2007 Jeep Patriot Owner Manual - Page 349

348 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 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 one quart 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. Change Engine Oil Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the following list to decide if any apply to you. • Day and night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C). • Stop and Go driving. • Extensive engine idling. • Driving in dusty conditions. • Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km). • More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C). • Trailer towing. • Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service). • Off-Road or desert operation. 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.