The annoying whine in the back... Oh thats my girls

The terrestrial radio antenna as I use a car cover and have to remove it each time (out of garage space).

Limited rear visibility makes for slower lane changes.

These are nits. I've never found the perfect car.

 

Limited rear visibility makes for slower lane changes.
.

That was one thing I looked for when I bought my new car. The Vue, HHR, escape all had lesser visibility. But then, I have the seat cranked up a little higher than normal, and although I don't have "your whine" in the back end, I do have the hound running back and forth!

BTW, the car wash folks just love to see me come in for my monthly full service. Have you ever tried vacuming dog hair out of our carpets and mats? Even the back of the rear seats is awful! (Jeep folks take note!)

Having been a traveling salesman of sorts (actually an engineer..) I've had the opportunity to rent a myriad of different autos in all states and many other countries. I believe our Pats have some of the best rear visibilities out there!

 

The front windshield mirror hinders visibility. It isn't too bad, but it can get annoying.

The bass on the sound system (non-boston acoustic speaker) is overpowering, and is very muddy. Need to look at aftermarket speakers to get a clear, tighter sound.

 

I've noticed this too. I feel the same.

 

The Ferrari speedometer. Like I'm going to go 150 mph (240 km/h).

The roof rails that don't go all the way to the front of the roof. It's going to make hauling my windsurfers and sea kayak more problematic.

My Voyager minvan had wayyy better cup holders, but then that is what minivans are really good at.

 

The seat belt buzzer

The seat belt alarm is just killing me!!!!

I KNOW, I KNOW, I should wear it.

 

The seat belt alarm is just killing me!!!!

I KNOW, I KNOW, I should wear it.

you know you can remove the chime !!

 

Second. That cubby hole; The one below the radio. I wish it had a rubber liner on the bottom so that my cell phone would stay put. Anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone make an accessory for this type of thing?

That annoyed me too. Solution: They make anti-slip pads and contact paper for kitchen cabinets. My wife had a spare pad laying around, cut it to size... perfect.

On to my gripes:

1. Stinkin' center console interfere's with the legroom for center rear seat passenger.

2. Stupid minivan liftgate. I want a a rear window hatch glass and dropdown tail gate like the Honda Element.

 

Have the same grip about the storage just underneath the radio...i set my ipod in there and it goes flying!!!

Also wish there was a place to put a stack of actual CD's. My Mazda 6 that I traded in had a little compartment about the cd player that made it very convenient w/ a stack of caseless CD's. Oh well, I will certainly live without.

I agree about the Seat Belt alarm. City driving means I'm only driving a few blocks sometimes...and YES i should be wearing it at all times.

 

I agree about the Seat Belt alarm. City driving means I'm only driving a few blocks sometimes...and YES i should be wearing it at all times.

I know in the Canadian Patriot manual there are instructions on how to turn it off.... It's something like connect the drivers belt 3 times in ten seconds with the key in a certain position.

 

Ok, we all love our Patriots that much is clear, but there are always some things that annoy us. Vent your feelings here. Someone just might have the solution for what irks you… Waiting for your Patriot doesn't really count

I'll go first...

First. My Patriot's steering was dead on when I test drove it. Since I took delivery, I've notice that I have to compensate the steering wheel to the left by about half an inch. So it's really not a huge deal...it's more of an annoyance. Road camber is tricky, but middle highway lanes here are pretty flat and this is where I notice it the most. I'm booked for an alignment later this week.

Second. That cubby hole; The one below the radio. I wish it had a rubber liner on the bottom so that my cell phone would stay put. Anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone make an accessory for this type of thing?

Third. Wheel weights. They're ugly. My driver's side back wheel has two (one is very small). I wish all vehicle manufacturers used the hidden stick-on variety. As long as they don't rust and don't need to be relocated (this leaves nasty gouges on the rims), I don't care too much.

About the cubby hole, they make these sticky pads that are for things like that my mom has one on her dash to hold her sun glasses in place they work well for things like that maybe put on in the hole? Google sticky pads. she got hers at an office supply store.

 

You can buy those little "anti-slip" pads (kinda look like gray mousepads) with iPod and Mp3 player accessories. I've seen them at Best-Buy and whatnot.

 

maybe it's just where i sit and how i have mirrors set, but seems to have HUGE blind spots

 

1) Ipod holder - Good thought, bad execution. I do like the sticker with it that says using you ipod or cell phone while driving is dangerous, and you could be injured or killed!
2) Cubby under radio - Would be good ipod holder, but the ipod becomes a projectile when you stop or go! Should be easily fixable with grip pad.
3) Factory tow hitch requires cutting of rear bumper cover. No Way!
4) After hearing of how long the antena is, I may have to replace it with a short, black flexible version.

Otherwise, I love it! Only minor stuff!

 

The iPod holder was a good idea, but it didn't take into account the people that keep their iPods in hard cases. The appeal of the iPod holder wore off quickly when we had to jam it in there.

We have Treo 755p's and place them in that cubby hole. maybe it's the surface on the back of the cellphone, but they stay put.

 

That cubby hole; The one below the radio. I wish it had a rubber liner on the bottom so that my cell phone would stay put. Anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone make an accessory for this type of thing?

OHHHHH I so agree!! I keep my prescription sunglasses in there and they slide all over the darn place (and rattle too). Mind you, I'd keep cds in there if it weren't way too small.

 

the horn

The BLAT!! the horn makes when you lock the car!!!!

Has ANYONE figured out how to tun it off?

 

The BLAT!! the horn makes when you lock the car!!!!

Has ANYONE figured out how to tun it off?

If you have a Sport then it requires the dealer to hook up the StarScan computer thingy to program it to off. I had mine silenced by my Chrysler dealer within days of experiencing that HONK! I believe Limited owners can program it off with the EVIC?

