After lurking here for awhile and posting some questions to help guide our decision, todaywe just brought home a new 2014 Patriot Sport in Mineral Grey, 4x4, manual, power value group and all weather group upgrades.
I had to pick it up in Bremerhaven Germany and drive back home to Belgium where I am currently stationed...about 400 miles. What a slog.
The car drove very nicely but I noticed a couple of things along the way:
1. The speedometer is on the left and the tachometer is on the right behind the steering wheel...anyone else think that seems backwards? my eyes seem to be trained to look to the right for my speedometer.
2. High beams can only be switched on if the headlights are switched to the on position but wont come on with the daytime running lights except if you pullback to put them on briefly...the nice thing about daytime running lights is you don't have to worry about shutting off the lights as they shut off with the car...but then you need to switch modes if you want your brights on...anyone know a way to override the daytime running lights if one does not want to drive with them on?
3. There is no flap at the top of the gas fill tube...I thought this was odd as all the vehicules I have ever owned or rented had a spring loaded flap at the top/mouth of the fill tube behind the gas cap that I assume is to block the hole to keep debris from entering...anyone else notice this? or is mine missing this flap?
4. The exhaust tip is cut at a funky angle instead of being cut as a flush circular tube.
5. There is a silver device mounted atop my air filter box with two leads connected to it...not sure what this is.
6. Is there a way to disconnect the shoulder belt for the middle rear passenger seat for when the seats are folded down? I could not figure out how to do this and did not see anything listed when I gave the owners manual a quick look.
7. I am hoping gas mileage improves as the engine breaks in.
8. The factory all-weather mats kinda suck.
9. Anyone else think the sideview mirrors on the 2014 seem kinda boxy looking?
The car is great otherwise and I was really impressed how well it drove. I was told to keep my speed no higher than 120 KPH for at least the first 500 miles so it sucked driving the car on the Autobahn and not being able to open the throttle. I am sure we will have other occasions as the German boarder is not too far away.
BTW...if I buy a mopar hitch receiver does it just bolt in place or does it need to be welded too?
Thanks to everyone who answered my past questions as we were shopping/deciding. I think we made a good choice and look forward to continued lurking with the hopes of being able to contribute at some point as the miles of experience with this vehicle rack up.
Cheers,
-Z
I had to pick it up in Bremerhaven Germany and drive back home to Belgium where I am currently stationed...about 400 miles. What a slog.
The car drove very nicely but I noticed a couple of things along the way:
1. The speedometer is on the left and the tachometer is on the right behind the steering wheel...anyone else think that seems backwards? my eyes seem to be trained to look to the right for my speedometer.
2. High beams can only be switched on if the headlights are switched to the on position but wont come on with the daytime running lights except if you pullback to put them on briefly...the nice thing about daytime running lights is you don't have to worry about shutting off the lights as they shut off with the car...but then you need to switch modes if you want your brights on...anyone know a way to override the daytime running lights if one does not want to drive with them on?
3. There is no flap at the top of the gas fill tube...I thought this was odd as all the vehicules I have ever owned or rented had a spring loaded flap at the top/mouth of the fill tube behind the gas cap that I assume is to block the hole to keep debris from entering...anyone else notice this? or is mine missing this flap?
4. The exhaust tip is cut at a funky angle instead of being cut as a flush circular tube.
5. There is a silver device mounted atop my air filter box with two leads connected to it...not sure what this is.
6. Is there a way to disconnect the shoulder belt for the middle rear passenger seat for when the seats are folded down? I could not figure out how to do this and did not see anything listed when I gave the owners manual a quick look.
7. I am hoping gas mileage improves as the engine breaks in.
8. The factory all-weather mats kinda suck.
9. Anyone else think the sideview mirrors on the 2014 seem kinda boxy looking?
The car is great otherwise and I was really impressed how well it drove. I was told to keep my speed no higher than 120 KPH for at least the first 500 miles so it sucked driving the car on the Autobahn and not being able to open the throttle. I am sure we will have other occasions as the German boarder is not too far away.
BTW...if I buy a mopar hitch receiver does it just bolt in place or does it need to be welded too?
Thanks to everyone who answered my past questions as we were shopping/deciding. I think we made a good choice and look forward to continued lurking with the hopes of being able to contribute at some point as the miles of experience with this vehicle rack up.
Cheers,
-Z
