2021 JEEP PATRIOT traction control

•AutoStick (CVT) — If Equipped.....................177•FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . . . .178
•ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........179
•OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS..........................179
•When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4WD Lock Lever Engaged —
If Equipped..................................179
•Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand.....................180
•Hill Climbing.................................181
•Driving Through Water...........................182
•After Driving Off-Road...........................183
•POWER STEERING . . . . . . . . . .....................184•Power Steering Fluid Check.......................184•PARKING BRAKE . ..............................185
•BRAKE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..............186
•ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . ......187
•Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)...............187
•Brake System Warning Light.......................187
•Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)......................187
•Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light......................188
•Brake Assist System (BAS)........................189
•Hill Start Assist (HSA)...........................189
•Traction Control System (TCS)......................191
•Electronic Stability Control (ESC)....................191
•Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).....................194
•Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped...............195
•TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195•Tire Pressure................................195
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NOTE:
Refer to “Electronic Brake Control System/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in “Start-
ing And Operating” for further information.
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance
and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing in a wide variety of off-road applica-
tions. Specific design characteristics give them
a higher center of gravity than ordinary vehicles.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is
a better view of the road, allowing you to
anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform sat-
isfactorily in off-road conditions. If at all pos-
sible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
You will encounter many types of terrain driving
off-road. You should be familiar with the terrain
and area before proceeding. There are many
types of surface conditions: hard packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice.
Every surface has a different effect on your
vehicle’s steering, handling and traction. Con-
trolling your vehicle is one of the keys to suc-
cessful off-road driving, so always keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel and maintain a good
driving posture. Avoid sudden accelerations,
turns or braking. In most cases there are no
road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights.
Therefore you will need to use your own good
judgment on what is safe and what is not. When
on a trail, you should always be looking ahead
for surface obstacles and changes in terrain.
The key is to plan your future driving route while
remembering what you are currently driving
over.CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or
other combustible materials. The heat from
your vehicle exhaust system could cause a
fire.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie
down cargo. Unsecured cargo can become
projectiles in an off-road situation.
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.
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This will allow you to cross over obstacles and
descend hills, with improved control and less
effort.
NOTE:
For maximum off-road performance, pre-
mium fuel is recommended. While the ve-
hicle 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 SandThere 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 acceler-
ate 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 head-way. 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"bite"and help maintain your
momentum.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at
high engine RPM’s or vehicle speeds be-
cause engine braking 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 pose an in-
creased threat of vehicle damage and getting
stuck. They are normally full of debris fromprevious vehicles getting stuck. As a good prac-
tice before entering any mud hole, get out and
determine how deep it is, if there are any hidden
obstacles and if the vehicle can be safely recov-
ered if stuck.
Sand
Soft sand is very difficult to travel through with
full tire pressure. When crossing soft sandy
spots in a trail maintain your vehicle’s momen-
tum and do not stop. The key to driving in soft
sand is using the appropriate tire pressure,
accelerating slowly, avoiding abrupt maneuvers
and maintaining the vehicle’s momentum. If you
are going to be driving on large soft sandy areas
or dunes, reduce your tire pressure to a mini-
mum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a greater
tire surface area. You should use low (L Off-
Road [if equipped] ) with the 4WD LOCK en-
gaged and ESC turned off. Reduced tire pres-
sure will drastically improve your traction and
handling, while driving on the soft sand, but you
must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on pavement or other hard sur-
faces. Be sure you have a way to reinflate the
tires prior to reducing the pressure.
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CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressures may cause tire un-
seating and total loss of air pressure. To
reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a
reduced tire pressure, reduce your speed
and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Hill ClimbingHill climbing requires good judgment and a
good understanding of your abilities and your
vehicle’s limitations. Hills can cause serious
problems. Some are just too steep to climb and
should not be attempted. You should always
feel confident with the vehicle and your abilities.
You should always climb hills straight up and
down. Never attempt to climb a hill on an angle.
Before Climbing A Steep Hill
As you approach a hill consider its grade or
steepness. Determine if it is too steep. Look to
see what the traction is on the hill side trail. Is
the trail straight up and down? What is on top
and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks,
branches or other obstacles on the path? Can
you safely recover the vehicle if something goeswrong? If everything looks good and you feel
confident, then you should use low (L Off-Road
[if equipped]) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and
proceed with caution maintaining your momen-
tum as you climb the hill.
Driving Up Hill
Once you have determined your ability to pro-
ceed 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 accel-
erator and maintain headway by turning the
steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly
back and forth. This will provide a fresh"bite"
into the surface and will usually provide enough
traction to complete the climb. If you do not
make it to the top, place the vehicle in RE-VERSE 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 controlled 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 braking to control the descent and
apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow
the tires to lock.
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WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL.
Use vehicle brakes in conjunction with en-
gine braking. Descending a grade too fast
could cause you to lose control and be
seriously injured or killed.