 

if your ipod slides around in the compartment under the radio then you could also just get something like an 'iskin' case and that should grip pretty well

 

1. visibility to the left rear - have to double check lane changes.
2. Agree with the above that rear-view mirror can hinder visibility.
3. Placement of cup-holders - have to reach for my morning latte (ahh...)
4. I think the guy that said the roof-rack is too far back might be right - find out next winter when the skis stick out over the rear?
5. Wish I had gotten speed control and trailer prep. Still can, I guess...
All the above are minor, I very much enjoy the Riot. Have to wait to see if it will ignore 16" of snow like the old Cherokee, and, of course, see if I have had to spend money on it before 100,000 miles...

 

i dont even own mine yet, but have test driven loads... anyway, the sunroof controls could be a little closer. i have to stretch. sucks being 5'9" i guess. or have them closer to the actual sunroof on somewhere on the dash.

ill find more when i actually get one!

 

Yeah, BUT....



At least you DO NOT have to hold the buttons to open or close the sunroof, AUTO in both direction, so that is NICE!!!!!!!!!!

 

the fact that the aux power after you shut off the PAT turns off when a passenger opens a door. would be nice if stayed on until you opened the driver door. but not a huge deal.

 

The passenger handle up near the roof line (I assume to help short people and older senior folks get in the Pat) is in the wrong place....it should be closer to the windshield (like in the G.C.) where the passenger can grab onto it and haul themself in....

Quick note: Specific instructions on shutting off the automatic seatbelt reminder are in the manual (make sure you retract the seatbelt all the way after doing/undoing it up three times).....Also, you can adjust the horn so that it does not sound when you lock your car...check your manual for specific instructions.....

 

<snicker> It's just funny that after three times of doing/undoing it up, one wouldn't just do it up.

 

Here's the 411 on the seatbelt alert...

 

So if I see a bunch of weird girations by a Patriot driver I will understand they are deactivating the seatbelt alert and not otherwise impaired. Perhaps someone can provide a video of this?

Does this have to be done everytime you start the car?

 

HA HA.....no, no...just once you have to go through this series of 5 steps or so to disengage the alarm....I actually wear my seat belt...I just hate the dummy bells that go off if you don't do it up within 100 feet of your driveway....

 

Currently MY DLRs not on but I hope to get that fixed tommarow.

 

I think the lack of visibility - especially coming from cherokees, is that the side windows for the "trunk" are significantly smaller. A small rounded mirror on the side mirror makes it so there is zero blind spots for lane changing... I got mine for like $1.50 at autozone....

My biggest peeve is that I cannot see 75% of traffic lights if I am first on line at the light... Also when you fold the back seats down for any length of time the seat receivers dig into the leather and deform it... they can be pulled through under the seat but then it is a pain to get them back in position when returning the seats upright...

There is not enough light for the back seat... the dome lights are all the way in the front and all the way in the back

now that i think about it the most annoying small thing is that you have to pull the light switch out after turning it to get the fog lights on

 

I think the lack of visibility - especially coming from cherokees, is that the side windows for the "trunk" are significantly smaller. A small rounded mirror on the side mirror makes it so there is zero blind spots for lane changing... I got mine for like $1.50 at autozone....

I've also noticed, that the headrests on the rear seat don't help rearward visibility either.
While there are better cars for rearward visibility, (like my old Saturn wagon!), its still way better than driving a Pacifica, talk about a car with bad blind spots!

 

I can imagine people on the sidewalk thinking the beltless Patriot driver is fighting a bee that is stuck in the car with him...!!!

 

I do have to post one other thing that kind of is interesting.....I have the standard single cd player with the AUX input for the ipod. What I have learned is that when you turn off the Patriot, the stereo defaults itself to the FM setting, so when you turn it back on, it is not on the AUX mode.

That isn't the issue though.

When you turn back on your Patriot, and you hit the wheel on your pod to bring it up, then hit the mode button to change back to AUX, the volume resets itself to level 20!!! It doesn't stay where you left the volume setting at!! I have learned the hard way with my 2 year old sleeping in the back! I have taken care of it, and now I turn the volume down after swithching to AUX, before I turn the ipod on. Weird how the volume goes back to 20! That is not a low level! Especially with the Boston system!

 

I don't recall my radio (single CD w/Aux) behaving in that manner.

 

That D@#N empty button

OK, Here is my rant.

I spent a FORTUNE on this thing and got every single option that was available, it is LOADED.

That empty button on the dash next to the Hazard light is like something from a 1979 Nissan or Toyota, they used to have 4-10 of those flat covers over the empty spots all over the dash.

STUPID LOOKING!!!!!!!

At least offer me a replacement button to go in that spot when I buy my driving lights for the front bumper. A proper button, with some kinda symbol on it and not something I have to drill in the dash and mount some tacky toggle switch.

STILL LOVE MY PATRIOT THOUGH! Oh, and agree about the blind spots, will be buying one of the little round mirrors.

That's it, have a nice day.

 

OK, Here is my rant.

I spent a FORTUNE on this thing and got every single option that was available, it is LOADED.

That empty button on the dash next to the Hazard light is like something from a 1979 Nissan or Toyota, they used to have 4-10 of those flat covers over the empty spots all over the dash.

STUPID LOOKING!!!!!!!

At least offer me a replacement button to go in that spot when I buy my driving lights for the front bumper. A proper button, with some kinda symbol on it and not something I have to drill in the dash and mount some tacky toggle switch.

If you go here:
http://www.jeep.com/owners/manuals.html#
and download the manual for the compass, you will see that the button slot is actually a passenger side airbag deactivated light.

Not sure if the Riot has this feature, don't think so cause mine has never come on.

Does anyone know if it is possible to turn off the passenger side airbag???