3 months and 12,000 km

[Tom Duhamel]

Good evening,

When I received my Journey 3 months ago (2011 SE, 7 seats) I posted about it 2 days later with my first impressions. Now, after 12,000 km and just out of the garage for my first oil change, here I am again with my updated comments. I would invite you to go see the post in question.

In that other post, I had three complaints/problems.

1- I said I had a problem with the right 2nd row seat which would not slide, either to adjust position for the passenger or to allow access to the 3rd row, and I explained how I fixed it. Now I wanted to say that I never had any further problem with the seat. After a while, it becomes easier to slide actually. It became routine to me. However, I must say that my 9yo is still unable to fold and slide the seat himself to get at the back or to get out. None of my passengers is able to do it by themselves until I show them how to do, and even then they are unable to do it easily. I got accustomed to it, but it's definitely not as easy as advertised. And adult that really want to get accustomed will find it easy eventually, but kids will need help all the time.

2- I also mentioned about the central screen that went blank on the very first day. Well, it does it frequently. I found that it does that when I start then engine after the car has been idle on accessories for a while, like when I'm listening to the radio while waiting for someone. It doesn't do it every times, but i notice it only does that in that particular situation. As I am idling all the time with the radio on waiting for passengers, I happen to get this problem often. I would say, maybe once every 10 times. The only solution is to shut the engine and start it again. As I don't always notice immediately, often I need to apply this solution while waiting on a red light (that must look funny for the driver behind me). While this problem is not dramatic, I have not music and I cannot adjust the temperature while the screen is blank (though I can adjust fans speed using the hard button). I have the smaller 4.3 version, and I have not seen anyone else mention this problem here, so maybe I am the only one.

3- I also reported the problem that all other Canadians complain about. The speed indicator always returns to MPH upon starting the engine, after it has been off. (Leaving the car idling on accessories leaves the IVIC on, and thus it does not return to MPH.) I can switch it back to KM/h with the push of a single button, and I must admit that hitting that button has become part of my routine (Start engine - Check warning indicators - Check fuel level - Turn on lights - Switch to KM/h). Sometimes I forget, and I realize later when driving (as a good driver, I know my approximate speed without looking at the dash, so I immediately notice as the number doesn't match my expectation). A friend of mine, which is currently learning to drive, practices with me on week-ends. At one time, I mentioned that she was over speeding, and she only realized at that moment that she forgot to switch to KM/h. This situation shows that it is a potential danger for some drivers, in particular new drivers that are yet unable to evaluate their speed by eye.

So that is for the problems that I had previously posted. Now a few more, small problems which I noticed after driving the Journey for a while.

I initially thought that the car had little power and that the automatic transmission was weird. I still think that. However, I noticed a dramatic improvement in both power and fuel consumption after about 2000 km. That would, apparently, be the break in point (if there is such a term). After thinking fuel consumption of 12 L/100 km was huge, after the 2000 km I noticed that my average was now around 10.5, and it has not changed since. It is slightly better after long highway runs (down to 9.5 in extreme cases, but usually more around 10), and slightly higher when I need to spend a day in the traffic of the city (up to 11, consistently). I think these figures are acceptable for this kind of vehicle, but I will admit I have little experience with similar cars.

Engine power is really the minimal acceptable to me. When I'm empty, I think the car has much more power than I actually need, but with four passengers (five when you count me in) and the cargo area full of all that I need for my job, I find that acceleration is slow, I feel that the engine takes a long time to gain enough power for my tastes. However, once the car has gain speed, I don't feel any problem anymore. One particular situation which I find it is a problem is when entering a highway. Getting from 50 to 100 km/h before entering the highway is often a problem, when the acceleration lane is short. I made it a habit to turn to semi-automatic in these cases to help, and it does indeed helps a lot. If I had a choice, I would go with the 3.6 L engine. Of course, this is not going to be a problem for everyone, it really depends on your needs. In my case, I have a full car 90% of the time because of my job.

I think the vertical bar that separate the windshield from the front doors is to width. Perhaps this will not be a problem for everyone, since depending on your height and your position, it might not be in your field of view at all. However, to me, the bar is so large that it is often a problem in the city, when you need to watch for walkers, cyclists and other cars on intersections. I don't know whey they had to make it this large. The Caravan does not have this problem. I would say it is the only problem I have with visibility with this car however, because I love the overall sight that you get on the outside. It is easy to see everywhere around you, except for that spot behind the large bar.

