This thread is really old: http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/5-...general-discussion/2605-patriot-vin-decoder-gives-sequence-numbers-meaning.html. It says the sixth position of the VIN is the transmission code, but Patriots didn't have the 6-spd auto when that thread was active.

There are VIN decoder websites but I have no idea how reliable they are.

I'd suggest asking a Jeep dealer.

You might be able to tell when descending a hill with cruise control on. The cruise control will try to hold you back by downshifting. With a conventional automatic you should feel the downshifts; with a CVT probably not -- the engine will just rev higher.

 

The only way I know is to get the build sheet from jeep using the vin number


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Here is a link to thread that explains how to get the build sheet. How to get your original build sheet
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...27337&url=http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327337&share_type=t


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2007-2013 all CVT or stick shift
2014-2017 2.4L autostick all conventional
P-R-N-D-L is CVT for all years
2.0L engine will have CVT or manual

Colonel_Reb has a build sheet debating that last tidbit, though there is some question about it on the Jeep Patriot Around the World facebook group(yes, I mentioned it on there as an update to the transmission identification sheet....you're welcome to look it up). All the knowledge we have of Patriot transmission options points to 2.0L not having a conventional automatic available....though I'm wondering if it was a lightly-used option for 2014-2015.

As for not wanting a CVT, it's a good smooth transmission that can work well for you if you give it a chance. Ya just need to keep the fluid changed at 60k mile intervals(or less, with Valvoline or AMSoil CVT fluid...NOT ATF). An auxiliary transmission cooler may also be a wise investment, especially in southern climates....your only post so far doesn't mention where you live. I waited until 82k miles to change my CVT fluid, and that lapse in proper maintenance resulted in me having to shell out $2500 all told for a replacement transmission and some labor. But, there's also many cases of CVT transmissions lasting well beyond 130k with proper maintenance. Yes, there's cases of dealers throwing CVT after CVT into a Patriot that won't stop "transmission whining"...you yourself said dealers don't know anything anymore....those cases were probably actually faulty AC units, which make the same whining noise when they go out...much cheaper than a transmission, as I understand it.

Your call of course, I just wanna help reassure you that if it is a CVT, it's probably not a bad deal, especially in the last two years of an eleven-year run. Your daughter may even like the way the CVT drives...I got used to mine very easily, and work very well with it.

 

2007-2013 all CVT or stick shift
2014-2017 2.4L autostick all conventional
P-R-N-D-L is CVT for all years
2.0L engine will have CVT or manual

Colonel_Reb has a build sheet debating that last tidbit, though there is some question about it on the Jeep Patriot Around the World facebook group(yes, I mentioned it on there as an update to the transmission identification sheet....you're welcome to look it up). All the knowledge we have of Patriot transmission options points to 2.0L not having a conventional automatic available....though I'm wondering if it was a lightly-used option for 2014-2015.

As for not wanting a CVT, it's a good smooth transmission that can work well for you if you give it a chance. Ya just need to keep the fluid changed at 60k mile intervals(or less, with Valvoline or AMSoil CVT fluid...NOT ATF). An auxiliary transmission cooler may also be a wise investment, especially in southern climates....your only post so far doesn't mention where you live. I waited until 82k miles to change my CVT fluid, and that lapse in proper maintenance resulted in me having to shell out $2500 all told for a replacement transmission and some labor. But, there's also many cases of CVT transmissions lasting well beyond 130k with proper maintenance. Yes, there's cases of dealers throwing CVT after CVT into a Patriot that won't stop "transmission whining"...you yourself said dealers don't know anything anymore....those cases were probably actually faulty AC units, which make the same whining noise when they go out...much cheaper than a transmission, as I understand it.

Your call of course, I just wanna help reassure you that if it is a CVT, it's probably not a bad deal, especially in the last two years of an eleven-year run. Your daughter may even like the way the CVT drives...I got used to mine very easily, and work very well with it.

Well my experience with a 2008 Patriot was the fourth transmission was needed when I scapped it at 300000KMS.

