7/29 Q/A Session - 2007-2008 MK

[eighteenwheeler]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

Thank you for the feedback. How long do you use your speakers w/ the engine off before the battery dies?

It's a lot shorter than I ever would have imagined (likely because theres no way to turn off the subwoofer/other speakers when using the drop-down tailgate speaker).

The patriot won't start if I've been running those around an hour (even a little less), but the battery won't die completely. Now I try to start the engine for 15 minutes every 45 minutes, but normally i just let the battery die and jump it, because who wants to run and start the car during a volleyball match or picnic (we head to the beach every friday).

I know I "could" get a boombox/stereo, but that was one of the selling points of the car. Instead I talked to a stereo installation store about installing a remote start that automatically starts the car when the voltage drops, but I had concerns about the warranty with the remote start.

[Jeepinz]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

No doubt the diesel would benefit some customers, depending on your usage patterns. The issue is the cost associated with meeting the regulations here in the U.S.

I guess the question we'll throw back to the MK forum is: How much would you be willing to pay for a diesel option?

A 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid loaded = $33,500 + tax breaks

Keep a loaded CRD Patriot under $30,000! Otherwise the benefit to cost ratio fails depending on mpg. Personally, I'd pay whatever you charged to get a CRD!

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by Kyvang

the only thing that is really keeping me from them is I feel a 4cyl gas is not going to give me the power I need, the patriot really reminds me of the Cherokee more than anything else, but it is seems low to the ground and underpowered to really push it. Like every jeep-engineers discussion, people would love you for a small diesel(you knew it was coming).

I really want one to try and off road, but I know that jeep is going for a diff niche...I guess that works. Overall I really enjoy the exterior styling.

Try one out on road (test drive, rental) and you can see for yourself what the performance is like. Remember that it is a 4 cylinder, but it will save you $$$ on gas. It's a trade-off. As for ruggedness, the trail rated version is lifted one inch, has skid plates, tow hooks and has the low range CVT.

[polished_heckle]

How's the demand for the 3.0L Grand Cherokee Diesel? Are they a hot seller? That would be a good market gauge. I've seen quite a few on the road.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by eighteenwheeler

I know this wasn't directed towards me, but one of the major reasons I went with the patriot instead of the new liberty or wrangler is I don't fit into either of those vehicles. I've talked to several tall guys on the forums, (I'm 6'9" ) and we fit into the patriots/compasses fine, but I can't even fit my knees into the liberty with the seat all the way back, and the wrangler I can barely fit, but my knees rub the dash. So oddly enough, I was trying to decide between the patriot and the dodge Ram 4x4... Comfort, gas mileage, CVT, price, AWD, and being able to drive 4 people did it for me.

Thanks for the feedback. As you state, the patriot is quite roomy for tall people, has great gas mileage, and is quite comfortable.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by victory red

dumb question.
what is your take on adding a K&N air filter.
i understand some dealers want to void your warranty over this?

believe it or not!

Naturally we can't recommend or endorse them since we don't put them through all of our durability and validation testing like we do with the stock air filtration system. An air filter is basically a tradeoff of filtration vs. flow. We bias towards filtration to protect the engine from airborne debris. Some tend to bias towards flow with some loss of overall filtration efficiency of small particles. For me, personally, I'll take engine protection every time.

In terms of the warranty: Our basic policy is that modifications in and of themselves do not necessarily void the warranty. If the modification causes a failure, then that would not be covered.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by Gramps

Us MK owners are just like any other Jeep owners, we always try to get more out of them than what the factory builds because most of us are NOT your average owners, we want more. Can the CVT handle 225 HP or maybe a little more? Just looking to nudge things a bit with out dropping a Hemi in the back seat.

The 2.4L engine and CVT transmission are optimized. We do not recommend modifying them.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by polished_heckle

How's the demand for the 3.0L Grand Cherokee Diesel? Are they a hot seller? That would be a good market gauge. I've seen quite a few on the road.

Sorry we don't have that information to disclose.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by Jeepinz

Who are the http://www.startech.de Startech tuners?

Is there any official connection with Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler?

Thanks!

Startech is a tuner in Europe who Chrysler International does occasionally work with to come up with performance and appearance packages sold through our dealer network in Europe...nothing more official than that, i.e. we don't own them like Mercedes owns AMG....

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by OnRoad

I live in one of the RUST belts in this country. Why is there little protective undercoating (something to keep the chassis from getting chipped)?

The corrosion protection is provided by the e-coat that is applied to the entire body & underbody beneath prior to paint. Typical "undercoating" doesn't provide corrosion protection only noise supression.

[CopperCJ7]

Having owned three Jeeps (so far), I have to say that Jeep seems to have swayed far from the true meaning of Jeep. While I agree that Jeep needs to make cars and not just stick to an SUV and a Wrangler-type vehicle, Jeep really needs to get back to its core target audience with at least four vehicles. Vehicles that are leading edge while being capable on and off-road. Something to compete with Land Rover for utility and engineering while looking like a retro flat fender or something even more progressive.

That being said, how about a Wrangler with retro flat fenders and the style of a CJ with some of today's technology? How about a Compass that looks less like that hideous Aztec and more like a rugged cross-platform urban assault vehicle?

I am proud to be a Jeep owner three times over, but in my humble opinion, the Compass and Patriot are jokes in the grand Jeep scheme of things.

C'mon, we know you're more creative than that.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by polished_heckle

I want the lift because I keep dragging the trailer hitch bike rack through waterbars on logging roads. It's purely a capability reason. The last road I was one shifted the hitch upwards by a couple degrees from hitting the rear of the bike rack (close to where a hitch ball would normally sit).

I know you can't recommend lifting it. That's why I asked what the maximum angles on the CV joints are.

The Off Road package with the 1" lift is at the limit for halfshaft angles to assure durability.

[Jeepinz]

Will the Dodge Caliber SRT4 head rests (black, thick, solid, covered in leather) fit a Jeep Compass or Patriot? Clearly the base Dodge Caliber HR's look to be the same plastic foam as the Jeeps.

The stock OEM Headrests on the Compass and Patriot are a common source of comfort complaint. It'd be a nice solution for many assuming the seats are the same inside.

Thanks!

[CharBroiled]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

If you want a little extra pep you can pull the shift lever down into L and you will get a different shift schedule that give you more gear ratio. This can be done at any time / any speed and the CVT will choose the most appropriate ratio.

seriously? any speed? sweet Ive been afraid to go past 50 or so in "L".. there is so much of a difference I was afraid I would hurt something.

just to confirm, basically I can shift to "L" at 65 MPH and leave it there (say for when passing and I want to use engine braking to give more control for a quick tuck in)?

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

Try one out on road (test drive, rental) and you can see for yourself what the performance is like. Remember that it is a 4 cylinder, but it will save you $$$ on gas.

A four banger with the right gearing is just as trail-worthy as an I6 or V8.