JEEP PATRIOT 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Window Fogging
Vehicle side windows tend to fog on the inside in mild
rainy or humid weather. To clear the windows, set mode
to the mix or defrost position. Direct the panel outlets
toward the side windows. Do not use recirculate without
A/C for long periods as fogging may occur.
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by using the defrost position.
If the fogging problem persists, clean the inside window
surfaces. The cause of undue fogging may be dirt collect-
ing on the inside surface of the glass.
NOTE:In cold weather, the use of the recircu-
late position will cause windows to fog on the
inside because of moisture build up inside the
vehicle. Moisture and ice can also accumulate
on the inside of the sheet metal and may result inheadliner and/or electronic component damage. For
maximum defogging, press the recirculation button until
recirculate is off.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high-
quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corrosion
protection and to raise the boiling point of the coolant for
protection against overheating. A 50% concentration is
recommended.
Outside Air Intake
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, directly in front of the wind-
shield, is free of ice, slush, snow or other obstructions
such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air-intake plenum
may reduce air flow and plug the plenum water drains.
The blower air will heat faster in cold weather if you use
only a low blower speed for the first few minutes of
vehicle operation.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 249
4

Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is at each end of the
instrument panel. These nonadjustable outlets direct air
toward the side windows when the system is in either the
FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST mode. The air is directed at
the area of the windows through which you view the
outside mirrors.
250 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.................... 256
▫Manual Transmission — If Equipped....... 256
▫Automatic Transmission — If Equipped..... 256
▫Normal Starting..................... 256
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below20°F Or29°C)............... 257
▫If Engine Fails To Start................. 257
▫After Starting....................... 258Manual Transaxle — If Equipped........... 258
▫5–Speed Manual Transaxle.............. 258
▫Recommended Shift Speeds............. 260
▫Downshifting....................... 260
Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped......... 260
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System...... 261
▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System............................ 262
▫Gear Ranges........................ 262
5

AutoStick— If Equipped............... 264
▫Operation.......................... 264
▫General Information................... 265
Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 266
Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 266
▫Acceleration........................ 266
▫Traction........................... 267
Driving Through Water.................. 267
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 268
▫Shallow Standing Water................ 268
On-Road Driving Tips.................. 270
Off-Road Driving Tips.................. 270▫When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The
4WD Lock Lever Engaged.............. 271
▫Simultaneous Brake And Throttle
Operation.......................... 271
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand......... 271
▫Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points)............................ 273
▫Hill Climbing....................... 276
▫Driving Through Water................ 278
▫Airing Down For Off-Road Driving........ 281
▫Vehicle Recovery..................... 282
▫After Driving Off-Road................ 284
Power Steering........................ 286
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 286
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

Parking Brake........................ 287
Brake System......................... 289
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped.......................... 290
Electronic Brake Control System........... 292
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 292
▫Brake Assist System (BAS).............. 293
▫Traction Control System (TCS)........... 294
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).......... 294
▫Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . 295
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP)......... 296
Tire Safety Information.................. 300
▫Tire Markings....................... 300▫Tire Identification Number (TIN).......... 304
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 305
Tires — General Information.............. 309
▫Tire Pressure........................ 309
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................. 310
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 312
▫Radial Ply Tires...................... 312
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped........ 312
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped......... 313
▫Tire Spinning....................... 314
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 315
▫Life Of Tire......................... 315
▫Replacement Tires.................... 316
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5

Tire Chains.......................... 318
Snow Tires.......................... 318
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 318
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)..... 319
▫Base System........................ 322
▫Premium System — If Equipped.......... 324
▫General Information................... 328
Fuel Requirements..................... 328
▫Reformulated Gasoline................. 329
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 329
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 329
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 330
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 331▫Fuel System Cautions.................. 331
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 332
Adding Fuel......................... 332
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 332
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 334
Vehicle Loading....................... 335
▫Vehicle Certification Label.............. 335
Trailer Towing........................ 337
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 337
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 339
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 340
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer And Tongue Weight.............. 341
▫Towing Requirements................. 342
▫Towing Tips........................ 347Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................. 348
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)........................... 348
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
5

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift
lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
•The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
•If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is
locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve
pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the
key.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See Section 6
of this manual for jump-starting instructions.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below20°F Or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This
should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the
accelerator pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting” pro-
cedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
5

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE — IF EQUIPPED
5–Speed Manual Transaxle
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
258 STARTING AND OPERATING