 

Interesting... Thank you for the advice so far. I went to the link for the build info and entered in the VIN of a 2016 2.4 4x4 I looked at on Friday. When I looked at the car on Friday their ad said the car was "6 speed Automatic" but the salesman said it was a CVT... I questioned that, and the service manager came out and insisted it was CVT. That VIN entry on the site you recommend reveals this info:
- 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
- AutoStick (R) Automatic Transmission
- 2.4L I4 DOHC 16V Dual VVT Engine

Is there any chance that the CVT is also considered a "6-Speed Automatic?" I am amazed at how confusing this is! Am I the only one that really cares what gearbox is in the car I buy?

Regarding my location - I am in California.... hot weather! I'd rather be somewhere else, but this is where my job is! )

I must admit, the Patriot is a charming little SUV, but I feel like I need a secret decoder ring to figure out what I am getting!!!

Many thanks to all.
Tom

 

I went to the link for the build info and entered in the VIN of a 2016 2.4 4x4 I looked at on Friday. When I looked at the car on Friday their ad said the car was "6 speed Automatic" but the salesman said it was a CVT.

All 2016 2.4l 4x4's are 6-speed auto, EXCEPT the FDII trail rated model which has a CVT.

The trail-rated models are easy to spot, just look for the trail-rated badge on the drivers side front fender, tow hooks, and the words "Off Road" on the shift console.

 

Yes, there are some who will confuse a CVT with a 6-speed automatic because if you use auto-stick the indicator will progress through 1-2-3-4-5-6 each time you nudge the lever. In fact these number only indicate the belt position on a CVT, but I suppose it could be called a 6-speed as opposed to a 6-gear automatic. Obscure distinction I realize, but one can drive at different speeds in the same gear, or the same speed in different gears. Really, a conventional automatic should be called a 6-GEAR automatic, but don't look for the terminology to change any time soon.

Getting back to your original question, another clue to what transmission you've got might be to watch the tachometer. Driving my CVT on a level road above 50MPH, the RPMs will drop when I shift from 6 to D or rise when I shift from D to 6: the CVT is effectively a 7-speed.

As I posted above, when descending a hill with cruise control, you will feel the gear changes with an automatic. You will not feel the changes with a CVT because there are not gears to change. All you will notice is the tachometer will gradually rise in proportion to the steepness of the descent.

 

A final(?) word: Don't be frightened by a CVT. Lots of companies install them besides Chrysler, notably Honda, Hyundai and Nissan. Most are not troublesome. In fact Jeep CVTs are a made by Jatco and they supply a great many automakers. You can read the wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatco

In my years of driving I've had four conventional automatics that needed rebuilding or replacement under 70,000 miles (Olds Cutlass, Buick Century, Buick Electra, Olds Bravada). I've also had one automatic that died just shy of 250,000 miles, so no complaints there.

Both my CVTs have survived over 100,000, my latest making it to 160,000. I much prefer the performance of the CVT (autostick), particularly in snow and on hilly country in any weather.

Living in New England I'm up against those conditions most everywhere and most of the time. Even RI has hills, and in NH snow is a possibility from Labor Day to Memorial Day. It will be hard for me to go back to a conventional automatic.

No matter what tranny you get, 1) it will wear out, and 2) you're at the mercy of the previous owner's driving style and maintenance habits. Maybe check the presets on the radio:

• Heavy rock stations = irresponsible kids;
• Country stations = DIYers;
• Classical stations = responsible adults with money for proper maintenance.

That might tell you all you need to know.

 

tomp, you are not alone regarding the confusion. When I was investigating a fluid change last summer, one Dodge-Jeep dealer service advisor insisted that my 2014 was a CVT regardless of the build sheet showing 6-speed automatic transmission. He actually said "It shows 6 speed automatic transmission, but it is really a CVT". There was also confusion (on their part) regarding correct fluid to use. Try to find a CVT window sticker and compare. You are wise to be diligent about this.

 

How about looking at the transmission dip stick. Unless they've changed it, dip stick with fill marks on it for 6spd, cap only for cvt?

 

I've had two Patriots, my '08 with the CVT and my '16 with the 6 speed. I really can't tell any performance differences, and I never had any trouble with my CVT in 140K miles, except for the $300+ fluid/filter change.

I think the way to tell which you have is to do a full throttle acceleration, if it's the CVT, the engine will go immediately to red line or about and then the rpm will back down without any indication of a shift. It takes a little getting used to the first couple of times as it "seems" that something may be wrong--as it's not normal to regular transmissions.

