2009 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual - Page 266

264 STARTING AND OPERATING REVERSE Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NEUTRAL The engine may be started in this range. DRIVE This should be used for most driving and provides the best ratio for optimum drivability, fuel economy, and performance. AUTOSTICK - IF EQUIPPED Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers six manual ratio changes to provide you with more control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations. Automatic ratio changes upward will only occur to protect the Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT) and/or the engine from overspeed. Changes down will only happen at minimum engine speed to prevent stalling. Operation NOTE: Autostick is not functional until the CVT warms up in cold weather. Autostick operation is activated in the DRIVE position by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Moving the shift lever to the (+) side will activate Autostick and shift up to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are already operating in or near Overdrive, in which case 6th ratio will be selected. In like manner, moving the shift lever to (-) will activate Autostick and shift to the next lower manual ratio. After Autostick is activated, the manual ratio selected is displayed in the transmission ratio display and tipping the shift lever to the (+) or (-) direction will cause an upshift or downshift by one ratio.