BUGS

Not sure if this works on Sat Radio or not, but on media (mp3 etc) if your screen is split (album on one side, songs on other) then if you push the toggle switch to the left it will go full screen.

Don't feel bad. I and others were a little while seeing / finding the second outlet. It is not easily seen from the seated position as you may have found out. Nice to have tho ..

If you are asking me if I get trailer sway. No I do not (yet anyway)

If you are not an aggressive driver with a trailer load all you may need to do is change the engine oil a bit more often - like every 4-6 K instead of 10K. The oil temp will tell you if you need a cooler, most times not. I tow 3800 lbs with no appreciable engine temperature rise. The oil is already cooled in lower portion of the radiator and the transmission fluid is cooled by the condensor for the A/C (so my mechanic says). I also found out it will cost approx. $500.00 to install additional oil cooler using Dodge parts.

U-Haul part number 78281 ($140.00 CAN) installs in one hour with minimal skill and tools following OK directions. Does not stick out past bumper cover and is a class III with a 2" receiver. No fascia cutting required, uses existing mounting holes. 4000 lb tow weight, 400 lb tongue weight.

Most times it will reset when you turn off the ignition and restart. The issue is it will happen again. It happened twice a month to mine until I updated the software for the Navigation. If this was purchased new then ask your dealer to check the software version. In North America the most recent version is 8.207 and this did not come available until after April 2009. If you have a 2009 then it was likely built prior to or close to April 2009 and may have the original version which was famous for failure. I have not had a single hard drive hangup since the upgrade. The upgrade package I purchased came with maps update and appearance updates as well. Good luck

Sorry, misunderstood. I am not certain on the weight required. I guess it is one of those things where you try and see if it will tow well without the leveller. The levellers are designed to make the tow more comfortable and are not necessarily required in all instances. Remember there is an upper limit on the tongue weight tho. Seems like 350 400 lbs might be the max for these vehicles.

A very Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel etc etc to all who celebrate and to those that do not, Season's Greetings. Have a safe holiday and a pleasant JOURNEY into 2010 and beyond. Regards Bugs

Tongue weight is not affected by the load leveller. The load leveller just keeps the trailer and tow vehicle level by 'lifting' the tongue which then transfers some of the combined weight away from the ball so that the brakes and steering work more efficiently. It also helps in minimizing vehicle bounce when you hit humps in the roadway. Your hitch will tell you on a tag somewhere and also by the class of hitch, how much tongue weight you can manage. In my case I manage about 400 lbs TW. (which is about 10 % +/- of total tow weight.) Be mindful though that the Mopar hitch by way of its design (angled) may not support a tongue weight of much more than 200 lbs. Which is why they limit them to 2000 lbs. tow weight. Tongue weight should be 10 % of the trailer weight for a trailer to tow properly. It is not advisable to shift too much weight to the rear of the trailer to ease the TW. This will cause swaying while towing and may lift your tow vehicles rear end and limit its braking potential. This is also dependant on the tongue length and the distance to the trailer axle from the tongue. Longer is better for towing ease.

I generally start off in auto. Once I reach cruising speed I switch to manual and go to 5th and adjust from there as required. One is best advised to use the manual mode to downshift when slowing to save on brakes (and we all know how crappy the pads are). If I come to a stop or get to a lower speed I will move it back into auto. I have found that with a heavier load such as this trailer, leaving it in auto will cause it to move into 4th and sometimes 3rd at too high a vehicle speed more often and drive the revs up to close to red line and that is not a good thing.

one of a few web sites showing this product www.autoanything.com/nerf-bars/61A3740A0A0A3030931.aspx

I was in Portugal recently and came across this billboard. My calculations indicate this Journey is costing $52,519.96 Canadian, $49,723.04 USD. Maybe that is why I did not see any on the road there. and the Portuguese Dodge site PDF on this rig. Note only a 144 hp 2.0 l diesel engine and only SXT and RT models www.dodge.pt//media/62670/dodge-journey-folheto.pdf

dry weight is 2809 lbs

Went for annual check up, mechanic found dr side inner tie rod worn and the other loose. Both need to be replaced (30K km). Dealer says most of suspension linked to steering will be replaced under warranty. Takes three hours. Anyone had this issue yet. And outer pad on rear brakes down to 3/32 inch (abnormal wear compared to the rest of the pads - no warranty) I will be moving into ceramic pads soon. update: Oct 23. I got the Journey back today. In the shop for day and a half. Appears there are no suppliers for inner tie rods so they ended up replacing the whole 'rack'. Took over five hours of warranty time. Let's see how long this lasts.

