Geer

Welcome from a new Lux owner. I agree with UPMedic. I traded in a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with V8. The Journey seems like it has just as much pep. Good luck with your new Journey.

Thanks - and you as well!

I have just taken delivery of my journey - red exterior with black leather interior. I love the vehicle but was surprised that there is no gas cover opener on the interior?! I have had several vehicle and all of them have a gas cover release. I find it odd that Dodge did not feel that it was not necessary especially with the price for gas. I have noticed online that I can purchase a locked cover for about $20. Has anyone bought this cover, does it work or is it not worth having? I would really appreciate other Journey owners opinions.

If you're referring to the mopar locking gas cap - yes I bought one too and it works fine. Its just made of plastic but then again pretty much everything else is, right?!

Congrats on the Journey and welcome!

It looks fantastic. I'm waiting on my 2011 blackberry pearl which should be in next week. I'd love to do the same similar thing to mine.

How are the Mirror caps and gas cover at installing? i'm worried to scratch the paint incase i ever wanted to take them off. Any chance you could link the type and were you bought them? Im not having much luck searching for journey mods.

Thanks. All the items I put on are Mopar brand accessories. Below is a link to the US online store/catalog - you can copy the part numbers and take them to your dealer for pricing.

My link

Filler door was easy. Per the instructions you put some painter's grade masking tape around the door opening so that you won't accidently scratch the paint. The hinge bracket was a little tough to get out from the slot, I had to close the filler door to get the bracket out and same going back in. Otherwise its a breeze - just 2 screws.

Mirror caps were a little more tricky. You need to make sure the housing painted surface is clean - the cap kit even comes with a cloth and small alcohol wipes. You test fit before pulling the film off the adhesive tape. Carefully position in place and apply 30-lbs pressure for at least 30 seconds (all these details are on the info sheet included). I did notice my driver side cap isn't a perfect fit, and I might have to take it off or perhaps try to bond the loose side with some RTV squeezed into the joint. You can probably remove them after the fact. Adhesive tape residue can always be removed with the correct solvent.

The online catalog also has the kit installation directions in PDF which you can download and review.

Good luck!

Hey guys

Just got my 2011 Crew edition Journey a week ago. I love this thing in every way.

One weird thing I noticed, every so often, completely randomly, I hear a beeping sound. It is similar to the artist alert for SIrius, but there will be no alert when this beep sounds.

I checked the messages on the EVIC but nothing there either. I'm not low on gas, it's not slippery out.

Any ideas? has anyone else heard/seen this or am I goin nuts? LOL

No ideas about the beeping- but congrats on the new wheels!

I just went through this exact issue with my 2011 RT. Salesman told me it included uconnect bluetooth (he honestly thought it had it), and since my car is loaded we assumed he was right, got home and no bluetooth

You cannot add the uconnect phone after the fact, even if you have navigation etc...it's not an available part for the 2011. So you return your car or your out of luck, end of story.

My dealership is awesome and have been great through the whole ordeal. They are footing the bill for a car audio store to install an aftermarket bluetooth system through my stereo (no cheesy wires, will be integrated etc). Not perfect by any means as it wont run through my 8.4 screen but I dont have 3+ months to reorder and wait. At least I'll have bluetooth

The sales manager told me when he ordered my car he tried selecting the bluetooth $300 option but for a long period it wasn't available in Canada for some unknown reason.

Well, the VC and BT did not come with my 8.4N. I showed the dealer the brochure and other documentation saying it's supposed to be included. And they offered a Mopar bluetooth accessory add-on (value $400 as you said) at no cost, or wait and see if the factory parts are made available and get it at cost. So I took the free Mopar bluetooth. Happy with that, but I will still file a complaint with Chrysler Canada as ultimately it is their shortcoming.

Thanks for the link.... I will check with dealer on monday regarding the canadian price. I get jobber price through work.

Check out that guys ebay store!! If you buy the r/t emblem for a charger, it is $26. If you buy the r/t emblem for a magnum, it is $22. They are the same OE part number 4806327AC.

I guess Charger owners are willing to pay a little extra!! No offense mainmango.....

LOL

Yep, just as mainmango suggested - I bought OEM Mopar emblems on Ebay @ 2 for $30! They are identical to the tailgate emblem. Just peel and stick. You need to put steady pressure on the emblem for 30 seconds after placing it. The mirror caps are the same.

Thanks!

Hey Saskguy, you also ordered a black R/T, right?

Figured I better do this before the car gets dirty...black is awesome but high maintenance for visual appeal. Pics are in my album "Geer's R/T" which I think is showing up at the top of the main board page for now. This is first day after delivery and I did not waste any time installing a few Mopar accessories- chrome mirror caps, fuel filler door, locking fuel cap, and R/T emblems on the front fenders (which is typical of R/T heritage...not sure why Chrysler isn't putting those call-outs on the sides). Nothing like chrome on black!