One problem which I only noticed recently is the position of the front flashers. I noticed after a while that in heavy traffic the drivers to my sides did not seem to care about my intention to change lines. After it bugged me for a while, I let the flasher on while I was packed and went outside the car to see for myself how easy it was to see the flasher from a car on the side. I found out it was completely impossible to see the flasher if you are not in front of the car. The flashers are located on the inside of the head lights, so they cannot be seen from the side. Normally, the front flashers are on the outside, so they are very visible to the driver directly beside you, and if they are polite they would help you change lane. Now that I know, my attitude is different. I know I need to wait for a car behind me to let me go, because the one beside me has no idea of my intentions. I don't know who at Dodge thought that location was better than the more common one, but I hope he was moved to the department where they design tire valve caps.

I hope this post didn't sound to negative. I realize I only had negative points to raise, as all the good points were already raised in my earlier post.

I really love my Journey. It's a large vehicle that drives much like a large car, rather than a truck as is the case for the Caravan. Controls are excellent, brakes are very comfortable and efficient once you get used to them (which takes a few hours at worse). Seats are extremely comfortable, I can drive for hours without the need for a walk. Fuel tank is large, which means less stops to the gas station (though it means a larger bill at each stop).

I passed the 12,000 km mark yesterday, which means the "oil change" signal went off for the first time. Today was my first time at the garage. A funny situation occurred when the guy came with my bill and asked how to reset the signal. I laughed and suggested that he checked the owner's manual. He said he did, but he did not understand English. It is only at that point that I realized that the manual is only in English, no French (which I believe is illegal here in Québec). After a spending a few minutes, I located the place where it says how to do. I will remember the procedure, and I'm sure he will. He admitted that the procedure is very similar to other cars, and that he tried all the methods that he learned from other cars, but it was the first time that he encountered a car with a "push to start" button. If you ever get into this situation, here is the method, so that you look smarter than the garage person:

1- Turn the ignition to run by pushing the start button twice, but without pressing the brake, so that the engine does not start

2- Press the accelerator three times within 10 seconds

3- Turn the ignition to off

Now my English skill made me smarter than a 30 year experience mechanic.

Tom

[Quark]

Thanks for your feedback, Tom -- a good read for me as a new Journey owner (1150km so far).

Is your 2011 SE a 4 cylinder? I test-drove the 4 cylinder and decided that the v6 was necessary for any real highway driving...

Also, did you take it to a Chrysler/Dodge dealer for your first oil change? or just to a general garage/mechanic?

My local dealer provides a coupon that makes the first oil change free...for when I need it!

[Tom Duhamel]

Thanks for your feedback, Tom -- a good read for me as a new Journey owner (1150km so far).

Is your 2011 SE a 4 cylinder? I test-drove the 4 cylinder and decided that the v6 was necessary for any real highway driving...

Also, did you take it to a Chrysler/Dodge dealer for your first oil change? or just to a general garage/mechanic?

My local dealer provides a coupon that makes the first oil change free...for when I need it!

It is the 4-cylinder engine, yes. As mentioned in an earlier post, I did not have a choice, other than the color, as the car is actually provided and payed by the company I work for.

No, I did the oil change at Canadian Tire, a major chain of general garage in Canada. I always did business there, for all the vehicles that I owned or were put under my responsibilities. Price is not a reason, as the company pays for the maintenance. It is rather the service quality that is a concern for me. At a dealer in my area, I would need to take a rendez-vous 2 weeks in advance for a simple oil change, which is not acceptable to me (I drive 5000 km a month on average, with unpredictable peaks, so I cannot predict when I will need a service, or even be available to get one). On the other hand, I can show up in any Canadian Tire at any time or any day and I get my service within two hours, and often they service my car minutes after my arrival.

Actually, with my previous vehicle, a Dodge Caravan (also provided by the company I work for), I tried at several occasions over the course of a year to get a service from a dealer, and actually never did because of an unacceptable delay. I can only hope they give a better service elsewhere. If I ever get my car at a dealer, that would be for a major situation.

I don't know if they offer a free oil change or any deal, but my company never complained even if I never got my car serviced there.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Interesting post. Have you taken that problem with the screen going out up with the dealer? Could be a warranty issue.

I agree with you about the A-pillars (the vertical bar you mentioned). I too came from a Caravan (2006 model) and I found the visibility impacted by the A-pillars in the Journey. It took some getting used to. I've found it mainly to be a problem when turning left as I can't actually see where I'm going.

The 8.4 system has it's own quirks that we're all hoping will be fixed when the software update comes (Chrysler says it's coming). I think we all have the issue with the EVIC defaulting to MPH. Apparently there is a fix for it at the dealer and there is a thread on here about it.