To answer both of your questions. I drive conservatively with a lot of highway driving. That is why I get 10-11 l/ 100km. Now when I am in a 'mood' I will get 12. The Journey is an SXT with 3.5 ltr engine. While towing I generally leave it in auto on the flat runs on the highway but will drop it to 5th and use the Auto stick for hills (up and down). I was indeed surprised at the ability of this Journey when it came to moving this trailer along. This particular model is designed for this type of vehicle as it is generally 1000 lbs lighter than most trailers of like size. (18')

Not much chatter on the forum about large hauling so here it is. Pictures attached. The Journey hauls this pony very well although fuel consumption increassses as one would expect. (From 10 l/100 to 14.) Added 400 lbs to my Journey weight which means the beers have to go in the trailer. Class three hitch installed on the SXT Journey. Its a UHaul make with a 2 inch receiver. I have three trailers and two draw bars. Two bars are two inch ball and the third is a Load Leveller Hitch with a 2- 5/16" ball. I use the 4 pin for the small units (utility and hardtop camper) and the 7 pin harness (electric brakes and trickle charge on the trailer battery) for the Pony.

I looked at this hitch option but had to set it aside due to my towing needs. So I went with the U Haul 4000 lb / 400lb TW. The Mopar wiring harness is set up for 7 pin wiring for electic brakes etc. There is an adaptor available from Mopar to convert to 4 pin if you need or just get a UHaul 7pin/4pin combination outlet. It plugs direct into the Mopar wiring harness. The horizontal hitch receiver was neccessary to accomodate the load leveling / anti sway hitch assembly that I use on my travel trailer. I do not believe the verticle receivers are compatable with the ll/as draw bars. Nice job and write up BTW

I would suggest that if your vehicle came with a regular key then you are stuck with it. The other set up you speak of (Phobe = fob) is completely different in that it relies on a chip programmed to the control modules that recognized the fob as the one to start the vehicle. I am not sure of the cost of 'reconstruction' but I figure it will be very expensive. It will require a new ignition switch, fobs and programming at the very least.

Just updated my unit to latest version. It was released in late April 2009. Version for MyGig is 8.207 (for REU/REX/RE1). Purchased from NAVTEQ direct includes updates for both with clear & easy to follow instructions. It takes a bit over one hour to complete - but - what a difference. They seem to have eliminated a lot of the bugs in the audio (periodic NO AUDIO etc) that was common to some units. The NAV has a different approach to guidance, which so far I am liking more than the original version. When you set the NAV for guidance in the old version, it planned your route and gave directions in the corner with little arrows etc, distance to next turn and the like. With the update it plans your route, continues to offer voice guidance but the real change is here. When you get within a few hundred meters of your direction change, the screen splits in two and the original goes to the left with the right side displaying a blow up live exposure of the area where GPS currently places you. It amplifies the map and shows the streets, hwys etc and shows the route expected with your position moving live on the route that was selected. I found it so much more clear and for the price ($200.00 US) well worth it. Of course the roadmaps and POI have been modernizerd a bit as well. Additional highways and streets are now visible that were recently completed but not shown on the previous version. The update cannot be shared as the disc serial number is specific to your VIN so do not even think of trying to update from someone elses disc. Word of Caution for you who may update...do the Software Update first then the database update. There are two DVD's in the package. For those who are buying a Journey (or other product with NAV) enquire to the version installed before purchase. They should offer you the latest.)

There is all kinds of chatter about updates on lots of sites dealing with MyGig. I have yet to find anything advising of anything newer than 8.032 for the REU. Gracenotes also has an update versio 1084 or something close to that. Most of us have version 881. Does anyone know if there is an update for REU? These unit have a different software program due to joystick operation and no touch screen. I am thinking it may be by flash only through starscan at the sealer.

In the manual you will find directions for adjusting the delay off for the interior lighting. Does yours have the EVIC? (Electronic Vehicle Information Center) If so, you can easily enter that program and make the adjustments you require, otherwise the book has the details for doing it the hard way.

Welcome to the Dodge Journey Family. First... I hope and pray the wildfires have not affected you and yours. Get used to the 13 l per 100km. At 10K km since October in a winter climate I have achieved lifetime average of 12.84 l/100km. Mind you that is in winter conditions which you will not see for another six - eight months or so. First 2000 km averaged 12-13 l/100km. Best ever was 10.2. I have the 3.5 6spd SXT with much the same options except no AWD. I have a nicer color though, although BB was my first choice I settled for the mettalic steele blue which was my 2nd choice. Enjoy the ride.

TOYO Open G02 Plus 225/70R16 (on A M rims from dealer). These are the ones with the crushed walnut shells in the rubber so they grip the ice quite well. Very pleased so far (8000 kms in winter conditions so far)

10W30 approved, does not matter what brand you use as long as it is ASI (I think that is what they call it). The manual also states that you can use synthetic oil as long as it also conforms to the standard.

It was snowing? or there was snow or slush on the road? Likely got some in the wheels and set them off balance. Happened to mine as well once, once the rims warm up form braking etc. the problem will go away. If it happens when there is no snow or hasn't snowed in a few days then I say you might have a problem.