[hbmertz12]

Hey everyone!

After researching cars for awhile, I finally decided to pull the trigger on a used 2014 Patriot Latitude with 4WD under 25k miles. Despite the many bad reviews on the internet about the car, I'm loving it so far and have had no issues for the several weeks that I've owned it.

While I'm sure there's plenty of threads about this, I'd be curious to hear some tips and tricks you experienced owners can pass along to ensure I get the most out of my vehicle and can drive it for as long as possible.

I'm looking forward to finally becoming somewhat of a car guy and learning a lot through these forums. Thanks for any advice you can pass along!

 

[Ignatz]

Welcome to the forum!

Glad you didn't give in to the negative reviews. My 2008 Patriot is over 200,000 miles and running just fine. Only 2 major repairs, one was solved under warranty, the other was a wiring problem at 190,000. Liked the 2008 Patriot so much we got a 2014 for Wifey. Hers is in the mid-50,000 range now and nothing but oil changes.

As for tips, first the obvious: Do your scheduled maintenance.

Second: Any problems you may have are probably covered somewhere on this forum, so before spending big $$ on repairs, ask around here. Might be something simple.

Third: For a few extra bucks, have your dealer do the necessary scheduled maintanance, e.g. oil changes. If you are a familiar face, if/when problems happen you will get better care. Nothing wrong with a local station or a quick lube, but don't be a stranger to a dealer or the sales rep.

Finally, for best fuel economy, drive it easy. Fuel economy drops over 65MPH.

I'd also say you are better off with a small local dealership than the big huge ones who will never know who you are.

 

[hbmertz12]

Thanks for the tips! I definitely plan to take it easy, even on longer trips. I think that probably helps most cars in general and doesn't register to a lot of people that it's actually very important.

The negative reviews definitely made me second guess, but for the price point and the features it comes with, there's really nothing else on the market that is even comparable. Ultimately, my friend who has a 2010 helped me to make the purchase after explaining that his was submerged in water for about 45 minutes after driving off a ditch, and after getting taken to a shop he was told absolutely nothing was wrong with it. Hopefully that never happens to me, but I'm sure that speaks to it's durability.

 

[John Smeton]

The negative reviews definitely made me second guess, but for the price point and the features it comes with, there's really nothing else on the market that is even comparable.

Yeah some people that are owned by the magazines, and yes companies own them magazines and pay the magazines to write whatever the company tells the magazine to write or they stop paying them, just how laws are passed, we'll they re blinded by the light and going by what someone else has a profit to make.

The Jeep patriot is a great vehicle. Just because it cost less doesnt mean a thing, I understand in some cases costing less means less value, but for the patriot you re getting the best deal on this classic boxy suv look, roomy inside, great gas economy and a vehicle that seems durable and can last

As far as maintenance, Ignatz just about covered everything

anyone replace there spark plugs at 60 k? I ask bc owners manual says to and I havent seen anyone talking about that. Maybe its a given , I just never did it with my old vehcile I had for ten years but with this one I want it to run great

 

[griff]

anyone replace there spark plugs at 60 k? I ask bc owners manual says to and I havent seen anyone talking about that. Maybe its a given , I just never did it with my old vehcile I had for ten years but with this one I want it to run great

John, my 2012 says change the plugs at 32k miles or 24 months, whichever comes first.

32,000 Miles (52,000 km) or 24 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
32,000 miles (52 000 km).
❏ Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
❏ Replace the spark plugs.
❏ Replace the air conditioning filter.
❏ Adjust parking brake on vehicles equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary.

 

[Ptram]

Welcome--I have a 2015 and love the vehicle--drive it most places and I have a new Jeep Cherokee too, but love the way the Patriot is so easy to drive in town and yet drives great doing 70 mph on the Interstate. I don't have enough miles on mine to comment on any maintenance, but no problems so far with mine---just had it a little over a year.

 

[Ignatz]

anyone replace there spark plugs at 60 k? I ask bc owners manual says to and I havent seen anyone talking about that. Maybe its a given , I just never did it with my old vehcile I had for ten years but with this one I want it to run great

In the old days we had to remove, clean and re-gap the plugs every 10,000 miles. The plugs on most newer vehicles are good for 100,000 miles, but not so the Patriot. Patriot requires plug changing at 30,000 miles. Frankly I stretch mine to 35,000+ but certainly before 40,000. Not sure the reason, most seem to say that the plugs will seize if left in for a long time -- can't imagine why that would happen on a Patriot more than any other vehicle. I've also heard of the inner seal in the plug leaking and some blow-by. That seems farfetched, but some have reported it.

All things considered, changing the plugs is simple. For goodness sake don't spend money having someone else do it. It's as easy or easier than changing the oil (Hey, you don't have to jack it or get under it). There's a couple threads on here about it. http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/23-engine-trans-exhaust/36996-how-change-spark-plugs-mk.html
Also check youtube for how-to videos. Best to watch a couple because I've seen none that are perfect.

