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Can I take the Patriot offroad?

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DMAG

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
With the Patriot's release, the most common question is, Can it go offroad? With its car-based platform, it does have it limits, but the YES...you can take the Patriot offroad.

From the press release:

“The Jeep Patriot’s available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package uses all-new Jeep 4x4 technology to achieve Trail Rated capability” said Larry Lyons, Vice President—Front-wheel-drive Product Team. “This innovative four-wheel-drive technology, developed by Jeep engineers, provides many of the benefits of a traditional transfer case without the additional weight.”
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Well, What is the difference between Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II?

Again, from the official press release:

Jeep Patriot will be available in three drive configurations: front-wheel drive, Freedom Drive I (a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode) and Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package (a full-time, active 4x4 system with low range that provides true Jeep 4x4 Trail Rated capability).

Freedom Drive I is designed to give drivers year-round assurance, as well as the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel-drive system is recommended for daily use, including driving in snow and rain. Freedom Drive I features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to handle deeper snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces.

The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is an available four-wheel-drive system that makes the Jeep Patriot a Trail Rated 4x4, creating the most capable vehicle in the crowded compact SUV class. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle with a low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, air-filtration system, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and seat-height adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended for true off-road situations that include steep grades, wheel lift and rock or log climbing.

The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package includes the CVT2L’s best-in-class 19:1 low ratio, which is ideal for crawling over obstacles. Off-Road Brake Traction Control maintains forward mobility during heavy articulation or on split-friction surfaces where one wheel loses traction. Hill Descent Control modulates brake hydraulic pressure without driver intervention for downhill assistance at a safe and controlled rate of speed. Three-mode ESP and off-road anti-lock brakes (ABS) also add to the Patriot’s off-road capability.

Jeep Patriot SUVs equipped with the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package sit 1 inch higher than non-Trail Rated versions and meet Jeep off-road capability requirements for traction, water fording, articulation, maneuverability and ground clearance, including 9 inches of ground clearance, a 29-degree approach angle, a 33-degree departure angle and a 23-degree breakover angle. This version of the Patriot also has additional body sealing and high-mounted drivetrain vents to support 19-inch water fording capability. The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot’s body and chassis were developed and tested over numerous rugged off-road terrains to meet the requirements of the enthusiast Jeep customer.
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Of course, when owners get them out on the trails, we will all get a better idea of their capabilites.
 
#2 ·
There's a couple "Easy" rated trails here near Albuquerque that I'd like to try... but I have a 4x4 Sport with Freedom Drive I... but I do have the 17" tires. So I don't know. It could probably handle it, but I'm a little nervous.
 
#6 ·
Sitaratis said:
There's a couple "Easy" rated trails here near Albuquerque that I'd like to try... but I have a 4x4 Sport with Freedom Drive I... but I do have the 17" tires. So I don't know. It could probably handle it, but I'm a little nervous.
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Can you please post the details into these trails near Alburquerque. I am in Texas and I wouldn't mind going to check them out. PM if you want with the details. Thanks.
 
#7 ·
I need only site my pictures as proof that the Patriot FDII is trail capable. Check them out, or visit the off-road pic thread at http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1107

I think you'll be surprised at what the Patriot will do off road. Since this was my first 4x4, I had no expectations other than to be able to get out there and explore. I have not been disappointed in that.
 
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#8 ·
Dawson said:
I need only site my pictures as proof that the Patriot FDII is trail capable. Check them out, or visit the off-road pic thread at http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1107

I think you'll be surprised at what the Patriot will do off road. Since this was my first 4x4, I had no expectations other than to be able to get out there and explore. I have not been disappointed in that.
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I will be getting the same setup as you. Just wondering if you would tell me wht your mpg is getting?
 
#9 ·
DJ XS I can't speak for Dawson but my FDII w/ crawl ratio has begun to average 23mpg city and HWY. I've over 5400 miles on my Pat and just returned to FL from a Vermont road trip. I actually got 26mpg in VT going through all the mountains around Stowe (absolutely beautiful country). I was very impressed. The only off roading I did was on two feet (Hiked Mt. Mansfield, Pinnicle and Hunger Mtns. words and pictures just can't do the views justice).
 
#10 ·
AMCNUT said:
DJ XS I can't speak for Dawson but my FDII w/ crawl ratio has begun to average 23mpg city and HWY. I've over 5400 miles on my Pat and just returned to FL from a Vermont road trip. I actually got 26mpg in VT going through all the mountains around Stowe
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At first were you getting way less? I am kind of concerned because although I just filled it up and have gone 109 miles I am reaching half a tank. This is not indicative of what it should get. I know I have to wait to finish the entire tank to get a good reading of total mpg, but I am wondering what you or any other person with 4x4 FDII w/Trail Rated gets per tank.


P.S I only have 400 miles on it so far, but have only put on 100 of them. They had to bring in the patriot from out of town and drove it down.
 
