stop start JEEP PATRIOT 2021 Owner handbook (in English)

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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WARNING!(Continued)
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key from the vehicle and lock
the vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allow-
ing children to be in a vehicle unattended
is dangerous for a number of reasons. A
child or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
gear selector.
•Do not leave the ignition key in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil-
dren). A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Before moving the gear selector out of
PARK, you must turn the ignition switch
from the LOCK/OFF position to the ON/
RUN position, and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear se-
lector could result.
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear
range, as this can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the transmission
into the PARK position:
•When shifting into PARK, firmly move the
gear selector all the way forward and to the
left until it stops and is fully seated.
•Look at the transmission gear position dis-
play and verify that it indicates the PARK
position (P).
•With brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward.
Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The
engine may be started in this range. Apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission into
PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off
the ignition to coast down a hill. These are
unsafe practices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions. You might
lose control of the vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for
any other reason with the transmission in
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175

will remain in the selected gear until another
upshift or downshift is chosen, except as de-
scribed below:
•The transmission will automatically upshift
when necessary to prevent engine over-
speed.
•The transmission will automatically downshift
as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine lug-
ging) and will display the current gear.
•The transmission will automatically downshift
to first gear when coming to a stop. After a
stop, the driver should manually upshift (+)
the transmission as the vehicle is
accelerated.
•You can start out, from a stop, in first or
second gear. Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow
starting in second gear. Starting out in sec-
ond gear can be helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
•If a requested downshift would cause the
engine to overspeed, that shift will not occur.
•Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is
engaged.•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable
when AutoStick is engaged.
•The system may revert to automatic shift
mode if a fault or overheat condition is
detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, hold the gear
selector to the right (+) until “D” is once again
displayed in the instrument cluster. You can shift
in or out of the AutoStick mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery surface. The drive wheels
could lose their grip and the vehicle could
skid, causing a collision or personal injury.
AutoStick (CVT) — If EquippedAutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing six manually selectable gear
ratios, giving you more control of the vehicle.
AutoStick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and down-shifts, and improve 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
NOTE:
AutoStick is not available until the CVT
warms up in cold weather.
When the gear selector is in the DRIVE position,
AutoStick is activated by moving the gear se-
lector side-to-side. Moving the gear selector to
the right (+) will activate AutoStick and shift up
to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are
already operating in or near Overdrive, in which
case sixth gear ratio will be selected. In like
manner, moving the gear selector to the left (-)
will activate AutoStick and shift to the next lower
manual ratio. The manually-selected gear will
be displayed in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up
or down when (+/-) is manually selected by the
driver, unless an engine lugging or overspeed
condition would result. It will remain in the
177

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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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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182

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.
187

Brake Assist System (BAS)The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s
braking capability during emergency braking
maneuvers. The system detects an emergency
braking situation by sensing the rate and
amount of brake application and then applies
optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS comple-
ments the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Apply-
ing the brakes very quickly results in the best
BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of the
system, you must apply continuous braking
pressure during the stopping sequence, (do not
“pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal
pressure unless braking is no longer desired.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle, nor can it increase the trac-
tion afforded by prevailing road conditions.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
BAS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. The capabilities of a BAS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner, which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)The HSA system is designed to mitigate roll
back from a complete stop while on an incline. If
the driver releases the brake while stopped on
an incline, HSA will continue to hold the brake
pressure for a short period. If the driver does not
apply the throttle before this time expires, the
system will release brake pressure and the
vehicle will roll down the hill as normal.
The following conditions must be met in order
for HSA to activate:
•The feature must be enabled.
•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 for-
ward gear; vehicle backing uphill is in RE-
VERSE 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 trans-
mission, 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 roll-
ing 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 respon-
sibility to be attentive to distance to other
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189

dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” (located in the instrument cluster) starts
to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the
ESC system becomes active. The “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to
flash during acceleration, ease up on the accel-
erator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be
sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
NOTE:
•The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the
“ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” come on momentarily each time
the ignition switch is placed in the ON/
RUN position.
•Each time the ignition is cycled to the
ON/RUN position, the ESC system will be
ON even if it was cycled off previously,
except for when the vehicle is started
while in 4L Range.•The ESC system will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when it is active. This is
normal; the sounds will stop when ESC
becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” in-
dicates the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) is partially off or full
off.
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)This system anticipates the potential for wheel
lift by monitoring the driver’s steering wheel
input and the speed of the vehicle. When ERM
determines that the rate of change of the steer-
ing wheel angle and vehicle’s speed are suffi-
cient to potentially cause wheel lift, it then
applies the appropriate brake and may also
reduce engine power to lessen the chance that
wheel lift will occur. ERM can only reduce the
chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or
evasive driving maneuvers; it cannot preventwheel lift due to other factors, such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway, or striking ob-
jects or other vehicles.
NOTE:
ERM is disabled anytime the ESC is in “Full
Off” mode (if equipped). Refer to “Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)” in this section for a
complete explanation of the available ESC
modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road
conditions and driving conditions, influence
the chance that wheel lift or rollover may
occur. ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or
roll overs, especially those that involve leav-
ing the roadway or striking objects or other
vehicles. The capabilities of an ERM-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
194

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.
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195

methanol/gasoline or E-85 ethanol blends are
not the responsibility of the manufacturer.
CAUTION!
Use of fuel with Ethanol content higher than
15% may result in engine malfunction, start-
ing and operating difficulties, and materials
degradation. These adverse effects could
result in permanent damage to your vehicle.
Clean Air GasolineMany gasolines are now being blended that
contribute to cleaner air, especially in those
areas where air pollution levels are high. These
new blends provide a cleaner burning fuel and
some are referred to as “reformulated gasoline.”
The manufacturer supports these efforts toward
cleaner air. You can help by using these blends
as they become available.
MMT In GasolineMMT is a manganese containing metallic addi-
tive that is blended into some gasoline to in-
crease octane. Gasoline blended with MMTprovides no performance advantage beyond
gasoline of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reduces
spark plug life and reduces emission system
performance in some vehicles. The manufac-
turer recommends that gasoline without MMT
be used in your vehicle. The MMT content of
gasoline may not be indicated on the gasoline
pump; therefore, you should ask your gasoline
retailer whether or not his/her gasoline contains
MMT.
Materials Added To FuelBesides using unleaded gasoline with the
proper octane rating, gasolines that contain
detergents, corrosion and stability additives are
recommended. Using gasolines that have these
additives will help improve fuel economy, re-
duce emissions, and maintain vehicle perfor-
mance.
Indiscriminate use of fuel system cleaning
agents should be avoided. Many of these ma-
terials intended for gum and varnish removal
may contain active solvents or similar ingredi-ents. These can harm fuel system gasket and
diaphragm materials.
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is
deadly. Follow the precautions below to pre-
vent carbon monoxide poisoning:
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless and odor-
less gas which can kill. Never run the
engine in a closed area, such as a garage,
and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for an extended period. If
the vehicle is stopped in an open area with
the engine running for more than a short
period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
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