I love the 19" painted aluminum wheels, they are clean and modern looking and set the car off nicely. Very happy with the Journey - hope that sentiment continues!

My link 1

My link 2

My link 3

My link 4

Getting a brand new car is exciting and wonderful...well it's supposed to be, right? I picked up the R/T today and of the 5 new vehicles I have purchased in my life, this day was spoiled by my dealer. Especially given this is the first car I've factory ordered.

From day one of ordering, my dealer did not impress me in the least, but I stuck with them because of the deal I got out of them. Somewhere in the process my salesman disappeared, and when I went in about 5-6 weeks ago, I was informed that he no longer worked there! Nobody bothered to call me to reassign another salesman. I couldn't help but wonder if the reason this guy left or got turfed was my deal, because I talked that poor fellow out of alot of money after he told me "the dealership didn't have to make money on every car, they want to move inventory"!!

Anyway, after the shipping and delivery delays, my new salesman called yesterday and says to come first thing in the morning to finish paperwork and take delivery. My wife and I get there at 8:30 and waited (keep in mind we're both missing work now). First receptionist said my salesman will be in shortly. OK, fine. 9:00 comes and goes and the showroom has been open for 1/2 hr now and there's not a sales associate or manager to be seen anywhere. I go to another receptionist (1st one still there) and she informs me "all the guys are out for breakfast at their meeting". WTF?!?! I make an appointment and nobody's there! I could have had $120k burning a hole in my wallet to buy a Viper and nobody was in to make a sale!

The receptionist could basically have cared less and made little effort more than a token call. At that point it was clear I was not getting my Journey so I told my wife to leave and go to work. I went into the service bay and managed to get help from a service associate who actually gave a damn about my situation and got me a rental car so that I could go to work. Got the rental....Nissan Versa which is basically a shopping cart...but its wheels...

Get a call and an excuse later in the morning, and an apology, and they say come down at 4pm. So my wife and I take more time off work and head back down. I get there first and have a look at my car. Happy to see it, but was disappointed in the half-ass "detailing" of the vehicle they promised me. Black shows everything, but it was still dirty here and there, watermarks from a lousy wash, and the interior was not spic & span like I would have expected it to be after shelling out $30k for this thing. There was even tire dressing on the front fenders!

All the options were there except no VC and BT buttons. Came through with the new "performance" fascia which I have fallen for very quickly (wasn't sure if I would like it or not).

Anyway, we go through paperwork and it's getting near close time. My wife runs over to get the insurance and plates, and I return the rental. Now past closing and employees are fleeing the building! They are rushing me - again not impressed for having given them the business I did.

Partial victory: I showed them all the papers indicating the 8.4N is supposed to come with Bluetooth and Voice Command. I didn't specifically order the $300 option since the brochure says "included" with 8.4N So my dealer offers a free MoPar Bluetooth Accessory add-on, or to give me "dealer cost" on the factory equipment add-on for VC and BT. Seriously, I was insulted but since the factory equipment is not even available yet, I agreed to take the Mopar aftermarket set-up and run. US retail is $407 apparently. I will still launch a complaint with Chrysler as it amounts to inaccurate/false advertizing.

Well now we're pretty much done, and I'm mentally cooked from the anxiety of the whole experience and the icing on the cake was the lousy detailing job which I was not going to complain about because I just want to get the hell out of there at that point. So the salesman does his quick walk-around to explain features etc. Turn on the engine and the EVIC registers 38 miles on the odometer! I've never had a new car delivered with more than 6-7 miles on it, which I fully expect. But 38?! WTF?!?! Did somebody decide to take it on a joy ride, after all its an R/T right? Mention this to the salesman and he tries to explain it's from it being driven/tested during PDI. Now I call complete BS to myself, but like I said I was fried and PO'd and needed to get out of there before I punched this guy in the head I'm so unpleased!

Drove home, flustered, and mixed myself one VERY stiff drink! Man I needed that! Waited 4 hrs to get that out of my system and went for a spin tonight. That quickly melted away the bad affair at the dealer!

First, I love the new fascia and overall body styling. The LED taillamps look totally awesome at night. The interior is wonderful- leather seats nicely sized and extremely comfortable. Controls and placement are great. LED door puddle lamps and interior LED lamps are cool. The 8.4N rocks - worth the money (but seriously the top end media system should come std w/ bluetooth and VC).

