2017 JEEP PATRIOT trailer

Transmission Temperature Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Transmission Temperature Indicator 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 the vehicle.
Then, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
turns off.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the Trans-
mission Temperature Warning Light is illuminated you
could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact with
hot engine or exhaust components and cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
112 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•The vehicle must be stopped.
• Park brake must be off.
• Driver door must be closed.
• The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
• The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction
(i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle
backing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
• HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward gears.
The system will not activate if the transmission is in
PARK or NEUTRAL. For vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission, if the clutch is pressed, HSA will
remain active.
WARNING!
There may be situations where the Hill Start Assist
(HSA) will not activate and slight rolling may occur,
such as on minor hills or with a loaded vehicle, or
while pulling a trailer. HSA is not a substitute for
active driving involvement. It is always the driver ’s
responsibility to be attentive to distance to other ve-
hicles, people, and objects, and most importantly brake
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WARNING! (Continued)
operation to ensure safe operation of the vehicle under
all road conditions. Your complete attention is always
required while driving to maintain safe control of your
vehicle. Failure to follow these warnings can result in
a collision or serious personal injury.
Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
•If disabling HSA using your instrument cluster display,
refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• If disabling HSA using Uconnect Settings, refer to
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further infor-
mation.
For vehicles not equipped with an instrument cluster
display, perform the following steps:
1. Center the steering wheel (front wheels pointing straight forward).
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
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SAFETY 133

Full On (Four-Wheel Drive Models) Or On (Two-Wheel
Drive Models)
This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever the
vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in this “On”
mode. This mode should be used for most driving situa-
tions. ESC should only be turned to “Partial Off” or “ESC
Off” for specific reasons as noted below.
Partial Off (Four-Wheel Drive Models) Or On (Two-
Wheel Drive Models)
This mode is entered by momentarily pushing the “ESC
Off” switch. When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS portion
of ESC, except for the “limited slip” feature described in
the TCS section, has been disabled, and theESC OFF
Indicator Light will be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESC function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel
conditions, and more wheel spin than ESC would normally
allow is required to gain traction.
To turn ESC on again, momentarily push the “ESC Off”
switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of
operation. NOTE:
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pushing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situation
requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pushing the
“ESC Off” switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in
motion.
WARNING!
When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality of
ESC (except for the limited slip feature described in
the TCS section) has been disabled and the “ESC Off
Indicator Light” will be illuminated. When in “Partial
Off” mode, the engine power reduction of TCS is
disabled, and the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
the ESC system is reduced. Trailer Sway control (TSC)
(if equipped) is disabled when the ESC system is in the
Partial Off mode.
136 SAFETY

▫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

DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
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 driving characteristics under
all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick shift control (refer
to “AutoStick (Six-Speed Automatic Transmission)” 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.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating
limits, the transmission controller will modify the transmis-
sion shift schedule and expand the range of torque converter
clutch engagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating. If the transmission becomes
extremely hot, the “Transmission Temperature WarningLight” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
During very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or below),
transmission operation may be modified depending on
engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle
speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmis-
sion temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for ab-
normal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth gear regardless of which forward gear is selected.
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to operate.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated.
Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without damaging the trans-
mission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.6
STARTING AND OPERATING 207

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 conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), 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 perfor-
mance 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
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.FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, four–wheel
drive (4WD).
Where one or more wheels have wheel spin or if additional
traction is needed in sand, deep snow, or loose traction
surfaces, activate the “4WD LOCK” switch by pulling up
once and releasing. This locks the center coupling allowing
more torque to be sent to the rear wheels. The “4WD
Indicator Light” will come on in the cluster. This can be
done on the fly, at any vehicle speed. To deactivate, simply
pull on the switch one more time. The “4WD Indicator
Light” will then go out.
Four-Wheel Drive Switch
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do, parts
on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way
your vehicle handles. This could cause you to lose
control. Also overloading can shorten the life of your
vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information on
limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do with
your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully review this
information to tow your load as efficiently and safely as
possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage,
follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle. This
includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue weight. The
total load must be limited so that you do not exceed the
GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification La-
bel” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables, and equipment (permanent or tempo-
rary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and ready for
operation condition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of
the trailer must be supported by the scale.
WARNING!
If the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
or more, it is mandatory to use a weight-distributing
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222 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
hitch to ensure stable handling of your vehicle. If you
use a standard weight-carrying hitch, you could lose
control of your vehicle and cause a collision.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have a collision.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. You must consider this as part of
the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the
maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control can be a mechanical telescoping
link that can be installed between the hitch receiver and the
trailer tongue that typically provides adjustable friction
associated with the telescoping motion to dampen any
unwanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
If equipped, the electronic Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
recognizes a swaying trailer and automatically applies
individual wheel brakes and/or reduces engine power to
attempt to eliminate the trailer sway.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue weight,
just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some other
connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds of hitches are the
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223