doubleO7

I have had my R/T for just over a month now, and find there are a few quirks with the infotainment. Nothing to get me rattled enough to say I hate the system or take away from my enjoyment of the R/T, IPOD: When I use the voice command to find a piece of music I like from my IPOD, it goes to the song but immediately skips to the next one. As for alpha listing, versus play list order for albums, I only have one album that should be played in play list order, so not a big deal, but would be nice if there was an update in the future. Satellite radio Another quirk occurs once in a while when I first start up the vehicle, the satellite radio, defaults to 40s on 4. And then for some reason, when I say the command , it tunes in a station that is not preset 7. So, I use the touch screen for preset 7 now. But compared to my friends Lincoln with Sync, I like the system in the Journey much better. Cheers DoubleO7

Thanks for the videos. Very interesting idea having the video camera. It would have come in handy if you had been in an accident when the van with the ADT markings made that abrupt lane change. I think it would have been clearly his fault. Maybe because you don't tailgate, it appeared that most drivers change lanes without signalling. Is that common in Toronto, or are there alot of vehicles with defective signals Out of curiosity sake though, where did you purchase the dash mounted camera? And was it easy to mount? By the way, good choice of music, haven't heard those two tunes in awhile. Cheers DoubleO7

Good call, Burn. I just had to go out and check for myself. I didn't tuck in the cloth tab, but found the latch and like you said, pull it towards you and it untlatched the seat.

Sounds like you had one very nice trip. I've now had my Journey a month and am very happy with my choice. I know what you mean about penastar engine. Just the other day, I was on the freeway, in the "slow lane" cruising along at 110km(68 mph), speed limit is 100km(62 mph. I came up to some slower traffic, so did a shoulder check and changed lanes to go around the traffic, about 10 cars. By the time I got past them, I was over 130 km(80 mph). Wow, it just picked up speed so smoothly, I wasn't aware I was going that fast.

I'm not sure if the seat design changed for the 2011/2012 Journeys, but I looked at mine today. The tab that you pull on is attached to a clip. When you pull up on the tab, the clip releases the seat cushion. If you closed the seat with the tab tucked in, I can't see anyway of getting it open, other then getting the tab out, you may have to make a trip to the dealership. Maybe Dodgecares has a solution or idea.

OOOPS, Navteq has changed the site since I was there last. When it asks what type of navigation system you have, when you select Factory installed, then Dodge, then Journey, the only nav system listed is what I believe is for the 2009/10 Journeys. Garmin doesn't show up. I don't see what type of the type of system in the vehicle would make a difference, but I decided to do my changes using my portable Garmin as my default system. I honestly don't know why they would ask for this info, a map change is a map change regardless of Nav system in vehicle.

Here is a further update on when the turn indicator shows up in the EVIC. For non freeway driving it will appear up to 1.6km (1 mi) before a turn. On the freeway, the turn will appear in the EVIC up to 3 km (1.86 mi).

I was able to set mine up while in my driveway, before heading down to Seattle. When I tapped the traffic/weather icon, I got a list of cites (very limited number of cities). Chose Seattle, and this particular channel (139) also has weather and traffic for San Franciso and San Diego. LA has its own traffic and weather channel. My only complaint is Portland, Oregon is not included on channel 139 along with Seattle.

Stretch Its probably very hard for the mapping companies to keep things up to date, especially with points of interest and new streets and since they have to all of North America its going to take time. I also have a portable Garmin, with lifetime map updates. Here in the lower mainland of BC, Hwy # 1 is going through a major upgrade, new bridge, more lanes, new entrance and exit ramps, some existing entrance and exit ramps are being revised, so until I see these on my portable garmin, I won't be spending the money on an upgrade to the built in GPS. In the past I have contacted Navteq about inaccuracies with their maps. For example, when I would be nearing my house, it would say " you have arrived" one block before I was actually home. This has been corrected, at least I am on the right block now and about 50 meters (165 ft) from home when I have arrived. I have also sent them a copy of a municipal map for a small communty in BC, where they listed the Hwy #, which changed to a street name within the city limits of the small community, therefore I couldn't input the address I wanted. If your interested, here is the Navteq website, you could send them a list of service stations that no longer exist, new Tim Horton locations (you would need the street address) http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/secured/submitDur.do?userType=CONSUMER&language=en#home?isReloaded=true That was a interesting obersvation about the road around the US embassy. Could be a security related, maybe the streets around the Embassy were removed; maybe requested by the US government? Have you tried entering in the US Embassy address to see what happens?