Engine power - trying to follow a sensible break-in so haven't tapped the full acceleration, but I can feel its there. Transaxle likes to upshift and resist downshifts even with a good dose of throttle. But the ride and handling impresses me the most. Even with the R/T performance suspension and big rims with low profile tires, its got a hell of a nice ride. But the best part - the handling is exceptional. The weight of this vehicle does not translate in its handling characteristics - very nimble and agile, even when pressed hard into corners or quick moves. Handles like a medium-sized car. Boy they really got that right!!

Anyway, the day has exhausted me, even emotionally due to the anxiety and being cheated out of enjoying the experience. I'm tired so I'll sign off. I'll share my experience tomorrow concerning the purchase of warranty - they threw me a curve ball I wasn't expecting.

Later guys & gals!

i will be picking ours up next week.

congrats, i know the feeling, cause we both have similar situations.

Yeah - frustrated to hell with long delivery wait! Although many here are/were in the same boat - a little easier to share in each other's miseries! lol

It only took 12 weeks and 3 days after ordering...but finally...my R/T was dropped off at the dealer this morning. It went through PDI and undercoating/rustproofing this afternoon (impressed with the 50yr warranty on both of those Chrysler warrantied products, given the price)...and picking it up tomorrow morning!

Now, will the VC and BT buttons be on the steering wheel?! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens there, as I believe I've got them painted into a corner if they're not.

Also, curious to see how low I will get them to drop the price on the extended warranty. Given the history of the 1st gen models, it's a "must".

Just watch - it will rain like a bugger tomorrow!

Hello chevyguy98,

unfortunately the link does not work.

Have you received the service manual meanwhile?

Here's the mopar site for tech literature:

https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx

I'd get in touch right away about that. Go in and make it clear that it is contractual and ask them to check on the separate build possibility. It will help the dispute explosion in some way. I would hope.

Thanks...I'll keep my fingers crossed when I go to pick it up. I don't see this as being the dealer's fault or problem, but I do expect them to go to bat for me.

mine is finally at the dealer, the tracking system is way off, it was off by 6 days, so i'm happy.

oh yea, guys, so substract a couple of days from your eta.

Finally - good news, huh!

Just wandering if the engine oil is fully synthetic or semi ? Cuz in the service manual the first service is due around 13000 or 16000km? if it can hold that long, it gonna be synthetic, right?

also, can we bring our own oil to the dealership?

Not sure, but I'd definitely NOT wait to that mileage to change oil, especially the first oil change which is critical.

I bought a brand new '10 Grand Caravan and waited to 5k to change oil. I would not let a car go past that, given the break-in wear metal that will have gone through the engine until being trapped in the filter. On the other hand, you don't want to change the factory fill too early either, as it contains special additives and supplements to break the motor in properly.

5k is a good compromise, IMO.

My had the sunroof, driver convenience group, navigation, and trailer tow prep which I don't want and didn't pay for.

Very nice!

Hell of a deal, I'd trade on color to get almost $3k in options for nothing - you did well!

During ordering for one of our 2011's, at the time of order I selected an option "RB5 Uconnect Touch 8.4N CD/DVD/MP3/NAV" for $750. On my factory order sheet that is created when ordering. After the VIN is created the factory invoice shows up around the time the vehicle starts coming together.

Ordered Dec. 30, 2010. Invoiced at March 2, 2011. Car not here yet. I get my factory invoice. No longer calling it a Uconnect Touch but now just called Garmin Navigation Radio. But it is still referred to as RB5 Unconnect Touch in the Options Report. The latest code guide (build instructions for all models) was reissued on 04/05/11 and has many many details stripped out. Checking my code guide issued 12/14/10 shows the RB5 as the radio but RSP Uconnect Voice Command W/ Bluetooth WAS a selectable option for $300. No memory if it was actually on the order software page.

Using such similar names certainly has caused issues. I've been searching for where I saw it but I remember reading about if you ordered Uconnect Bluetooth with Uconnect Touch you lose the remote USB port or something like that. Wanting not to lose anything, maybe this is where a little of the issue is. Poorly worded memos.

So this leads me to believe I ordered an R/T in the same manner as your dealership.

I've been trying to put that Bluetooth feature in every vehicle we order, along with remote start, but these things slip through. It happens every year albeit different models or reasons. Then finally the vehicle is here and we learn a lesson and try to learn that lesson for the next round of ordering. But I've been taught this lesson on the trucks with their 130 radio that has a Uconnect button on it but has no Uconnect. It just flashes -not installed- or a variant of that. Remote starts can change from standard back and forth as the years change too.

To sum up on the R/T, I think the Uconnect Touch looked like it should have Uconnect w/ Bluetooth. But you either took it together (which will commonly turn off a selected option if it is covered in a group package.) I would make an assumption that the Uconnect Bluetooth would be the one to select if I didn't want the 8.4inch screen. But I wanted both so I check the Uconnect Touch box and look where we are. Uconnect Bluetooth was also included in a group called Convenience Group 1 but that was only available on the lower trim. The R/T only had Driver Convenience Group for the backup cam and sensors. So you would need to select both Uconnect features to get what we really wanted, but only on the R/T. The SXT's were more clear.

