Like the Patriot (other than the small fuel tank) in now over 16000 km of driving (10000 miles) have had few issues. One minor annoying thing that I haven't seen posted is that I get hot air blowing out on fan/"no heat" (ie temperature turned all the way down in blue zone) setting on a 60 degree (15 C) day but only when 4X4 ing/crawlin' along.

Seems there is no/little insulation between engine/firewall and heating ductwork and with heat build up at super slow speeds, normally cool outside area becomes superheated. I just turn the fan off completely now when crawlin' along but it means I have to open windows (OK if not dusty) or use A/C. Anyone else notice this? I get nice cool air on the same days at highway speed on same fan/heat settings.

Yes I have!! I think it is because the secondary fan kicks it when u is in crawl mode! So it pushes all the heat to the cab!! That is my guess! Someone else might have some more info on this!

I have had the same thing happen. I simply turned off the a/c, rolled down the window and got a blast of dust to my face. I guess all in all, true Jeep fashion.

I was SHOCKED,SHOCKED when I tried out the A/C and got that blast of hot air. Turned out the problem was me. Our Toyota Camry only needs you to turn the temp control all the way to cool and turn on the fan to get the A/C to work. The Patriot also requires you to push the little snowflake labeled button to get the A/C going.:doh:

I have noticed that the vent air blows hot when I am off-road after a short time. The engine is working and there is not much air flow at 6mph. I think that is why. If I turn on the air conditioning there is no problem. It is just the vent air. I just roll down the windows.

The condenser fan seems to be inadequate for generating enough air flow to properly pull heat from the AC system in low speed situations. All AC systems function better when moving because of the additional air that moves across the condenser to help pull heat out.

Condenser function: Hot (high pressure) gas enters from the A/C line. The cooling fins extract the heat from the gas. As heat is removed the refrigerant condenses to form liquid R134a and is then sent back into the AC system to continue to cool the air

Maybe when one of you are out crawling around in the woods – check to see if the A/C fan is on? I bet adding more airflow will improve the situation

Well the problem can get worse. I have been combatting this using A/C on so that it evens out the hot air coming in. Well if you get in the weeds and plug up your radiator fins, you will just get hot and hot. Unlike old jeeps, the patriot radiator is not that easy to get at to clean . . .

A/C is always on in defrost mode, I usually set it to the window/leg setting when driving on the not so hot days.....