#11 ·
Hi DJ XS,

I don't have my Patriot yet, but from visiting this forum I see there are a few things about the Patriot that you need to be aware of when figuring out your mileage. First of all, the tank is really small at 13.5 gallons. If you are running a trail-rated Pat you should average between 20 and 24 mpg, from the figures I'm seeing, once the engine has been broken in. This gives you a range of 270 to 324 miles. My 11 year old Subaru Outback has a larger tank, but about the same gas mileage as the trail-rated Patriot, so the Patriot will need to visit the gas station more often. This can give you a feeling that the car is eating up more gas. I see from AMCNUT that his trail-rated Patriot actually averaged 26 mpg at one point. I think that's really great mileage for this package. One other item I saw was that folks were saying that you should change over to Mobile 1 synthetic oil after the car has done it's first 3000 mile oil change. That should get an additional 1mpg on average use. I think I will be doing that myself.

Good luck!
 
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#12 ·
Hey DJ,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It's hard to keep up with this forum with the number of posts made each day...

I now have 5300+ miles on my Patriot since we bought it Memorial Day weekend. I rely on the EVIC system for my mileage and for the first few weeks I cross-referenced it by manually calculating the mileage. The EVIC was spot on in my case. At this time, after the 2-3k mile break-in period when the computer burns more fuel, I am averaging 21.5 MPG in my average daily driving. This consists of half/half street and highway, but some of the highway time is spent creeping at 15MPH. I have had a couple opportunities to take it long-distance; most recently to New Mexico, a six hour drive. On the way out I averaged about 23 MPG for 10City/30Mountain (mostly up)/60 Flat High-Plains. On the way back I had it up to 25.4 with 60 Flat/30 Mountain (mostly down)/10 City (creeping at 10-20 MPH). I was very impressed! In two weeks, we will be taking a 22hr straight road trip back to MI. I expect to get between 25-27 MPG. We'll see and I'll let you know.

Honestly, I'm not sure how much you'll really notice changing oil and getting +1 MPG, but I have talked to a guy that drilled an extra hole in his Liberty's air-box and installed a tube to the grill. He now gets +4 MPG. I may try this, just have to watch water fording.

There are so many variables in MPG. And the Patriot does really well under 70 MPH. Not to sound rich or anything, but I've stopped paying attention to fuel prices and MPG for the most part. It's just an expense that I've come to expect. After all, gotta get to work, and GOTTA go off-roading! Besides, 22 MPG is better than my girl's 18 from her Blazer...

Where you at anyway?
 
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#13 ·
DJ XS
The first several tanks of gas I got only about 19-20 mpg. Speed certainly matters the further north I went the lower the speed limits. In Vermont I seldom exceeded 50mph on the two lane mountain roads. That's where I got the best mpg.
 
#14 ·
I have done a few trails around Albuquerque with my new Patriot FDII. This weekend I did the Cedro Peak trail. It was fun, and challenging in a few places. My Patriot did great. I was very surprised by the clearance. There was one slick rock area that was tough and I had to go up on three tires to get over. Once I found the right approach to keep traction the Patriot plowed up. I am very impressed with the Patriot. I passed a few ATVs on the trail and they seemed amused to see my shiny new Jeep getting all dirty. It was great.
 
#15 ·
The Cedro Peak Trail
The Cedro Peak Trail is only about 10 minutes from our house--how convenient! Located in the heart of the Cibola National Forest, the trailhead is just off of NM Hwy 337 (a.k.a. South 14), a few miles south of I-40 and the Village of Tijeras. At 0.8 miles past the Sandia Ranger Station, turn left on Chamisoso Canyon Rd. The entrance to the trail is at 0.7 miles on the right, between the two "Road Closed Ahead" signs. Ranging in elevation from approximately 6,300 feet to over 7,500 feet, the trail takes you through the southern most part of the Sandia Mountains and circles Cedro Peak (which is around 7,800 feet in elevation). The trail consists mostly of dirt/gravel roads, portions of which contain small rocks (less than 6 inches to 8 inches in diameter). Between Waypoints CP04 and CP05, off to the right, is "The Hill", a steep descent into Chamisoso Canyon and the climb back up. Then at Waypoint CP22, there's a set of 3 "steps" (each approximately 12 inches to 18 inches tall) off to the side of the trail. Neither of these obstacles are on the main trail; they just provide for a little "fun" on the side. The trail is just over 8 miles long and takes approximately 3 hours or so to complete.
 
#20 ·
I finally took the Patriot off-roading today for the first time. This vehicle is most certainly worthy to be called a JEEP and to carry the TRAIL RATED badge! I met up with a great group of JEEP owners from the Mid-Florida Jeep Club. We headed off to Hardrock Cycle Park in Ocala, FL. It's an old quarry with many STEEP hills. I had the only Pat in the group and none of them had seen one in action (including myself). They all had TJ's, a few heavily modified, most lifted w/ bigger tires. I had the only stock JEEP there. We all became increasingly impressed with the abilities of the PAT. As the climbs and descents got steeper the PAT rose to every challange I made evey hill on the first try. I simply pointed the pat at the hill and floored it till I crested the top. The PAT never got stuck, or hung up. I used the skid plates to their fullest potential. This was a great experience and I think the Pat made some new fans. This JEEP is awesome! I have some video's and pic's and as soon as i figure out how to post them I will. So my fellow Patriot owners hold your heads high you own a TRUE JEEP capable of some very impressive feats!!!!!
 
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