I think what you have said is very valid. Most times brand loyalty gets in the way of careful decision making and lets face it, if they don't try a Journey, they don't really know how good it is. I have to admit, I like Dodge products, but I always compare other vehicles before making a final decision. For me it was four things that swayed me to stick with Dodge and go with the Journey. 1. The Penastar engine. Lots of power when needed 2. The comfortable seats (I was able to get an extended test drive on one, and usually after 45 minutes of continous driving my right knee starts to ache, in the Journey that was not the case) 3. Very classy looking interior.(others looked like they were out of a space ship with so many buttons and switches) 4. Value for my money (its a well priced vehicle with a lot of features and the options are reasonably priced compared to the compitetion).

Redtomatoman Its to bad that its selling poorly down in the US. I agree with you, the Journey kicks ass. Its sad that people are so set on snob appeal, but I dont; think BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus are its main competitors. Below is a link comparing SUV sales for June in the same category as the Journey ( for both the US and Canada). I can't understand why the Ford Escape and Chev Equinox sell so well. When looking for my new vehicle, before I made my final decision to stick with Dodge, I looked at both of these vehicles as well as the Kia, Hyundai and Subaru. The Journey just ticked off all right boxes in things I wanted in a SUV, the others (with the exception of the Subaru Outback), didn't even come close to doing that. Windancer In the Canadian sales section, you will see that the Escape outsells the Journey. But since the Escape is only a 5 seater, Chyrsler is correct in its statement that the Dodge Journey is the best selling 7 passanger SUV in its class. http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/search/label/Small%20SUV%20Sales?max-results=5 Bigstr I think another resason we so many Journey here in Canada, not only has to do with sales on a per capita basis, but on how the population is distrubted in Canada compared to the US. I believe if my memory serves me correct, more then 90% of the populaton of Canada lives within 320km/200 miles of the border which forms a narrow band compared to the geographical distrbution of the population in the US.

Last week, I went to Washingston state just south of us here in BC, and used the Nav for the first time. I wasn't aware that the turns showed up in the EVIC display, and was pleasantly surprised when the turns showed up there. The turns showed up about 1.6KM (1 mile) before the turnoff and was displayed continually on the EVIC until the turn was completed. Found it particularly nice when we had to go through the roundabouts, as I knew way ahead of time which exit to take.

I thught it would be a good idea to post a link to a conversion calculator that allows members of this forum to convert liters/100KM to US gallons and vice versa. Since the majority of the members are from either Canada and the US, this should make it easier to understand what each person is getting in terms of mileage. http://calculator-converter.com/l_100km_mpg_convert_mpg_to_l_per_100_km.php

I have had my Journey R/T (5 seater) for two weeks now and have filled it up 3 times. Each time I was about 1/2 a tank, but when I see fuel at a lower price, I stop and fill. Please note that any figures in MPG were measured in US gallons and not Imperial gallons, for our friends in the US. The EVIC was a bit more optimistic in regards to l/100km then what the actual mileage was. The first fill, showed 12.4l/100km (18 mpg) actual was 13.0/100km (19.12 mpg). Vehicle had 40km on it when I picked it up and filled it for the first time. Driving was 40% city 60% rural roads(no freeway driving or speeds over 80km (50mph) Second fill showed 11.4l/100km (20.6 mpg) on the EVIC, actual mileage was 12.0l/100km(19.6 mpg) Driving was 35% city, 65% rural and freeway. The initial 500km (300mi) break in period was surpassed so some freeway driving was included. Top speed 100km(60mph) Third fill showed 10.9L/100km(21.6 mpg). Actual was 11.0L/100KM(21.3MPG). Driving was 30% city, 70% rural, not much freeway). Considering I am currently breaking the vehicle in, I am not unhappy with the mileage.(but then again, I know the mileage isn't going to be that great compared to a smaller vehicle) I'm lucky that I live on the edge of town, only have to drive about 1.6km (1 mile) to the south or east and I am driving in rural areas, so city driving is usually not a significant amount unless Mrs DoubleO7 has me on shopping trips.

Caper I ended up getting a smoked hood deflector. I wanted to get the deflector right away, and with the Storm grey colour, after much thought, decided the smoke colour went best with this paint choice.

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.

