2008 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual - Page 355

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 353 The best time to check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will give you an incorrect reading. Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a crosshatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil when the reading is at the low end of the indicated range will result in the oil level at the full end of the indicator range. CAUTION! Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as indicated by the range markings, as described above, on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This could damage your engine. 7 Engine Oil Dipstick