Jeep Patriot (2017 year). Manual

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.

Towing Condi-

tion

Wheels OFF
The Ground

Manual Trans-

mission

6-Speed Auto-

matic (FWD

Only)

6-Speed Auto-

matic 4WD

CVT Automatic

Transmission

Flat Tow

NONE

• Transmission

in NEUTRAL

• Key in ACC

or ON/RUN
position

If transmission

is operable:

• Transmission

in NEUTRAL

• 25 mph

(40 km/h)
max

speed

• 15 miles

(24 km) max
distance

If transmission

is operable:

• Transmission

in NEUTRAL

• 25 mph

(40 km/h)
max

speed

• 15 miles

(24 km) max
distance

NOT ALLOWED

Wheel Lift or

Dolly Tow

Rear

NOT ALLOWED

Front

FWD Models

ONLY

NOT ALLOWED

FWD Models

ONLY

Flatbed

ALL

BEST METHOD

272

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

With Ignition Key

Automatic Transmission

• Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with

the front wheels elevated, or on a flatbed truck (all four
wheels OFF the ground).

• Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles can be towed on a

flatbed truck (all four wheels OFF the ground).

If the transmission is operable, Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
and Four Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles, with the 6-speed
automatic transmission only ( NOT the Continuously
Variable automatic transmission [CVT]), may be flat towed
(with all four wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:

• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).

Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models (with 6-speed automatic
only

) may also be towed (under the same limitations

shown above) with the rear wheels elevated.

CAUTION!

• DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with a CVT

automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. If these vehicles require towing, make
sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.

• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-

ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty..

If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer to “Gear Selector
Override” in this section for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.

Manual Transmission

• Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

vehicles can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.

• FWD vehicles can be towed with the front wheels

elevated.

• FWD or 4WD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck

(all wheels OFF the ground).

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

273

CAUTION!

• DO NOT flat tow any disabled vehicle if condition is

related to the clutch, transmission or driveline. Ad-
ditional damage to the drivetrain could result.

• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-

ments can cause severe engine, transmission, or
drivetrain damage. Damage from improper towing is
not covered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.

All Transmissions

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defroster, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the transmis-
sion remains in NEUTRAL.

CAUTION!

• Do not use sling-type equipment when towing. Ve-

hicle damage may occur.

• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not

attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

Without The Ignition Key

Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed with
the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. The only approved
method of towing without the ignition key is with a flatbed
truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle.

ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)

This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.

Please refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air
Bags” in “Occupant Restraints” for further information on
the Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS) function.

EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.

Please refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) —
Air Bags” in “Occupant Restraints” for further information
on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).

274

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

SCHEDULED SERVICING

Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.

Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures will influence when the “Change
Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message is displayed.
Severe Operating Conditions can cause the change oil
message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km)
since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).

On instrument cluster display equipped vehicles, “Oil
Change Required” will be displayed in the cluster and a
single chime will sound, indicating that an oil change is
necessary.

On non-instrument cluster display equipped vehicles,
“Change Oil” will flash in the odometer and a single chime
will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Warning And
Indicator Lights” or “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Get-
ting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.

Severe Duty All Models

Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment or is
operated predominately at idle or only very low engine
RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

277

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:

• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual

wear or damage

• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake

master cylinder, power steering and fill as needed

• Check function of all interior and exterior lights

Maintenance Plan

Required Maintenance Intervals

Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” on the following pages for
the required maintenance intervals.

At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil

Change Indicator System:

• Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular

wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.

• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as

required.

• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and

park brake.

• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or

off-road conditions.

278

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Additional Inspections

Inspect the CV joints.

Inspect front suspension, boot seals. tie rod ends,
and replace if necessary.

Inspect brake linings, replace if necessary. Check
park brake function, adjust if necessary.

Additional Maintenance

Replace engine air cleaner filter.

Replace air conditioning/cabin air filter.

Replace spark plugs **

Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first.

Replace rear drive assembly (RDA) fluid.

Replace power transfer unit (PTU) fluid.

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if using
your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet,
or frequent trailer towing. (CVT only)

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

279

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.
(CVT only)

Change the automatic transmission fluid (six-speed
only) if you frequently drive: on rough or unpaved
roads, on mountain roads, on short trips, in heavy city
traffic during hot weather, or if you use the vehicle for
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.

Change the manual transmission fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, heavy
loading, taxi, police, delivery service (commercial ser-
vice), off-road, desert operation or more than 50% of
your driving is at sustained high speeds during hot
weather, above 90°F (32°C).

Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.

** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.

280

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Checking Oil Level

To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be
maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight. Checking
engine oil level when the engine is cold will give you an
incorrect reading.

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone which depicts the MIN at the
low end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
Adding 1 quart (1 liter) of oil when the reading is at the low
end of the indicated range will result in the oil level at the
full end of the indicator range.

CAUTION!

Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine will
cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil pressure
and an increase in oil temperature. This could damage

(Continued)

CAUTION! (Continued)

your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill cap is replaced
and tightened after adding oil.

Cooling System

WARNING!

• When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon-

nect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition switch to
the OFF position. The fan is temperature controlled
and can start at any time the ignition switch is in the
ON position.

• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine

coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming 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 is hot.

Coolant Checks

Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where appli-
cable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in
appearance, the system should be drained, flushed, and

284

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

refilled with fresh engine coolant (antifreeze). Check the
front of the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs,
leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a
garden hose vertically down the face of the condenser.

Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at the
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.

Adding Washer Fluid

The washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine com-
partment, and the fluid level should be checked at regular
intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield washer solvent
only (not radiator antifreeze).

When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take some
washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or towel and wipe clean
the wiper blades, this will help blade performance. To
prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system in
cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This rating
information can be found on most washer fluid containers.

WARNING!

Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around the
washer solution.

DEALER SERVICE

Your authorized dealer has the qualified service personnel,
special tools, and equipment to perform all service opera-
tions in an expert manner. Service Manuals are available
which include detailed service information for your ve-
hicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before attempting any
procedure yourself.

NOTE:

Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-

tems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.

WARNING!

You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a service
job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

285

Engine Oil

Change Engine Oil

The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” for further information.

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.

Engine Oil Selection

For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only rec-
ommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395.

American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol

This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American Pe-
troleum Institute (API). The manu-
facturer only recommends API Cer-
tified engine oils.

This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20,
0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 engine
oils.

CAUTION!

Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 2.0L, 2.4L
Engine

MOPAR SAE 5W-20 engine oil approved to FCA Material
Standard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil, Shell Helix or equiva-
lent is recommended for all operating temperatures. This
engine oil improves low temperature starting and vehicle
fuel economy.

286

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in this section.

Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certifi-
cation mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade number
should not be used.

Synthetic Engine Oils

You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.

Synthetic engine oils which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade
number should not be used.

Materials Added To Engine Oil

The manufacturer strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to the
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental additives.

Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters

Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service sta-
tion or governmental agency for advice on how and where
used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.

Engine Oil Filter

The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter at
every engine oil change.

Engine Oil Filter Selection

This manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type dispos-
able oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The
quality of replacement filters varies considerably. Only
high quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MOPAR engine oil filters are high quality oil filters
and are recommended.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

For best possible performance, your air conditioner should
be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer at the
start of each warm season. This service should include

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

287

Jeep Patriot (2017 year). Manual - part 18