2020 JEEP PATRIOT overheating

Oil Pressure Warning Light
Red Telltale Light What It Means
Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine as
soon as possible. A chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. This light does not indicate how much oil is in the engine. The en-
gine oil level must be checked under the hood.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
Red Warning Light What It Means
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As engine coolant temperatures rise and the gauge approachesH, this
indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold. Further overheating will cause a con-
tinuous chime sound for 4 minutes, or until the engine is allowed to cool, whichever comes first.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further informa-
tion.
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Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected
with a high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide
proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A solution of 50%
OAT (Organic Additive Technology) coolant that
meets the requirements of FCA Material Stan-
dard MS.90032 and 50% water is recom-
mended. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper coolant
selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation Mode during winter
months is not recommended because it may
cause window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more,
run the air conditioning system at idle for about
five minutes in the fresh air and high blower
settings. This will ensure adequate system lu-
brication to minimize the possibility of compres-
sor damage when the system is started again.Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly
removed by turning the mode selector to De-
frost. The Defrost/Floor mode can be used to
maintain a clear windshield and provide suffi-
cient heating. If side window fogging becomes a
problem, increase blower speed. Vehicle win-
dows tend to fog on the inside in mild but rainy
or humid weather.
NOTE:
Recirculate without A/C should not be used
for long periods as fogging may occur.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is located at each
end of the instrument panel. These non-
adjustable outlets direct air toward the side
windows when the system is in the FLOOR,
MIX, or DEFROST mode. The air is directed at
the area of the windows through which you view
the outside mirrors.Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front
of the windshield, is free of obstructions such as
leaves. Leaves collected in the air intake may
reduce airflow, and if they enter the plenum,
they could plug the water drains. In winter
months, make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush, and snow.
A/C Air Filter — If Equipped
The A/C Filter prevents most dust and pollen
from entering the cabin. The filter acts on air
coming from outside the vehicle and recircu-
lated air within the passenger compartment.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for A/C Air Filter service
information or see your authorized dealer for
service. Refer to “Maintenance Schedules” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for filter service inter-
vals.
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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 Dis-
abled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest up-
shifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-
shifts through underdrive first, second, third,
and fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive
sixth gear. The DRIVE position provides opti-
mum 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, travel-
ing 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 infor-
mation) 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 transmission shift schedule and ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch en-
gagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating. If the transmission
becomes extremely hot, the “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” 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 tem-
perature as well as vehicle speed. Normal op-
eration will resume once the transmission tem-
perature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electroni-
cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition isdetected that could result in transmission dam-
age, Transmission Limp Home Mode is acti-
vated. 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 transmission.
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.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF
position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the
problem is no longer detected, the transmis-
sion will return to normal operation.
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CAUTION!(Continued)
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission
damage. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” and “Towing A Dis-
abled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” 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 opti-
mum 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, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing
heavy trailers), use the AutoStick shift control (if
equipped, 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 driv-
ing or trailer towing up long grades
on hot days, the automatic trans-
mission 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 trans-
mission damage due to overheating. If the high
speed is maintained, the overheating may reoc-
cur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
LOW (L) — If Equipped
Use this range for engine braking when de-
scending very steep grades. In this range, the
transmission will downshift for maximum engine
braking, and upshifts will occur only to prevent
engine overspeed.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick (Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission) — If Equipped
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, givingyou more control of the vehicle. AutoStick al-
lows you to maximize engine braking, eliminate
undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and im-
prove 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 gear selector is in the DRIVE position,
the transmission will operate automatically,
shifting between the six available gears. To
engage AutoStick, simply tap the gear selector
to the right or left (+/-) while in the DRIVE
position. Tapping (-) to enter AutoStick mode will
downshift 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 dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up
or down when the driver moves the gear selec-
tor to the right (+) or left (-), unless an engine
lugging or overspeed condition would result. It
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Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If
Equipped
This system maintains vehicle speed while de-
scending hills during off-road driving situations.
HDC will automatically apply the brakes to
control downhill speed to between 4 mph
(7 km/h) and 6 mph (9 km/h) depending on
terrain. The system is activated by placing the
vehicle in “Off-Road” mode and placing the gear
selector in LOW or REVERSE. Refer to “Off-
Road Driving Tips” in “Starting And Operating”
for further information.
When HDC is properly enabled,
the “Hill Decent Control Light” in
the instrument cluster will be
illuminated.
