I had my dealer apply the CVT TSB today and it really is noticeable. The Pat is more responsive to the throttle off the line and seems like it is revving a little lower at cruising speeds. My Avg MPG indicator was ticking up while driving down some back roads about 45-55mph. I can't wait to put in a fresh tank of gas. I recommend everyone get this TSB done that has a Pat made before April 21st. Here's the link again: http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/Caliber/TSB/Caliber_1803107.pdf

Is good to know.

I just print it out the service bulletin just in case, when I get my patriot and will come with the same problem i know what to do. :smiley_thumbs_up:

It may not be a bad idea to have the TSB done even if your Patriot has a later build date. Some, for example, have had trouble with the FDII not performing up to expectations (Dawson for example) and the TSB fixed the problem. The TSB proceedure checks the make amd model and re-flashes the computers with the appropriate latest version of software.

This being my first new car, I know absolutely nothing about TSBs...

Do they charge you? If my car was on the lot for a while, is there any chance this was already done? Is there a timeframe it should be done by?

I had it done by the dealer during the regular oil change. The didn't charge me any extra, but I guess it depends upon the dealer. It only takes a few extra minutes. They can probably do it while the old oil is draining. I wouldn't think there is any real time limit on when it gets done.

If I get an 08, it should be already done, right?

I should hope so.

They better not charge you. They are legally obligated to perform any TSB's free of charge. I just printed it off and took it in and said do this.

I had it done and didn't really notice any change.

Cheers,
Jim

I had mine done. I haven,t seen any MPG improvement, but the engine has a little more connected to the wheel feeling. Before it seemed to be reving more that it was puttint to the ground. Kind of like a slipping trans.

This being my first new car, I know absolutely nothing about TSBs...?

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin. They are intended to help the service techs resolve known problems and not meant for the general public. The dealer should perform the recommended procedures during routine service and will usually do so without your knowledge. Think of it as a recall without the letter asking you to bring the car in for service. Suppose you are bouncing through the pine barrens when all of a sudden all four wheels fall off. You eventually get it dragged back to the dealer where, after a week of troubleshooting, they conclude the factory forgot to put lug nuts on the wheels. They then generate a TSB telling all the mechanics in the known universe to check for lug nuts on all cars serviced. Without TSBs we would have all these mechanics wasting an average of a week each troubleshooting the same problem.:doh:

I just had mine done yesterday afternoon and build date is 5/07. So if you have a later build date I would still get it checked out!! I think it made a great improvement! I punched and it broke the tires loose for a sec and it wouldn't do it before!!! So I am glad that I got it checked out!! I will see if it makes a difference on MPG hope it does!!

Does anyone have a more definitive answer on the unbuilt 08's then? I test drove an 07 and then ordered an 08. Can I expect more performance from my vehicle than the tester when I get it?

Did you order the CVT off-road or non-off road package? The new non-off road has the autostick as part of it. I don't think the off-road has any changes, however the computer system for the transmission has undergone some improvements since the 07's first came out.

Did you order the CVT off-road or non-off road package? The new non-off road has the autostick as part of it. I don't think the off-road has any changes, however the computer system for the transmission has undergone some improvements since the 07's first came out.
:banana:
DID I READ YOU CORRECTLY
--the 2008 models too have auto-sick trans
is this correct my 08 order is
4x2 cvvt 2.4 will it have auto-stick I hope it will -------
:)I love it on my other car.:banana:

Anyone hear anything on the 08's here? I ordered a 4x4 with auto trans, FD I. Autostick? CVT TSB reprogram already done? My dealer was a bit shaky on the differences offered as standard in the 08 that were not in the 07, even as I ordered it. All I am aware of is interior fabric Yes essentials is standard (and darker shade of slate gray) and the tow package now includes a full size spare. Anyone have more info? Why won't Jeep update thier site so we can "build" 08's?

I had my dealer apply the CVT TSB today and it really is noticeable. The Pat is more responsive to the throttle off the line and seems like it is revving a little lower at cruising speeds. My Avg MPG indicator was ticking up while driving down some back roads about 45-55mph. I can't wait to put in a fresh tank of gas. I recommend everyone get this TSB done that has a Pat made before April 21st. Here's the link again: http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/Caliber/TSB/Caliber_1803107.pdf

Cool, I wish I could find an official site from Chrysler in which where they would post these up for consumers. Fat chance!

I had the TSB applied to my Patriot yesterday. Mine is a January '07 build.

Wow. What a diffference.

You know how it is when you stomp on the throttle and the RPMs shoot to 6K and hold there as the car accelerates? You get that revving without really feeling like you are accelerating as fast as the engine sounds might make you think? With the new programming, the Patriot pulls steadily through the RPM range, eventually getting up to around 5500 but by that time the vehicle is already doing 80.