Arg!

Now to wait on the 12's.

I ordered the 8.4N but no addiitonal V/C or bluetooth. My salesman and the sales brochure both said/say that the 8.4N comes with V/C and BT. Furthermore the online build sheet for my car indicates "wireless connectivity" under Options.

Awaiting delivery any day now (R/T's in town!) If I don't see V/C and Call Buttons on the steering wheel, I will refuse to take it because I have on 3 pieces of paper telling me I'm suppose to have it. I have a good feeling either the dealer or Chrysler or both will be kicking in $300 to give me what was advertized.

Seems that we are having similar vehicles built at nearly the same time!!!

I ordered a brilliant black r/t that shows a build date of 04/26 at 6:38 am same as yours. My vin ends in 550996 and yours in 551003, so looks like I will be slightly older than you.

Your Build

My Build

Looks like we are sharing a train until Chicago...

I can officially say take the INSIGHT info with a big grain of salt insofar as shipping tracking! My delivery-to-dealer date is still May 10 yet its sitting on a train only 45 minutes away from Winnipeg, after a substantial delay. I learned that the trains tend to stop many times along the way, to offload cargo, so they don't exactly rocket full-tilt to their shipping end points, and they can take obscure routes through small towns, avoiding major centers.

Expecting delivery and PDI on Monday and a call to pick it up - exactly 12 weeks after order date of Feb. 04 and build/ shipping dates of 3/08 and 4/12 respectively.

On a side note, I still have not seen a single '11 Journey in Winnipeg with the new fascia - either on the road or on a dealer lot. My dealer is the largest in the prairie provinces, and based on their inventory and incoming orders, my R/T will be the only '11 to drive off their lot with the new fascia. Their early build R/T's are also disappearing fast.

The old 3.5 has been plagued with head and valve train problems...I hate to say but you're in the company of many others!

I know that I was not expecting SO much car for the price that I had researched before I went for a test drive. I was expecting a much cheaper interior. I just don't see anything inferior about the 2011. I hope that I am not proven wrong....

Yes...fingers crossed...that they have worked most of the bugs out of the 1st gen models. They put a huge amount of development into the pentastar 3.6, and the technical specs and build technology is very impressive. The old 3.5 scares me enough that I don't think I would have rolled the dice on one.

Yeah, but that might mean they are great in ice and snow.

The Journey is the best selling Crossover in Canada. I suspect it's mostly due to the amount of vehicle you get for the price, because by and large Canadians are frugal with their money.

Having the build plant in Mexico is likely Chrysler's smartest move in a long time because you can be sure the labor costs and operating costs are alot less than if it were in the US or Canada. This translates into a lower product cost.

When I shopped around, the Journey R/T was by far the best bang for the buck - best in class engine, best interior, most standard features, and the technology puts the competition to shame.

The sticker price on my R/T is under $34k. To get a comparable AWD V6 Equinox with way fewer standard bells and whistles was pushing $36k. And to boot with the Chrysler discount and money I talked the dealer out of, I only paid $29,270.

Anyway...I digress...

this is true, when i first started checking it a few weeks the ETA was 4/25 but a few days it got bumped to 4/26 and then 4/29, and yesterday it got bumped to 5/2 . it's at the local rail junction, but i just think the shortage of trucks is making it being delayed even more.

Frustrating - isn't it?!

Welcome from Winnipeg. No shortage of Canadian board members in your company!

Hi, I have noticed that on the USA website the premium sound system is Alpine and in the Canada's website its a Boston Acoustics.

Can anyone confirm that they have either an Alpine or Boston Acoustics and if you bought your journey in Canada or USA?

Also, which one do you think is best?

I test drove a Canadian market Crew in Feb and I could have sworn it had the alpine emblems on the door speakers. Not sure what the R/T is going to come through with.

I was wondering if any of you guys could help me figure out my VIN. The dealer said he could only supply me with the last 8 characters: bt551012, and that the last 8 were all you needed. I noticed that 2011MainMango's VIN ended with bt544993. I tried taking the beginning of MainMango's VIN, 3d4pg1fg7, and adding bt551012. The Insight link did not work when I placed that VIN into the link (3d4pg1fg7bt551012). I was wondering if other's VIN's all happen to begin with 3d4pg1fg7 and mine just isn't up on the site yet, or if the whole VIN is truly unique....

Any help would be appreciated,

Aaron

No, you need the entire number. The last 8 numbers are just the build sequence number, the first 8 identify the trim level and possibly order packages and/or equipment.