2010 Jeep Patriot review
I get why people love their Jeeps: They're rough and tumble and go anywhere from a weekend at the beach to an extreme off-roading adventure. However, the 2010 Jeep Patriot feels cheap, sluggish and plastic-y, making it seem more like a toy Jeep than a real one (and not even a cute one like the miniature electric pink Barbie Jeep the neighbor girls have).
Upon starting the Patriot for the first time, I realized pretty quickly that this wasn't a toy electric Jeep. The rumbling engine actually made me wonder for a moment if my test Patriot had a diesel engine. Nope, no diesel, just a really loud cabin.
I was not only underwhelmed with the Patriot but actually annoyed by the continuously variable automatic transmission in it, which was part of the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package. It felt slow to get up and running from a stop, and if I tried to coax it to go any faster it would rev loudly as if to say, "The kids'll get to school when I'm damn well ready to get them there." Sheesh! On top of stressing about getting the kids out the door on time, I hated having my car bark at me every morning.
See also:
Engine Compartment — 3.6L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
2 — Battery
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Engine Oil Fill
5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
7 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
8 â ...
Spare Tire Stowage
To remove the spare tire from the carrier, remove the tire cover, if equipped,
and remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench turning them counterclockwise.
NOTE: If you have added aftermarket accesso ...
Rear Axle Fluid Level Check
The rear axle oil level needs to be between 1/8 in (3 mm)
below the bottom of the fill hole and the bottom of the fill
hole.
The rear axle fill and drain plugs should be tightened to
22 to 29 f ...