Off the line acceleration has improved dramatically!

If you think you might be affected by this TSB, tell the service people first that you have the ticking noise and feel the car is sluggish, then tell them about the TSB.

I told them about the TSB first and asked them to apply it, but they sort of hedged about it. They asked me if my car had these symptoms and I said I didn't know because it's always performed the same way and how would I know if could be better. This went on for a while, me asking them to do it, them asking why I wanted it done... I eventually said "Do I need to say my car has these issues to get you to flash my drivetrain controller?"

"Well...", she replied.

"Yes, My car is ticking and I feel it is too sluggish."

Bingo. I was in.

She said the customer has to make a formal complaint before the TSB can be applied in order for Chrysler to pay for the reflash. In other words, people could be dropping by to have every single TSB applied to their cars without having the issue that it addresses. Chrysler won't allow that.

So, if you think this TSB applies to you, complain about the performance first and then show them the TSB. :D

I recommend everyone get this TSB done that has a Pat made before April 21st. Here's the link again: http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/Caliber/TSB/Caliber_1803107.pdf

Where is the information that says when my patriot was built. I have been looking everywhere?

A couple of posts here talk about the build date:
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1597

I am not sure if the tag on the door jam shows the date the build was started, completed, or part way through, Several people have noticed improvements in performance after having the TSB done even though the "build date" of their vehicle was after April.

During the actual application of the TSB, the update software checks the VIN number from the car's internal data to determine what version to install, it also checks to see if the latest version is already installed, so even if the car is already up-to-date there is no problem.

jeepgee,

I went to cars.com and built a 4x2 and the autostick was indicated as being with the transmission. So I think you're gunna get what you want!:smiley_thumbs_up:

A couple of posts here talk about the build date:
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1597

I am not sure if the tag on the door jam shows the date the build was started, completed, or part way through, Several people have noticed improvements in performance after having the TSB done even though the "build date" of their vehicle was after April.


Thanks for the reply. I did check the door jam and did find a sticker that said manufacture date " 7-07" I just bought my jeep 2 week ago. Is that to say my jeep was probably one of the last few '07's in production before the '08's began being built?

OK, I just had the TSB performed on my 07 Patriot that I bought a week ago Thursday. Then the dealer checked the firmware for the CVT, even though it was late production, and it needed the update. They told me that regardless of when the final assembly is done on the Patriot, the need for the TSB is based on the date the CVT was built. So there may be 08's that need the update. I would advise asking about the TSB when you take delivery. It helps to include the TSB number 18-031-07.

I can report that the CVT has a much better throttle response after the update. There isn't the lag / stumble when starting from a stop. Also I found that it didn't tended to "Seek" the ratio (I know that the CVT doens't have gears) as much. The most important change was at 65 mph on the freeway, the engine is 1000 rpm less than before. Using the same stretch of I-75 here in MI, I set the cruise control to 65 to get an exact difference of Before TSB vs. After TSB.

Before the engine would be at 3000 rpm at 65 mph.

After the update to the CVT the engine was steady at 2000 rpm at 65 mph.

This tells me that before the trans-axle was updated it was never reaching the final drive ratio of 3.91:1 at that highway speed. (I don't have the FDII).

I can say (IMHO) that the highway performance and mileage is better. The engine seems to have to rev less and the CVT doesn't hunt for the optimal ratio as much. When I punch it the CVT allows the engine to rev quickly and it accelerates very well for a 4 cyl. The Patriot is by no means a rocket but it does seem to perform better. I would say the the difference in highway rpm has to translate to better mileage. Maybe this is one reason why some aren't getting the advertised MPG.

I personally didn't think there was an issue with the CVT before, but since the dealer flagged my Patriot for the update I let them perform the procedure. It took about 15 min and didn't cost me a dime. They even bought me Lunch off the Gut Truck / Roach Coach (how nice!, really!). I love Golling Jeep here in Michigan!

~Mike R~

Thanks, that was a very informative and helpful report. VERY helpful!

So what is the build date cut off where the update is needed?

So what is the build date cut off where the update is needed?

Same thing that I am trying to figure out.

The build date of the Patriot doesn't really indicate if you need to have the TSB or not (nor the VIN for that matter). The reason is because Chrysler bought the CVT's in bulk from the supplier. The date of build of the CVT transaxle doesn't always match the assembly / build date of the Patriot. From what the dealer told me there are CVT's being put into 08 Patriots that were actually built in 07. These are carry-over parts. This is why it's important for them to check the Patriot by physically connecting to the CAN Bus with the Diag. tool. Using the VIN to check the need for a TSB isn't enought. This is what the service manager at Golling told me. When they hook up to the CAN Bus they can see the version of Firmware the CVT is using. If it needs updated then they flash it.

