automatic transmission fluid JEEP PATRIOT 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Towing Tips — Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to the “Main-
tenance Schedule” in Section 8 for transmission fluid
change intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience 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.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce the potential for engine and transmission
overheating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
328 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or is unidentified as to specification,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transaxle.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
NOTE:Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Use
only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid which has been formulated with special metal to
metal friction coefficient additives to provide the proper
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 373
7

steel belt traction on the drive and driven pulleys. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts” for correct
fluid type.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid will cause belt slip and
result in a complete transmission failure! Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” for correct
fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked only by a trained technician.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the correct change interval.
Special Additives
Do not add any materials (other than leak detection dyes)
to Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT) Fluid
(CVTF+4). CVTF+4 is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
under Section 8.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more that 3/16 in (4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mile-
age are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the manual transmission fluid if using your vehicle
for any of the following: trailer towing, snow plowing,
heavy loading, taxi, police, delivery service (commercial
service), off-road, desert operation or more then 50% of
your driving is at sustained high speeds during hot
weather, above 90°F (32°C).48,000 80 000 48
Change Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) fluid. 60,000 100 000 60
Change Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid. 60,000 100 000 60
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if using
your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet or
frequent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.† 90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter. 120,000 200 000 120
Replace Accessory Drive Belt(s). 120,000 200 000 120
404 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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