A12Rag

From my real world experience with my 2010 R/T AWD . . . got a flat on the highway, pulled over right away when safe, changed the tire - put the temp spare on . . . started to drive and the car pulled to right (was right front that was flat) and AWD light came on. Was going slow, and then finally the pulling stopped, although the AWD light was on. I only had to go a little way into town to get the tire repaired. Once back on the car, and driving for about 1/2 a block, all warning lights out and drove normal again. My question is, why can't there be correct size spare and not have the issue of AWD turning off and making you think that there is something wrong with the car ?????

Never thought to take pics of the "new" Journey . . . but I will have to think about it once things warm up ! . . . just wondering if anyone has found out where to get the "European" tow hook that screws into the front or rear, when you remove the little piece from the front or rear bumper . . . ???

Well, I had a 2010 R/T AWD, 5passenger Journey as my company car. The lease was up in July and I ordered another R/T AWD, 5passenger Journey for next company car. The new one is 2013, loaded with all the bells and whistles. I must say the 2010 Journey with the 3.5 V6 had much more engine noise and not same pulling power as the 2013 with the 3.6 V6. Also, the 2010 did need brakes, twice in 120k kilometers, which was not bad - although I have had mini vans in the past where I got by with one brake job. Or the 2006 Dodge Magnum R/T AWD that I have, I got 150k kilometers before doing the brakes. However, the 2010 did it's job and was not a bad vehicle. Two tone leather interior was nice. But the dash instrumentation left a lot to be desired. Dodge has done a great job on the dash and interior of the 2013 Journey !!! . . . the 3.6 V6 works well (still not same as driving my Magnum with the HEMI), and gas mileage has been good so far (have 9500 km on new Journey) - average 9.5litre/100km. Usually a fair bit of highway driving. The radio did need to be replaced after I had gotten the car home from picking up at the dealership. Something they knew about, that happens on the Journey and Trucks . . . replaced and all is fine. I did look at the Ford Edge, but for the comparible equipment, it was $8-10k more than the Journey. I know there are many out there that don't feel the Journey is a quality vehicle, but the bang for the buck is there. For me, the worst part of any automobile, is having to deal with the dealerships. . . . Cheers Mark

Hey all . . .am an electrical guy . . . here is the explanation on why you need the relay kit and capacitor when installing HID headlights on the Mopar products, at least as far as I have been able to ascertain : 1) Standard Halogen bulbs that come with the car are 55 watts each. The computer pulses the voltage (very quickly) to the bulb to get a signal back stating that the bulb is working, no signal back, then the lamp out indicator comes on, on the dash. 2) HID headlights use the ballast for the high voltage ignition needed to strike the arc in the bulb (the arc tube), and then hold the current to a proper level. The ballasts are rated 35watts, and some newer "digital" ones are rated 55watts . . .either one will work in our applications. 3) Because of the pulse to the bulb, as stated above, what you need to do, is wire the ballasts up to the battery, through the relay. So when you turn on the headlight switch, it turns on the relay, which has a "normally open" contact that "closes" when the relay is turned on - thus completing the circuit between the battery and the HID ballasts. Also, in order to "fool the computer" that there is no problem with the bulb, you add the capacitor in parallel (i.e. across the plus & minus terminal of the relay). The capacitor charges up and will discharge into the bulb circuit, when the pulse happens - telling the computer that there is no bulb out issue. 4) When you install the HID this way, you need to protect the wire, and the relay, between the battery terminal and the relay. DO NOT use a fuse in this circuit !! I repeat DO NOT use a fuse in this circuit . . . if the fuse opens, you have NO HEADLIGHTS at all . . . what you should install is an automotive circuit breaker (typically 25amp will work fine). This way, if there is a problem, the circuit breaker will open, then cool down and reclose - so you might have pulsing headlights, but at least you have headlights !!! . . . these circuit breakers are available at any automotive supply store, and will fit the fuse holder that comes with these relay kits. Hope that helps clarify ! Cheers Mark

Depends on the region that you live in . . . 1) If you live in a winter area where temps go down low (even without snow), then a winter tire should be a MUST HAVE on your list. The rubber compound is much sticker than all season or summer type tires. You will notice a HUGE difference in stopping distance using winter tires vs anything else ! Also, the traction for handling and such is much much better. I am a true convert after having AWD Dodge Magnum R/T - and putting winter tires on it - WOW ! MASSIVE difference, even with the AWD. 2) As for FWD vs AWD, well, the system on the Journey is an "on demand" style . . . the computer kicks it in when it sense slippage. So when you are driving on the highway with good conditions, you are in FWD mode and using less gas ! But if you start getting into slippery conditions, then the computer does it's thing and AWD gets kicked in and out - you really won't notice it, unless you are in major slippery conditions - I have done this in the mountain passes with lots of snow on the road. The car starts to push the front, like a front wheel drive, then the AWD kicks and you get more control ! Personnely, after having the Magnum AWD - which was on all the time (62% driving the rear wheels and 38% driving the front wheels), I prefer the system that is on all the time -even in summer it provides AWESOME handling !!! So, where does that leave you ??? . . . . get what you feel suits your area and driving pattern. If you drive both you won't really notice much difference. However if you have winter in your area, then you certainly will !! And if you do decide to go with FWD only, I would still suggest winter tires ! AWD is no substitute for proper equipment, winter tires are built for a reason ! Just my two cents worth . . Cheers Mark A12rag

