redtomatoman

When I think about a how to area, I think of an area that is dedicated to users documenting their projects: how to change the oil, how to replace your tpms, how to remove the dash, or any other thing that someone figured out. I think how to use the forum is ok, but users sharing how to do something on one's DJ should be the spirit of the section. I'm not so sure involving $$ is the best idea.
Peace.

You make some very good points Caper. I see that type of driving/braking all the time. Myself, I see a red light ahead, the foot comes off the accelerator, and I coast up to the light. More times then not, the light turns green and I haven't had to come to a stop. Not only does this save wear and tear on the brakes, but I get better gas mileage in town because I don't have to start up from a full stop. I've been lucky I guess, I have never had anybody give me the "horn."
I also make use of the autostick on hills, using compression braking instead of the brakes.
I guess time wil tell when I get my Journey, if driving the same way will help reduce/ eliminate the excessive brake wear others are experiencing.

Perfectly stated.

Who cares?!? 1967 1936? Big deal. Haters suck. C'mon Forbes, print your opinion for the best cars, the best caviar, the best golf bags, the Mercedes Jaguar shootout, but don't hate damnit. If you want to tell everyone that Jaguars are great and maintenance free, then feel free. Sounds like a great article.
Forbes editors, please don't look down your nose at me and other journey owners like you're too good to drive a dodge. Dicks.

I'm also sorry for your problems. If feel your pain on the hate for the vehicle you love. Long story short, I went through some challenging times with my Dakota. I toughed it out now I'm glad I did. Best of luck to you.
Peace.

You can remove the shift knob yourself in about 1 minute. I replaced mine with the kool Mopar T-shifter. In total, it took about 5 minutes. I have photos in the photo gallery. Hope that answers your question.
Peace.

Don't forget we are also using winter gas formulation
at this point in time = worse L/100km .

I'm no mechanic, but as I said above, I think K&N filters are probably not effective. My opinion. I think they very likely only treat the driver and do nothing for the car. If Chrysler could gain 1-2 MPG and increase HP by doing nothing other than copying K&N, they would do it, and this discussion would never occur anywhere. Placebo affect is strong. I am partial to objective measurements rather than anecdotal recommendations. That's why I use paper filters and change when necessary.
Peace.

I have had my 2011 for a year now. Almost no problems (one electrical problem fixed by dealer). No brake issues that I am aware of. Love the vehicle, plenty of power, quiet, great handling. I have been getting 25-26 mpg on the highway. Vehicles are like anything else, you roll the dice. I believe that odds are in your favor with a 2011 though. Good Luck.
Peace.

onecrazyfoo4u
In the interior of BC (which is the province I reside in) there is a community called Osoyoos, which is right on the US/Canada border.. Believe it or not this area is the northern tip of the Sonara Desert. Not uncommon for the temperatures in the summer to reach 40C or just over 100F.

Although I was unsuccessful at removing the headrests due to warnings of airbag risks by DodgeCares, I finally did figure out how to get the center console out. I subsequently had that embroidered with the Journey and R/T logos. Looks pretty sweet. Nice way to take the interior up a notch. I have uploaded images of the console both before and after installation in my Journey. I am out of file space to attach images to a post. The images can be found in my redtomatoman photo album.
Anyone interested in embroidery can contact Jina's Sew Simple Embroidery. Email address and an album of their work is below (couldn't figure out how to paste the hyperlink into the post - just paste into your email or browser address line). Jina and Rick are absolutely great people who do great embroidery work. I couldn't be happier with the way the console came out! They worked with my all the way through the project as I created my own custom Journey logo design that they were able to recreate on my console. This project is the first Journey they have embroidered. They can do almost anything. . . The only catch is that they have to be able to uninstall the upholstery. I wanted to do my headrests but it did not seem possible.
Peace.
jinasse@sbcglobal.net
http://s135.photobuc...s/q150/jinasse/

Nope. When I turn off Gracenote in my 2011, I get no album art. I have not gone the extra mile to be sure that my album art is absolutely correct like generaltso, but I do have album art on all my iPod files. I can live without album art so it doesn't make me crazy, but if album art would show reliably, it would be super cool. Instead, the stereo system is just adequate. It plays music and sounds good. When I turn Gracenote on, I get some album art, but some of my file names are goofy and some music is listed incorrectly. For me, I'd rather be able to reliably use the music search function in Uconnect instead of having occasional album art. Play with your stereo. If you discover anything, please let us all know.
Minimally, a Gracenote update is needed from Chrysler. The solution to this problem is to update the Uconnect software to use the image information within the music files unless the Gracenote option is selected by the user. I'm no computer programmer, so I don't know how difficult that is. BUT, from the user's prospective, that is the solution to this problem.
Chrysler is aware of the problem and the user complaints. Hopefully they are working on a solution. And hopefully, that solution will be applicable to our "older" Uconnect systems and not just for the new models. Time will tell. Until then, I have an adequate stereo system. Overall, I love my Journey though.
Peace.

You can adjust the volume of the nav voice only when the nav voice is speaking. While the nav voice is giving a command use the radio volume dial to adjust the voice volume and the system will remember that setting.
Peace.

Has anyone learned anything about the new mopar mods that adorn the 300HP 2011 avenger rally car? Below are some of the specs of the rally car.
Dodge Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine
Mopar tower-to-tower cross-car brace
Mopar cold-air intake
Mopar Cat-Back Exhaust w/Magneti Marelli tips
Mopar/Magneti Marelli high-performance ECU with TC, DBW, V V T
So far, mopar has been developing a widely available CAI for the 3.6L pentastar in some vehicles, but has left the Journey off their list of compatibility. Not sure if that is due to engine compartment space or actual compatibility (sensors, ECU, etc) I am cautiously interested in the CAI due to water concerns, but the ECU and exhaust mods sound great. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has seen anything. . .
Peace.

Journey!
http://www.autonet.ca/auto-news/automotive-industry-news/2011/10/28/car-of-the-year-category-winners/
Peace.

OK. My 2 cents. . .
I am not a real tech needy guy. I just started playing with the VR features of my 2011 R/T. I have the 8.4 Nav.
First , the VR for the phone works great. Second, It would be nice to have a "Navigate to. . . " command. I personally don't need any other VR features.
Given the above disclaimer, I am still really confused about the level of disappointment regarding VR control of music. To me, its sort of like needing to control your TV with VR rather than reaching for the remote. I do understand that there are times when searching for an artist on the touchscreen is dangerous, but one should ask themselves the question,
"Should I really be trying to change my music right at this time when my driving situation requires so much of my attention that I cannot even navigate the browse function on the screen safely?"
The other thing I can't understand is 2012 envy. Every single year, vehicles come with some upgrades. 2012 is no different. The functionality of the 2012 does not seem that much better.
For us 2011 drivers, this is the way I see it: Change your music on the screen when its safe. If you really need Nav, pull over, spend 1 minute entering your Nav data, and arrive safely without damaging your Journey or, God Forbid, harming your family as you rear-end a garbage truck.
I am not condoning false advertising nor mis-information in owner's manuals, but things are how they are.
Overall, I commend Chrysler for the 2011 Uconnect system as well as improving functionality for the 2012. IMHO, the 2011 Journey glass is not only 1/2 full, its 95/100 full.
Peace.