2009 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual - Page 290

288 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: The parking brake lever will not release unless the lever is pulled up slightly past its applied position. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill grade. You should always apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. WARNING! • Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in the ignition. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle. • Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake failure and an accident. Parking Brake When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise, the load on the automatic transaxle locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.