I have to admit, I was impressed with the dealership here - have had many "bad" experiences with them, however I got a phone call on Wednesday morning - after the Friday that I had them look at it to diagnosis the PTO leaking. They had gotten the new PTO in and I took the car to them around 9:30am and got it back, around 2pm ! Heck, they even washed it !!! - WOW - they have NEVER done that in all the service work with my other vehicles I have brought there. All seems well . . . What triggered me to the leak, was first smelling a bit of rubber or oil type smell after driving the car for a while. But then on my big trip, you could actually SEE the leaking fluid on the ground. I agree with you Mike about the power, somehow they need to reconfigure the shift points on the transmission - I find it loses too much speed when on the highway and using cruise control, usually I just downshift it myself manually before the computer decides it should . . . as for the power, well, I am used to a 5.7litre AWD Magnum R/T . . . so needless to say, passing in the Journey is a much LONGER process ! Cheers Mark

Well, my 2010 has finally proven that they HAVE NOT gotten the PTO seal figured out . . . just did a 1800km trip, and in the middle of it noticed oil dripping . . . so went to the dealer, who was good having a look at it and checked the fluid, saying I could drive it, and it was just a transaxle seal. Get home to the dealership here and am told it is the PTO that is leaking and they are going to replace the whole unit . . . 7 day waiting til the PTO gets in . . .

Hey Phil . . . guess you and I think alike . . . I really hate that Chrysler would leave such a big area, unprotected. Where do your feet hit when you are getting in and out of the car ?!?!? I have not found any plastic sill guards, but what I have done is take some black body tape ( like a big stripe - about 6" wide, but cut narrower to fit ), and made it fit the sill on the car. I will post a pic or two in the future on this, when I get back home, on the road this week . . . anyhow, it does the job. I did this same thing on my 2006 Dodge Magnum. Cheers Mark A12rag

Hey Phil . . . have not gotten any good news. The 2010 have the rear turn signal/brake and running light in one location. That means that the turn signal bulb & circuit is the same one used for braking. As such, changing to an amber bulb for turn signal operation, would also have it coming on when you hit the brakes. This would mean a total wiring harness change - right from the front of the car to the back. Along with a change in how the turn signal circuit is done versus the brake light circuit. It's a real shame, I had wanted a vehicle with the rear amber turn signal. That is what I saw on the 2009 Journey. I just assumed that the 2010 would be the same. Not so in north america. . . . Mark

Sorry everyone . . . have sort of stalled on this one. Have been out of town and busy with work . . .will have to check with dealership on the wiring harness again. I am SURE it MUST be different between 2009 and 2010 models.

That is something I wanted my dealer parts guy to check for me, the actual wiring harness to see if it was a different part number . . . .which would then tell me that there was more to it than just changing out the taillight assembly. Then again, even leaving it the way it is and getting the 2009 taillight assembly, I could build a logic circuit that would take the turn signal flash from the red part of the lens and then have that turn make the amber bulb work. . . .I know it is a bit to work out, but certainly might be worth the modification to get the amber turn signal back

I am not sure, I have not gotten that far into it. . . although my dealership parts dept. says that the wiring for the rear taillights in 2009 and 2010 is the same (????) . . . I like the amber turn signals better, but depending on how much it will cost to change things, I may or may not do this.

And here is what looks like today ! . . . I had gotten the granite alloy 17" wheels and blizzaks for winter. Notice the rams head decal - little bit more factory look !

Hey I think maybe we have the same 17" wheels ! These are the granite alloys I got for mine . . . although I customized them with a rams head decal ! . . .

I got my 2010 R/T AWD that came with the Kuhmo All Seasons and promptly had ordered a set of 17" blizzaks and aftermarket alloy wheels for the car. I have put them on and love the Blizzaks. I have had them on my 06 Magnum R/T AWD and they made a huge difference from the factory all seasons. My tire guy told me IF he could find any 19" winters for the Journey, they would come in at least around $1,500.00 !! I went to tirerack.com and got everything from them. They were very good to deal with - all in it was $1,445.00 (tires, wheels, new lug nuts, mounting & balancing of tires, and tire pressure monitor sensor), oh and delivery too. While the all seasons do a good job, they can't help you when stopping or you start to slide on ice. The rubber compound of the winter tire is designed for the cold temps. My advise, invest in the winter tires. Cheers Mark PS - this was 2 weeks ago ! Now the snow is all melted and gone !

On the outside, they have removed the light bulb (where you would have the amber bulb in the 2009) and left the lens with the clear on it . . . guess they figure it is cheaper ??? I much prefer the European set up and wish the north american manufacturer's would stop offering it on some vehicles, then going back to the red only. . . . I guess I can check with my local dealership to see what the part numbers are for 2009 and how much it will cost to change it . . .

I believe that they changed it for 2010 ! Mine is a 2010 . . .

I just got my Journey about 2 weeks ago - and we had winter temps, and 10cm of snow ! The R/T AWD seemed totally fine in all the slippery stuff. The question I have is : In North America, Mopar has decided to use the RED tailight for both stop and turn signal indication. Yet, in Europe, they have same taillight with Red for stop and AMBER for turn signal ! I would love to get a set of European taillights and then probably have to modify the wiring harness in the back (unless get the European wiring harness too), and have the same as the European spec models. Would anyone from Europe be able to find out what the part numbers would be for the taillight assemblies (left & right), and or possibly the wiring harness too ?? Thanks, Mark

Thanks for the information on this. I got my Journey about 2 weeks ago and had already ordered the scuff pad from Autoexclusive. It fits like a GLOVE !!! Mopar sure should have made that standard !

Hi . . . I am interested . . .I had sent you an email . . .what are you asking for them ? Do you know what the shipping cost would be to Spokane Valley, Washington ?? (99212) . . . Thanks, Mark