I think you'll be happy with either mode, but get either checked out before you buy--perhaps include the fluid/filter change in a CVT model, that way the fluid can be analyzed for wear particles in the fluid.

Good luck!

 

My "Equipment listing" says I have *Continuously Variable Transaxle II and AutoStick (R) Automatic Transmission is this what's considered a "CVT"? It also lists "6.2 additional gallons of gas" what does that mean?

 

In your case, nordraw, yes. CVT="Continuously Variable Transmission". 2007 was just labeled CVT when all had the low range. 2008-2017 had CVT2 or CVT2L to differentiate between autostick and FD2 models. The additional 6.2 gallons.....maybe they charged you for the gas that was in the tank at the time of sale? Idk.

 

All CVTs are automatics, but not all automatics are CVT. Really, 'automatic' means 'no clutch.'

Yes to Treegrower, Dealers don't always know without careful inspection. My dealer just assumed my FWD was AWD. Service writer actually went out an looked at it to be sure. Nope, no rear diff! I guess everyone else in NH needs AWD? We've got 2 FWD Patriots. We get home every night . . . then again we didn't venture out today (blizzard). If we had to go out the old Wrangler would probably get the nod.

 

I'm kinda worried now that I know my vehicle has FD2. I'm worried that if I take it into the dealership for maintenance, they'll not know how to deal with it or just assume it's like the regular models.

The 6.2 gallons is listed on the equipment list because that's what they filled it up with to get the tank full, which means yours was used or test-driven by others. Mine got a full tank of gas, a new set of tires, and a new battery installed.

 

Wow. This is simple brilliance! I'll see if I can download an owners manual and see if i can locate where the trans dipstick should be. I'll trust that CVT is cap only (can anyone confirm that?) and traditional automatic has a dipstick. Also, if all 2.4 non-trail-rated 4x4 models are traditional automatic, then I can focus my search on that model. That piece of data also confirms that the dealer I visited last Friday was dead wrong when they said the vehicle i was looking at was CVT! Great conversation everyone - thank you so much. Tom

 

I'll trust that CVT is cap only (can anyone confirm that?) and traditional automatic has a dipstick. Also, if all 2.4 non-trail-rated 4x4 models are traditional automatic, then I can focus my search on that model. That piece of data also confirms that the dealer I visited last Friday was dead wrong when they said the vehicle i was looking at was CVT! Great conversation everyone - thank you so much. Tom

AFAIK the 6 speed AT doesn't come with a dipstick either, as the factory fluid was intended to be a "lifetime" fill.

For reference, I'll borrow from a previous post from Treegrower:

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/15...orum/15-engine-drivetrain/130161-2014-6-speed-auto-transmission.html#post537273

"My only gripe is that there is no tranny dipstick and DIY fluid/filter maintenance may be a challenge. I loath the idea of lifetime fluid.....it is simply a marketing tool for low maintenance and does not contribute to long tranny life."

Amen.

 

Okay, I stand corrected. I haven't seen my '16 since the end of January. I let my daughter borrow it while I was working on her '10 Suzuki Kizashi, and I haven't really seen it since. Her awd Kizashi has the same Jatco cvt that the patriot was using, but it has a dipstick to check the fluid. Apparently, I incorrectly thought it was the newer jeep that had it. Next time I see it, I'll check. I hope it's soon, it ready for an oil change.

 

Jeeper81, if you don't wanna trust CVT maintenance to your dealer, but have a space to work in and don't mind getting your hands dirty, you can change the CVT fluid yourself. There's threads on the topic here and in JPATW on facebook. Seems from stories here they'd just assume it's a CVT anyways though....but I don't blame ya for being worried about dealer knowledge. https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a30505/new-car-service/

Tomp, there's a Haynes manual for the Patriot now. Just released last week. And you'll only find the 6-spd conventional on 2014+ models, mostly on 2.4L autostick where it was the only automatic option for that time frame. All 2007-2013 were either CVT or manual. Check my earlier post in this thread. My CVT didn't come with a dipstick, just a notorious-for-breaking filler tube labeled "CVT fluid only". Not everybody's breaks, but the replacements are easy enough to find, and I think the problem is less common in later years.