On my Patriot, a VIN lookup didn't indicate the need for the TSB update. However the service manager double checked by scanning the CAN Bus because they have seen this issue many times before (big dealer, lots of Patriot, Compass, Caliber's sold). The scan verified that my Patriot indeed needed to be updated.

I don't think it's life or death in this issue to get it completed ASAP. I wouldn't go in to the dealer just for the TSB update. I would wait until an oil change. The only reason my Patriot got the CVT TSB update was because they had it in for installation of accessories I ordered.

~Mike R~

If I put the pedal down a quarter of the way or so, I get up to about 20-30 MPH, and the car begins to feel "jerky"? If I apply more throttle, the feeling goes away, but I am having to gradually increase throttle until the car gets up to speed.

Not a "hesitation" per se...feels more like it's running out of gas or something. Is that the way most of you would describe the feeling while driving before you got the TSB done, a hesitation while at consistent throttle?

Dealer told me that I didn't need to have the TSB done, my Pat was a newer build date. If it's the build date of the transmission that matters though, maybe they've got a stack of 'em in crates at the factory. Could have gotten an older one.

I did the jerky thing also before the TSB. I noticed it most when I "let" off the gas during a prolonged period of highway speed. It went away after the TSB.

I am willing to bet that the Dealer is using the VIN lookup as an excuse not to have a technician charge labor for the update. From what my service manager said they have to connect to the CAN Bus to know 100% for sure. Looking up the VIN in their PC's doesn't cut it. You can do the same thing (looking up TSB's by VIN) on the Jeep website.

http://www.jeep.com/en/owners/

Just put in your VIN in the "Recalls" area in the lower left of the page. It's called Recalls but the search engine also looks for TSB's.

BTW, There is nothing wrong with Jeep buying parts in bulk (boring FYI stuff here). It allows them to get a better price on parts which hopefully is passed on to us in the form of a lower price tag. I think the only time this tends to "Burn" the company is when there is a recal or a running change needed. Then someone has to collect those surplus parts for whatever update is needed. As for this TSB, it is software so the "standard" procedure is to flash update in the field. Eventually if there are enough customer complaints about the problem, Jeep will start doing the TSB update when "normal" maintence is done. There are a lot of TSB's that are completed without your knowledge. Usually (unless the service dep tells you) it only appears on the service invoice as a "update" with some type of labor charge.

Since 08's are just now being delivered to lots there will probably be only a few remaing Patriots that need the update. I am just suprised that this is not completed at the plant during assebly. I bet there was a bean counter somewhere that did a cost-benifit calculation and felt that in-service updates were the way to go.

Hope I haven't bored everyone to death. My wife is a Mechanical Engineer and she used to work for a Chrysler supplier so I have an inside idea of how this stuff happens.

~Mike R~

Well, just some advice to keep you from wasting a trip. Down in California visiting, and thought I'd stop by a dealership to get this quick reprogram done.

Don't bother wasting your time going to the Jeep Dealership in Garden Grove. Walked into the service department at about 1130 this morning, and every mechanic was sitting in the break room eating takeout. Looked like a company party or something.

The service bay was EMPTY, I mean empty...there were 1 or 2 cars in the front covered parking.

One of the guys sighed and put his sammich down, then came out to see what I needed. Told him the Pat was sluggish and a person I know told me there was a TSB for reprogramming the trans. He said I'd have to drop it off and he might be able to get to it by Wednesday. "It's a holiday, man". It takes me 4 hours to get an oil change done. We need to check it out and we'll call you probably Wednesday.

They needed my Jeep for a week to reprogram a chip?

Tried Huntington Beach Jeep, and they were much nicer about it, but gave me some story about their computer being broken today.

What do these service guys make an hour? Wish I could sit on my butt eating while turning away customers and still get paid...

Sheesh.

I'm 0 for 2 for cali dealerships. There's two (each 45minutes away in opposite directions) that I will be heading for once my free oil changes are done. Hope to have better luck there..

Yeah, just tried 2 more this afternoon. None of the dealerships seem to want to do this work. I'll cut 'em some slack because of the weekend, but it's getting kind of ridiculous...not too thrilled with Jeep's service departments so far. I only put up with garbage like this for so long. Only reason I didn't buy a Nismo Frontier is because the dealership in Saint George is populated by A-holes.

Jeepgirl: Make sure you call first. You'd be amazed how many of these critical computers just don't seem to be working at the service departments.