I finally got my Journey R/T, Saturday, June 16th.. It only took 136 days. I'm head over heels with excitement. Took the opportunity to start breaking it in, with a road trip through the countryside. For the first 100 km (60mi), I was basically travelling through the suburbs and then some country backroads where speeds ranged from 60 to 80km/hr. Have so say, I'm impressed and taking a line for a MacDonalds commercial " I'm loving it". So the trip has been a combination of city/country driving. Everything feels solid, can hardly wait until I get over the 500km (300mi) initial break in period, so I can actually start driving it. At the moment the EVIC is showing 11.7L/100KM (19 mpg). I don't know how accurate the EVIC gauge is, but I will do the math long hand when I fill up, I'm sure the consumption will be more. However, based on the figures and the engine not being fully broken in, I not complaining. I don't think I ever got better then 13/L/100KM, for the same type of driving as described above, with my Grand Caravan with the 3.8L engine. I know it will be harder on gas when the majority of driving is in the city, but I was aware of that fact before ordering. Its been raining for the first two days and now its finally clearing up, so it needs a wash already and then some detailing. Sorry, I won't be posting photos. Cheers DoubleO7

I ordered mine Feb 2nd, 2012, its now June 14th, 2012, still not in my possession, however, I recieved notice that it is close, should be at the dealer next week (a one week futher delay by the brief rail strike in Canada). I am at 133 days as of today which works out to 4 months and 12 days. I think i have been more then patient. I ordered this vehicle in the winter, and now its mid model year and almost summer. I have already talked to the salesperson and informed him that there are people on this forum that have ordered in March and are already driving their Journeys, so I would like to know where the delay has occured. I remember there was one thread that said when the vehicle enters buld statur it can sit up to 60 days, If thats the case, then I can see that is out of the dealerships control, but if I find that the person who orders the vehicles, didn't put the order in for a few weeks after I signed the deal, I will be asking for some compensation. I had three possible private sales in May for my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan and all have fallen through because, I couldn't tell them when the vehicle would be available. I was going to get considerably more then what the dealer would give me on a trade in, so I wanted to go that route. Now, if I can't find a buyer by next week, I will have no choice but to accept their offer. Now if my salesperson really believes in customer service, then he should go to bat for me, So we will be testing that out next week.

When I went to the 2011 Auto Show, I put a suggestion in that they should have put the heated steering wheel in the Journey then. The Dodge Grand Caravan for 2011 had it, and I said the R/T AWD should have had it, as its a vehicle that I think most people would be taking to the ski slopes. Looks like they finally got it right. I was really debating earlier this year, should I wait until 2013, but decided to go ahead and get a 2012. Now if it can only be retrofitted in the future? As for the other changes, it good to see the other models get upgrades which to me makes an appealing vehicle all the more appealing, and the price drop just adds the icing on the cake.

Caper Here is Stampedes answer to my email Hello: Sometimes items have been added to a product line or are available through special order. Give us a call, place the order and we'll do our very best to convince the factory to send you one. Let me see, I want to order the more exoensive hood delflector, which probably has a higher profit margin also, and they have to be convinced?

Caper I have e-mailed Stampede today aksing why the website doesn't show the deflector as being available in chrome. I have quoted the part number and indicated that it was from an existing hood deflector that has been installed on a 2012 Journey, with photographs that prove its available. I will interested to see what their response is.

Lytefall Since you have the 3rd row seating, were the seats down when you were hauling the sand, or did the sand fit behind the third row? I was thinking if the third row is down when the rattling is taking place, it could be the seat belts clips that hang down from the side that could cause the rattling noise. Just a thought, as my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan, does the same thing once in awhile if the clips are below the level of the window area.

AstralRT Thanks for your explanation. Since I haven't got my R/T yet, I wasn't aware that there would be a problem with the lights coming on when you use your windshield washer. . I can see what you mean by annoying if your dash lights dim for no reason other then turning the windshield washe feature.Hmmm, I may have to re-think the auto on feature, and just turn them on manually when conditions call for such lighting. By the way, thanks for not taking offence to what I wrote, as my comments were meant to be general in nature and not directed at anybody on the forum. Psyke As for the safety, and DRLs, its more about the rear lights coming on with the headlights on, as this makes you more visible to the traffic behind. Here on the WEsT Coast it gets very rainy at times and with a lot of truck traffic on the roads, there is alot of spray which can really pay havoc with ones ability to see the vehicles ahead when only the DRLs on, as the rear tailamps are not lit. You are correct, there are many times when lights are not needed if the driving visiblity is not hampered with the rain.

Why would you turn off what I think is a fantastic safety feature. In dark rainy conditions or in conditions where there is a lot of spray from the cars around you and yourself, this feature not only turns on the headlights but the rear lights as well. You may thinkg its not helping you because you don't see any better, but helps that other drivers see you and isn't being more visible to others in less then perfect driving conditions more important. As someone who had driven professionally some years ago, its annoys me to no end that people don't turn on their headlights when its raining, so I am going to disagree with you on this feature being annoying. Mine won't be disabled thats for sure.

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.