Bwpakk, don't worry, the Patriot does at least have an engine oil dipstick for sure....just not a transmission fluid dipstick.

 

RossoRacer, can you confirm with certainty that the 2014+ 2.4L vehicles that had automatics were only traditional automatics and not CVTs? If i can verify that, then I will simply make sure I buy a 2016 2.4L. Then my problem will be solved - thanks to the knowledge of this forum! Tom

 

Yes, again, with the exception of the trail rated model.

"New for 2014 A six-speed automatic transmission is newly available. Additionally, side-impact airbags for the front seats are now standard."
https://www.cars.com/research/jeep-patriot-2014/whats-new/

"2014 Jeep Patriot and Compass ditch CVT for six-speed auto"
https://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/2014-jeep-patriot-and-compass-ditch-cvt-for-six-speed-auto/

"A new six-speed automatic transmission helps the 2014 Jeep Patriot take on urban errands and weekend adventures with a little more smoothness and quiet than before."
https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/jeep_patriot_2014

 

Without a dipstick, how does the owner know if its leaking? My CVT had a leak that my dealer spotted and fixed under the lifetime warranty. However, IDK how much fluid was lost before the leak was noticed and the gasket was replaced. Maybe that's why my CVT died at 170,000. Sure they refilled it, but might a low fluid level before that have permitted premature wear? I have no idea how long it was low . . . because I couldn't check it!!! We wouldn't run our engines low on oil, but we have a dipstick to check. IMO, anything with a reservoir ought to have a means of checking its level. Heck, we can even check our w/s/w reservoir! Why not something important like transmission fluid? Anything with a seal is going to leak sooner or later.

IMHO there ought to be a recall to install dipsticks.

I once had a 1929 Hupmobile and that had a little floating gizmo on a long wire that went down a long hole into the crankcase. I could push down on the wire and figure how much oil I had by how much the float was floating. Clever, huh? And that was 90 years ago. Ya'd think today's engineers could come up with something as simple. Instead they'd probably have a computer program with an electronic sensor! OK, LOL, but . . . it beats having no way to tell until a $4000 unit fails.

 

Yeah I found that it means they put an extra 6.2 gallons of gas more than they normally do. Don't know why.

 

The sales people at the dealerships are useless when it comes to having technical details. Personally I think you have already answered your question when you linked to the build sheet. A 6 speed auto should be a traditional auto trans unit. If it is a CVT it will say CVT. Here is the build sheet info for my Patriot's trans:

Cont.Var. w/Off-Rd Crawl Ratio Trans

 

The CVT is an absolute piece of garbage, making sure to get the traditional 6 speed transmission is a MUST when buying a Patriot.

I junked our 07 because of its capitalistic CVT but we've missed the car. We're actually considering picking up a '14 or '15 as long as we can find one with a 6 speed auto.

 

Hey now, just because you had a bad experience doesn't mean it's always bad. You just admitted yourself to having a 2007. That's just before the infamous "cash for clunkers", when Chrysler was still reeling itself out of bankruptcy, desperately trying to put a good econobox together so they could still meet some fleet standard law so they could still sell Wranglers, albeit 90% of them not actually Wranglers because they had 4 doors rather than 2. But that's a story for another time. The first year or three of ANY new automotive design is going to have problems. Early Chevy K1500 3-door models leaked. Early Cherokars caught fire from that 9-spd that everybody oozes praise for with no good reason. There's more I'm sure, but I don't know them all.

Many other 2007 Patriot CVT's likely lasted alot longer than you might think. I'm not gonna go through all your old posts to check, but my guess is that you or(if you bought used) the previous owner of your Patriot didn't maintain it well. Most CVT horror stories begin that way. Even if it was checked and changed like it should have been, your problem still isn't as common as you think...less so if maintained properly.

 

How many miles are on your Patriot?

 

Some people just dont like the CVT. They feel unresponsive and sound unpleasant.
Accelerating from a stop can be downright painful, which is why they are coming with a launch gear now.

 

My Patriot has 105,000 and just had the transmission fluid changed for the third time ( also changed the 4x4 fluids) it still runs like new, looks new and drives like new because of a constant maintenance program. Interior leather treated each month, exterior paint has three coats of ceramic finish and rubber and plastic parts treated to best preserve them in Texas sun.