For tools, all you need is a torx screwdriver, a ratchet, a spark plug socket, and an extension long enough (6" should do it). You'll have to check the correct sizes. I use a torque wrench, but I'm a perfectionist.
Hints: When installing the new plugs, I use the coil pack itself to get it started, so I avoid cross-threading. Be sure to use anti-seize compound on the threads. Some people will use dielectric grease on the plug terminal, but I don't. I torque mine to spec but from what I've seen I'm one of the few that do.

 

[RossoRacer]

1. Watch the suspension, if something goes bad, replace with Moog. Chrysler isn't known for good suspensions.

2. Sunroof and liftgate window are known leak spot. Something about a drain hose, I think.

3. I swapped out my spark plugs after roughly 3 1/2 years, maybe 40k-45k miles in. Champion double-platinum, works pretty good. But, at 7 yrs and nearing 100k miles, I should probably check them soon, just in case.

4. CVT needs fluid/filter change every 60k miles or less for best chance of longevity. 5-spd is a bit more durable, but that type of tech has been in use longer. If you've got the 6-spd, congratulations. That's the Patriot equivalent of a front-engine Delorean.

5. Learn to say Jeep...not car. OIIIIIIIO

6. Somehow alot of people fail to realize this, but many Patriots have a flashlight in the rearmost dome, under the liftgate. Some don't, but it's worth checking to see if yours has it, in case you didn't already know about them.

7. Whether or not you plan to use the 4x4, it's a good idea to have a few "just in case" items in your vehicle...and it won't take up all that much space.
Small tool kit
First aid kit
Emergency triangle(or flare) 3-pack
Halotron(so you don't fry the electronics) fire extinguisher
Maybe a couple spare quarts of oil, jug of washer fluid, etc.
Recovery strap, rated for 5,000 pounds or better(Patriot weighs ~3200, helps to be safe)
Jumper cables

Of course none of us want you to have to use any of that stuff, but it's worth considering the investment in such things.

 

[dmill89]

The plugs on most newer vehicles are good for 100,000 miles, but not so the Patriot. Patriot requires plug changing at 30,000 miles. Frankly I stretch mine to 35,000+ but certainly before 40,000. Not sure the reason, most seem to say that the plugs will seize if left in for a long time -- can't imagine why that would happen on a Patriot more than any other vehicle. I've also heard of the inner seal in the plug leaking and some blow-by. That seems farfetched, but some have reported it.

All things considered, changing the plugs is simple.

3. I swapped out my spark plugs after roughly 3 1/2 years, maybe 40k-45k miles in. Champion double-platinum, works pretty good. But, at 7 yrs and nearing 100k miles, I should probably check them soon, just in case.

The main reason the plugs in the Patriot needs the plugs changed at 30k mi is the fact that it is one of the very few vehicles that still comes from the factory with copper plugs which have a much shorter lifespan than the platinum and iridium plugs that have become commonplace in the last decade or two. If you replace them with platinum or iridium plugs they should last much longer, but the plugs on the Patriot are easy to access/replace, and the higher cost of platinum/iridium plugs means that any cost savings of longer lasting plugs will be minimal unless you are paying someone to install them, and as Ignatz mentioned plugs seizing in the head if left in for a long period of time is a possibility (though the Patriot is no more susceptible to this than any vehicle with an aluminum head), though many manufactures (NGK and others) use coatings on the threads to help prevent this and anti-seize works well to prevent this as well.

 

[evanxweatherford]

I got a problem with the abs and traction light that come on randomly

 

[Sandstone]

I got a problem with the abs and traction light that come on randomly

Sometimes it's a wheel speed sensor either failing or has come loose, but it could be something else, like a wheel hub / bad wheel bearing.

Get a code reader and pull the codes to get a better idea of what's wrong.

If you don't have one a local auto parts store might read the codes for you for free.

 

[wgbllb]

Hey everyone!

After researching cars for awhile, I finally decided to pull the trigger on a used 2014 Patriot Latitude with 4WD under 25k miles. Despite the many bad reviews on the internet about the car, I'm loving it so far and have had no issues for the several weeks that I've owned it.

While I'm sure there's plenty of threads about this, I'd be curious to hear some tips and tricks you experienced owners can pass along to ensure I get the most out of my vehicle and can drive it for as long as possible.

I'm looking forward to finally becoming somewhat of a car guy and learning a lot through these forums. Thanks for any advice you can pass along!

I read a lot of vehicle reviews and I don't think there is any vehicle out there with a wider gap between owner reviews and "expert" reviews than the Patriot. My advice to any Patriot owner with a sunroof is to regularly snake the drain passages with flexible wire or weed- whacker line to prevent blockages and then leaks. Had a couple of the notorious waterfalls out of the front interior light but I haven't had one since I started cleaning out the drain passages every 4-6 months. If you wait until they are clogged they can be difficult to unclog.