HDC has the capability to sense terrain and will
only activate when the vehicle is descending a
hill. It will not activate on level ground. If desired,
HDC can be fully deactivated by putting the
vehicle into ESC “Full Off” mode. This is done
by pushing and holding the “ESC Off” button for
five seconds. Refer to “Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC)” in this section of the manual.HDC operation can be overridden with brake
application to slow the vehicle down below the
HDC control speed. Conversely, if more speed
is desired during HDC control, the accelerator
pedal will increase vehicle speed like normal.
When either the brake or the accelerator is
released, HDC will control the vehicle back to
the original set speed.
HDC is only intended for low speed off-road
driving. At vehicle speeds above 31 mph (50
km/h), HDC will no longer function. If the “HDC
Indicator Light” begins to flash, this indicates
that the brakes are getting too hot and the
vehicle should be stopped to allow the brakes to
cool.
WARNING!
HDC is only intended to assist the driver in
controlling vehicle speed when descending
hills. The driver must remain attentive to the
driving conditions and is responsible for
maintaining a safe vehicle speed.
TIRES — GENERAL
INFORMATION
Tire PressureProper tire inflation pressure is essential to the
safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle.
Four primary areas are affected by improper tire
pressure:
•Safety and Vehicle Stability
•Economy
•Tread Wear
•Ride Comfort
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous
and can cause collisions.
•Underinflation increases tire flexing and
can result in overheating and tire failure.
(Continued)
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Towing TipsBefore setting out on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing the trailer in an area away
from heavy traffic.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer
towing, all starts must be in first gear to avoid
excessive clutch slippage.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing.
However, if frequent shifting or changes in
engine speed occur while in DRIVE, use the
AutoStick shift control to manually select a
lower gear ratio.
NOTE:
Using a lower gear ratio while operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, will
improve performance and extend transmis-
sion life by reducing excessive shifting and
heat buildup. This action will also provide
better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation, then
change the transmission fluid and filter asspecified for"police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing."Refer to the “Maintenance
Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
AutoStick
•When using the AutoStick shift control, select
the highest gear that allows for adequate
performance and avoids frequent downshifts.
For example, choose"4"if the desired speed
can be maintained. Choose"3"or"2"if
needed to maintain the desired speed.
•To prevent excess heat generation, avoid
continuous driving at high RPM. Reduce
vehicle speed as necessary to avoid ex-
tended driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and
road conditions allow.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
•Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
•When using the speed control, if you experi-
ence speed drops greater than 10 mph
(16 km/h), disengage until you can get back
to cruising speed.•Use speed control in flat terrain and with light
loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission
overheating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL and increase en-
gine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located
on the instrument panel below the climate
controls.
Push the switch to turn on the Hazard
Warning flasher. When the switch is
activated, all directional turn signals
will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic of
an emergency. Push the switch a second time
to turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it
should not be used when the vehicle is in
motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled and
it is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assis-
tance, the Hazard Warning flashers will con-
tinue to operate even though the ignition is
placed in the OFF position.
NOTE:
With extended use the Hazard Warning
flashers may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can
reduce the potential for overheating by taking
the appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the
transmission in NEUTRAL, but do not in-
crease engine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow
down an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it
off. The A/C system adds heat to the
engine cooling system and turning the
A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control
to maximum heat, the mode control to
floor and the blower control to high. This
allows the heater core to act as a supple-
ment to the radiator and aids in removing
heat from the engine cooling system.CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could dam-
age your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the
H(red) mark, the instrument cluster will
sound a chime. When safe, pull over and
stop the vehicle with the engine at idle. Turn
off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If
the pointer remains on theH(red) mark for
more than a minute, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from
your radiator. If you see or hear steam com-
ing from under the hood, do not open the
hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
227

WARNING!(Continued)
the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury. Only use the specific ground
point, do not use any other exposed metal
parts.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the
booster battery, let the engine idle a few
minutes, and then start the engine in the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
6. Once the engine is started, remove the
jumper cables in the reverse sequence:
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the negative(-)end of the
jumper cable from the engine ground of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative
(-)jumper cable from the negative(-)post of
the booster battery.3. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper
cable from the positive(+)post of the
booster battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive
(+)jumper cable from the positive(+)post of
the vehicle with the discharged battery.
5. Reinstall the air intake duct.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your
vehicle you should have the battery and charg-
ing system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s bat-
tery, even when not in use (i.e., cellular
devices, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough without engine operation, the vehi-
cle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to de-
grade battery life and/or prevent the engine
from starting.
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 RE-
VERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd
gear and REVERSE (with manual transmis-
sion), while gently pressing 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 engine 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.
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