[stargraph81]

Hello,
I just got a 2011 Jeep Patriot. With 67,000 miles on it. Love the car!
But I have noticed that I've been getting an average of about 15 mpg. I thought these 2.4L engines were about 20-30. Yes I've been using the AC for a bit, a little bit for the car sitting in a hot parking lot.
But I didn't think it would be this low. Are there areas Jeeps need special attention to with engine efficiency?
This was of course a used car, from CarMax. The fluids are all topped off and look bright. But should I just flush everything out anyways? Plus I haven't checked the air filter yet.
Plus, I've noticed the car pulls back just a bit after letting the foot off the gas. I know some cars have a feel like this, have you noticed this from the Patriot?

Thanks so much!
R

 

[harold]

oxygen sensor?

get any codes read

 

[Ignatz]

Something's wrong, but like you, I'm not sure what. My 2.4 runs consistently high 20s mpg and a hair over 30 on a long easy trip. I'm FWD so that gives me a mile or two better, and some 4wd packages have lower ratios which will negatively affect fuel economy. Still, you ought to be over 20mpg. Do a diagnostic -- something's wrong somewhere, but the good news is that it probably isn't an expensive fix.

 

[RossoRacer]

Check and make sure your spark plugs are good, for one. CVT fluid needs changed ASAP if nobody's done that to yours yet. A fluid drain/refill with both CVT filters being changed is always best. AMSoil if you can find it, otherwise Valvoline is more than sufficient(and about $57 from Amazon for a sixpack of quart bottles). Also make sure you're getting CVT fluid, not ATF or manual trans fluid. Pressure and temp are key in a CVT, and standard transmission fluid is too thin. However, if you have the 5-speed stick, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about on the transmission front. But if you have an "automatic", that's a CVT on all pre-2014 Patriot models and needs a little extra TLC. A Hayden 678 auxiliary transmission cooler can also help, as Chrysler doesn't always like to properly research stuff.

And that "pulling back" you feel when you let off the gas...that's a kind of an automatic engine brake feature. Most if not all Patriots have it, with more than just the CVT. Helps save fuel when slowing down and even saves your brakes a little.

 

[pahiker]

Are the tires properly inflated and are they OEM or aggressive offroad tires? An offroad tire with aggressive tread can cut fuel economy significantly.

 

[TrailBlazerZ71]

Do you have the normal 4x4 or an FD2? Cause with my '16 FD2 I get around 17-18mpg city.

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