2017 JEEP PATRIOT steering

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

After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you can
get any problems taken care of right away and have your
vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
• Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things
could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage to fuel
lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts. •
After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar
dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors,
wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and
cleaned as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent a collision. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
• If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a wheel
imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will correct the
situation.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 239

WARNING!(Continued)
•Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition is
off and that all the other services are switched off
and/or disengaged.
• If the replaced fuse blows again, contact an autho-
rized dealer.
• If a general protection fuse for safety systems (air
bag system, braking system), power unit systems
(engine system, gearbox system) or steering system
blows, contact an authorized dealer.
Integrated Power Module (IPM)
The Integrated Power Module is located in the engine
compartment near the air cleaner assembly. This center
contains cartridge fuses and mini-fuses. A label that iden-
tifies each component may be printed on the inside of the cover. Refer to “Engine Compartment” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
Cavity
Cartridge Fuse Mini-FuseDescription
1 20 Amp Blue –Trailer Tow – If Equipped
2 –15 Amp Lt Blue AWD/4WD Control Module
– If Equipped
3 –10 Amp Red Rear Center Brake Light
Switch
4 –10 Amp Red Ignition Switch/Clock Spring
Integrated Power Module
246 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

CavityCartridge Fuse Mini-FuseDescription
5 –15 Amp Lt Blue Battery Feed For Power Tech
6 –10 Amp RedPower Mirror/Steering Con-
trol Satellite Radio/Hands- Free Phone
7 –30 Amp Green Ignition Off Draw
8 –30 Amp Green Ignition Off Draw
9 40 Amp Green –Power Seats
10 –20 Amp Yellow Power Locks/Interior
Lighting
11 –15 Amp Lt Blue Power Outlet
12 –20 Amp Yellow 115V AC Inverter – If
Equipped
13 –20 Amp Yellow Cigar Lighter
14 –10 Amp Red Instrument Cluster
15 40 Amp Green –Radiator Fan
16 –15 Amp Lt Blue Dome Lamp/Sunroof/Rear
Wiper Motor
17 –10 Amp RedWireless Control Module
18 40 Amp Green –Auto Shutdown Relay
19 –20 Amp Yellow Radio Amplifiers
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 247

4. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON/RUNposition, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
6. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access port, and push and hold the override release lever
forward.
7. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.
8. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
9. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the 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 2nd gear and
REVERSE (with manual transmission), while gently press-
ing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accelerator
pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking motion,
without spinning the wheels, or racing the engine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce the
risk of clutch or transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
Gear Selector Override Access Cover
270 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Maintenance Plan
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” on the following pages for
the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and
park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
278 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
2.0L Engine
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Battery
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
282 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

2.4L Engine
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Battery
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 283