could cause a loss of
vehicle control.
• NEVER place any objects under the floor mat (e.g.,
towels, keys, etc.). These objects could change the
position of the floor mat and may cause interference
with the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-
installed, always properly attach carpet to the floor
and check the floor mat fasteners are secure to the
vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to check for
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5
SAFETY 191

WARNING!(Continued)
interference with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals then re-install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap and water
to clean your floor mats. After cleaning, always check
your floor mat has been properly installed and is
secured to your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
192 SAFETY

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................195
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........195
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......195
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .196
▫
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –22°F Or 30°C). .196
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................196
▫ After Starting ......................... .197
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .197
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .197
 PARKING BRAKE ...................... .198
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION .................200
▫ Five-Speed Manual Transmission ............200
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ...............201
▫ Downshifting ........................ .202
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .202
▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ................203
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .203
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ......................... .203
▫ Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission
(CVT) — If Equipped ....................209
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .212
 POWER STEERING ..................... .213
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ...............213
 ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .214
▫ To Activate .......................... .215
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ...................215
6

▫To Deactivate ........................ .215
▫ To Resume Speed ..................... .215
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ................215
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................217
 PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA — IF
EQUIPPED ........................... .217
 ADDING FUEL ........................ .219
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................219
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .............220
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................220
▫ Certification Label ..................... .220
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .222
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............222 ▫
Trailer Hitch Classification ................224
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................ .225
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............226
▫ Towing Requirements ...................226
▫ Towing Tips ......................... .230
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................232
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle. . . .232
 DRIVING TIPS ......................... .233
▫ On-Road Driving Tips ...................233
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips ...................233
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the transmis-
sion into PARK, apply the parking brake and remove
the key fob from the ignition. When leaving the
vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be seriously or fatally injured. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children. A child could oper-
ate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the gear
selector in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
• The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
• If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked,
rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on
the locking mechanism and then turn the key.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting out
of PARK.
Tip Start
Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to the
START position and release it as soon as the starter
engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it will
disengage automatically when the engine is running. If the
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STARTING AND OPERATING 195

engine fails to start, the starter will disengage automati-
cally in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch
to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does not
require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal. Simply
turn the ignition switch to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 15
seconds, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, wait
10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” proce-
dure.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If
the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improperly,
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
so follow the procedure carefully. Refer to “Jump-
Starting” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further infor-
mation.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” and “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Press the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine for no
more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in
case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the “Nor-
mal Starting” procedure.
196 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the
vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing serious
personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded,
three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater cord
before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical
cord could cause electrocution.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After
the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil changes
should be consistent with anticipated climate conditions
under which vehicle operations will occur. For the recom-
mended viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Dealer
Service” in “Servicing And Maintenance”.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 197

CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as a problem.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave an auto-
matic transmission in PARK, or manual transmission in
REVERSE or first gear.
The parking brake lever is located in the center console. To
apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up
slightly, push the center button, then lower the lever
completely. When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the ON position, the “Brake Warning Light” in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the automatic
transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning
Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime
will sound to alert the driver. Fully release the parking
brake before attempting to move the vehicle.
• This light only shows that the parking brake is applied.
It does not show the degree of brake application.
Parking Brake
198 STARTING AND OPERATING