Tires - General Information; Tire Pressure - Jeep Patriot 2011 Operating Information Manual

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
accelerator and apply as little throttle as pos-
sible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving
to the prevailing road conditions.
NOTE:
• The "ESC Activation/Malfunction Indica-
tor Light" and the "ESC OFF Indicator
Light" come on momentarily each time
the ignition switch is turned ON.
• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the
ESC system will be ON even if it was
turned off previously.
• 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.
162
The "ESC OFF Indicator Light" in-
dicates the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) is off.
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION

Tire Pressure

Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the
safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle.
Three primary areas are affected by improper
tire pressure:
Safety
WARNING!
• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and
can cause collisions.
• Under-inflation increases tire flexing and
can result in over-heating and tire failure.
• Over-inflation reduces a tire's ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and
chuckholes can cause damage that result
in tire failure.
WARNING! (Continued)
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems. You could lose control of your
vehicle.
• Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can af-
fect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the
vehicle to the other can cause the vehicle
to drift to the right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven
wear patterns to develop across the tire tread.
These abnormal wear patterns will reduce
tread life resulting in a need for earlier tire
replacement. Under-inflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel
consumption.
Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable
ride. Over-inflation produces a jarring and un-
(Continued)
comfortable ride.