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 pos-
sibilities 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 rollover, 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 cometo 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 WaterExtreme 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 abilities 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 with a constant slow
speed (3-5 mph [5–8 km/h] maximum) and light
throttle. Keep the vehicle moving; do not try to
accelerate through the crossing. After crossing
any water higher than the bottom of the axle
differentials, you should inspect all of the ve-
hicle fluids for signs of water ingestion.
CAUTION!
Water ingestion into the transaxle, transfer
case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if
you drive too fast or through too deep of
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WARNING!(Continued)
your vehicle harder to control. You could
have a collision. Have the vehicle checked
immediately.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE
CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced
Electronic Brake Control system (EBC). This
system includes Electronic Brake Force Distri-
bution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist
(HSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Elec-
tronic Stability Control (ESC), and Electronic
Roll Mitigation (ERM). These systems work
together to enhance both vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.
Your vehicle may also be equipped with Hill
Descent Control (HDC).
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD)
This function manages the distribution of the
braking torque between the front and rear axles
by limiting braking pressure to the rear axle.
This is done to prevent overslip of the rear
wheels to avoid vehicle instability, and to pre-
vent the rear axle from entering ABS before the
front axle.
Brake System Warning LightThe red “Brake System Warning Light” will turn
on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and may stay on for as long as four
seconds.
If the “Brake System Warning Light” remains on
or comes on while driving, it indicates that the
brake system is not functioning properly and
that immediate service is required. If the “Brake
System Warning Light” does not come on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position,
have the light repaired as soon as possible.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides
increased vehicle stability and brake perfor-
mance under most braking conditions. The sys-
tem automatically prevents wheel lock, and
enhances vehicle control during braking.
The ABS performs a self-check cycle to ensure
that the ABS is working properly each time the
vehicle is started and driven. During this self-
check, you may hear a slight clicking sound as
well as some related motor noises.
ABS is activated during braking when the sys-
tem detects one or more wheels begins to lock.
Road conditions such as ice, snow, gravel,
bumps, railroad tracks, loose debris, or panic
stops may increase the likelihood of ABS acti-
vation(s).
You also may experience the following when
ABS activates:
•The ABS motor noise (it may continue to run
for a short time after the stop).
•The clicking sound of solenoid valves.
•Brake pedal pulsations.
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four times within twenty seconds. The “ESC
Off Indicator Light” should turn on and turn
off two times.
7. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and
then an additional slighty more than one-half
turn to the right.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position
and then back to the ON position. If the
sequence was completed properly, the “ESC
Off Indicator Light” will blink several times to
confirm HSA is disabled.
9. Repeat these steps if you want to return this
feature to its previous setting.
Traction Control System (TCS)This system monitors the amount of wheel spin
of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is
detected, the TCS may apply brake pressure to
the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduce engine
power to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS, Brake Limited
Differential (BLD), functions similar to a limited
slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a drivenaxle is spinning faster than the other, the sys-
tem will apply the brake of the spinning wheel.
This will allow more engine torque to be applied
to the wheel that is not spinning. BLD may
remain enabled even if TCS and ESC are in a
reduced mode.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)This system enhances directional control and
stability of the vehicle under various driving
conditions. ESC corrects for over-steering or
under-steering of the vehicle by applying the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the over-steering or under-
steering condition. Engine power may also be
reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired
path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to deter-
mine the vehicle path intended by the driver and
compares it to the actual path of the vehicle.
When the actual path does not match the
intended path, ESC applies the brake of the
appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the
over-steer or under-steer condition
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more
than appropriate for the steering wheel posi-
tion.•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less
than appropriate for the steering wheel
position.
WARNING!
•The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can-
not prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it
increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions.
•ESC cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent
collisions resulting from loss of vehicle
control due to inappropriate driver input for
the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent collisions.
(Continued)
191

WARNING!(Continued)
•The capabilities of an ESC-equipped ve-
hicle must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of
others
•Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly
maintain your vehicle, may change the
handling characteristics of your vehicle,
and may negatively affect the performance
of the ESC system. Changes to the steer-
ing system, suspension, braking system,
tire type and size or wheel size may ad-
versely affect ESC performance. Improp-
erly inflated and unevenly worn tires may
also degrade ESC performance. Any ve-
hicle modification or poor vehicle mainte-
nance that reduces the effectiveness of the
ESC system can increase the risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, per-
sonal injury and death.ESC Operating Modes
The ESC system has three available operating
modes for four–wheel drive equipped vehicles
and two available operating modes for two–
wheel drive equipped vehicles.
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 sys-
tem will be in this “On” mode. This mode should
be used for most driving situations. 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 sec-
tion, has been disabled, and the"ESC 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 morewheel 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 driv-
ing 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 func-
tionality of ESC (except for the limited slip
feature described in the TCS section) has
been disabled and the “ESC Off Indicator
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192