fjpod

mileage sounds good...do you have the 4 cyl, 6 or diesel?

I haven't figured this key thing out yet. The "valet" key sets off the alarm and you need the fob to shut it off. The valet key won't start the car, and it is attached to the keyfob. So what is the chance that if you lock your keys in the car, that you would remember to remove the valet key and put it in your pocket?

I never hear the cooling fan go on. Maybe it is real quiet. Gonna have to check it someday with the hood up.

These cryptic methods of doing things are getting ridiculous.

her's a new one I discovered...

If you want to pop open your rear hatch with your radio knobs, do the following: with your left hand behind your back and standing on your right foot, press the panic button on your keyfob. After you get three nasty stares from passers-by, open your drivers window and right rear passenger window halfway (but you must do the passenger window from that actual location, not the drivers switch). Remember you cannot put your left foot on the ground while doing this or you will have to start over. Once the windows are half open, reach into the drivers window and pull the lock button up, then sit in the drivers seat with your left foot hanging out (and still off the ground), press the AM/FM button the radio, then slide yourself out the passenger door, hop on your right foot to the rear hatch and press the lever hidden just under the window.

Sounds interesting. tell us more.

A little off topic, but has anyone figured out how to not make the headlights go on when you lock or unlock the car from the key fob?

IMHO, the journey has more front leg room, and if you have a bad back, it's easier to swing your legs in and out with less back effort.

The driver's seat is also wider. The Escape is a bit higher so it may require you to lift yourself a bit more to get in. The Escape is more truck like while the Journey is a true cross-over...higher than a sedan, lower than a truck.

Just got back from a 400 mile road trip. Four cyl gasoline, 3 passengers with suitcases, almost all highway miles at 60 mph. Calculated MPG was 23.9. I did use modest hypermiling techniques. Tire pressure 40 psi. Engine oil M1 5w20. Limited AC use (about 25%).

I have a scanguage 2 and I was noticing my coolant temp reaching 211 degrees F while stuck in traffic. When moving it is 185-190F. Isn't this a little high? I have the 4 cyl gasoline engine.

This was mentioned in another thread...Honestly, I think there are just so many cross-overs available, that some just never make it big.

I just switched to Mobil 1 5w20 at 2,000 miles. I haven't noticed extra power, but I think it is quieter...but then again it could be my wishful thinking. I have a scanguage 2 and I do believe I am seeing better mileage, but I've only driven it about a quarter of a tank on the synthetic. Although I like this car a lot, I don't drive it very much so it will take me a while to report back. During the first 2k miles with the factory fill, I was noticing gradually improving mileage and lessening engine noise on hard acceleration.

I have a 2009 with the 4 cyl gasoline engine. I am not getting any clunking noises from the transmission. Does everyone else have the 6 cyl.?

They seem very rare in Staten Island, NY. And I think I am the only one with a 4 cyl gasoline engine.

I have the 4cyl diesel. That has got quieter and the economy has improved. When new I was getting 28 in town and 34 on the highway. 4000 miles later and I'm doing 33 in town and almost 42mpg on a run.

I really don't know why you don't do diesels in the States? If your government wants cars to be more fuel efficient then the manufacturers need to start sticking diesels in them. As least it's a start until electric tecnology becomes cheap and reliable.

Wow diesels get that much better mileage? But then again, diesel fuel here costs more than regular unleaded. I was wondering the same thing...why we don't have more diesels in passenger cars. Diesel fuel is readily available in most stations. My dad bought a diesel Mercedes in 1973. I can remember diesel was a little less available then. And the car did develop serious engine problems within less than 10 years.

Bump...Somebody besides me must have a 4 cyl?? I've got 1500 miles on it now and it is purring. Mileage is increasing too. I can get 18 or so in the city.

I also have one that I dont use...for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if you try to put something large in the cargo bay, it's just plain in the way. Secondly, my rear windows are darkly tinted and you can't hardly see in anyway.

Bump.

Bump

I might add, I do not have automatic headlights.

I have a new 2009 with 4 cyl. I bought it because I wanted economy, and the vehicles good size. When I test drove it, and for the first few weeks, I thought the engine was a bit anemic. It was noisy, strained on acceleration, etc. But in the last few weeks, I think the engine has quieted a lot. It seems to have more pickup when accelerating, downshifts better, etc. Is it my imagination or has anyone else with the 4 cylinder noticed the same thing?

I was told by the dealer service writer that it can take upwards of 12k miles to get the mileage to level off and get the true numbers. Remember the Journey is a 4000 pound crossover it sits up higher than a sedan and air flow under it causes loss of MPG's. The 2.4L works harder to move the same one than a 3.5L v6. I am sure at least I am hopeful you will get better MPG's the more it is driven. I also use Royal Purple synthetic oil in my Journey. That could help you out as well.

I'm planning to switch to synthetic at my 3k mile oil change. I'll look into RP. Are you using 5w20 as recommended?

I have the 2.4 l, 2009. So far I am not impressed...but then I only have 1200 miles on it so far. I do mostly local city driving. The first tank I got about 15.8. Second tank 17.0 and on a recent highway trip I got 18.3. I do use hypermiling techniques. These are all calculated by the mileage and fill-up method. I do have a scan guage which on my recent highway trip said I was getting as much as 25.5 or so, but it didn't jive with my fill-up method at all. Pretty sure I have the scanguage set right for my engine and all. time will tell.

As an owner of several cars, and now a new Journey, I find it interesting how most mechanics will tell you that "your rotors are warped, so I had to replace everything". I suspect nobody wants to take the time or has the equipment to turn rotors anymore.

As an update to my OP, I have found that as long as you turn the headlights off before you turn off the ignition, the headlights will not turn on ifyou lock with the keyfob. But no matter what I do, they do turn on when I unlock with the keyfob. Still looking for a fix for this.

On my 4 cyl., 2009 Journey, the oil fill cap says to use 5w20. I'm in NYC. It's hot right now, in the upper 80sF. With my upcoming oil change, I might go through most of the winter, where it can go into the teens and 20s. I was planning on using a synthetic like Mobil 1. My "old fashioned" comfort level is to use a 10w30. What would you use and why?

I am hoping there is a way by pushing some combination of buttons on the keyfob. The owner's manual shows you how to deactivate the horn when you lock the car, but I haven't been able to find out anything about the headlights.