Towing Tips - Jeep Patriot Manual

318 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips

Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping and
backing the trailer in an area away from heavy traffic.
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 potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, 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.