Also. Does anyone know about how much of the dipstick goes in to touch the pan. I got just under 21”. Just want to make sure I’m reaching the pan and not getting hung up somewhere.

 

IDK what chart you have, but maybe the print date of the chart is 2011?

In any case, below is the chart from the Jeep CVT service training manual (2007), and another from the 2014 service manual. Levels look pretty much the same to me.

 

Before buying that longer dipstick I used the dipstick of my mercedes. Works fine.
You can use any dipstick that's long enough to reach to the bottom (pretty much every other dipstick than the one from the Patriot,)

 

Thanks guys! Sandstone, the 2nd chart you posted is basically the same as what came with my doorman. Thank you.
I’m just being over cautious with this. It is the second transmission. I do my own maintenance and just want to be aware, knowledgeable on fluids.

 

Thanks guys! Sandstone, the 2nd chart you posted is basically the same as what came with my doorman. Thank you.
I’m just being over cautious with this. It is the second transmission. I do my own maintenance and just want to be aware, knowledgeable on fluids.

Hi Sandstone. I was at a salvage yard and grabbed an old either engine or transmission dipstick. On the 2010 Patriots, the filler tube is rather short. I've read both sides of this topic. People who swear by these CVT Trans and those of us who've ended up on an expensive ride ( no pun intended ). It's like Rack & Pinion Steering. I've never had that until 4 years ago. So with like 46 years of driving and owning different vehicles, I am still running into these old but new to me situations.
I don't want to bring up bad news but how did your 1st trans go out. There's tons of people who haven't experienced the Jeep CVT Trans issue yet. Thanks for sharing Sandstone...

 

Hi Danmax,

Still on the original trans, drove it to the mountains yesterday for lunch and back. Did great, no issues and trans temp stayed around 186F or so.

Maybe you're thinking of Ignatz?

 

That is possible. Ya know, I hear people getting 250k out of these Patriots, then I hear people who've replaced their trans twice. I just think the wiring Jeep uses is cheap junk. Most of my issues are tied to corroded grounds, corroded harness plug-ends & so on. I might have to swing by a Jeep dealership and ask them if the 2010 Patriots have adjustable shifter cables. I have to hold the shifter back at least till I get up to 35-40 mph. The last filter just came in yesterday so this Tuesday I'll drain the trans and replace the filter & that filter/screen that is located on the bottom after the pan is removed. My wife said it was whining one time she was driving it. Plus she came home and said she had to drive 25 mph because it was making a lot of noise. So I asked her to go for a ride with me to see if the sound came back, or was present during our drive. What happened was she accidently bumped the shifter & it went into ''Manual Shift''. As she watched me shifting it, she said ''I thought it was always supposed to be in D 1..... Evidentially trying to drive over 35 mph while it's in 1st gear during manual shift is sorta loud and as I said to her, ''One of the easiest ways to ruin this CVT Transmission....

 

Danmax. I think you are thinking of my 1st transmission. I don’t know why it went, but it was at around 95k miles. Like everyone on here says...change the fluid and filters at 60k. Even though the manual says 150k. That probably could have helped me a lot in longevity. When I did have it replaced the transmission shop , who I totally trust and has a great rep , said that he’s seen a bunch of the jacto CVT s failing and actually had two others on his bench at the time.
Now, for an update on my dipstick question. I went to my transmission shop to have him check and show me how to, the transmission fluid. My dorman dipstick is all good. I wasn’t sure before because I was getting NO reading on it. Turns out I was down around a quart and a half. we topped it off and I am to check it out after some driving to double check the level. I was short on time and we couldn’t get a good reading because the fluid had not settled down the dipstick tub and was making it hard to see proper. We we’re pretty sure we got it though. Funny thing is, I’ve probably been driving (166miles daily, mon-fri) like that for a while. So, not that I want that to happen again, I am impressed that the transmission ran smooth , never over heated or slipped for probably a good 4 or so months... if not longer, that low.
ALSO! I want to say thank you to Sandstone for all your help!!!! So appreciated!!!

 

You're welcome Skip, glad to hear things are working out.