JourneyMan71

I have the 2.4 l, 2009. So far I am not impressed...but then I only have 1200 miles on it so far. I do mostly local city driving. The first tank I got about 15.8. Second tank 17.0 and on a recent highway trip I got 18.3. I do use hypermiling techniques. These are all calculated by the mileage and fill-up method. I do have a scan guage which on my recent highway trip said I was getting as much as 25.5 or so, but it didn't jive with my fill-up method at all. Pretty sure I have the scanguage set right for my engine and all. time will tell.

I was told by the dealer service writer that it can take upwards of 12k miles to get the mileage to level off and get the true numbers. Remember the Journey is a 4000 pound crossover it sits up higher than a sedan and air flow under it causes loss of MPG's. The 2.4L works harder to move the same one than a 3.5L v6. I am sure at least I am hopeful you will get better MPG's the more it is driven. I also use Royal Purple synthetic oil in my Journey. That could help you out as well.

I don't have very many miles on mine yet, but I filled it up when there was about 3/4 of a tank left. For the first 150 miles, mostly city I got about 19 mpg. Then for the next 150, all highway miles (with cruise on 65) I got 26 mpg. I would like to see a slight improvement around the city.

Chris

what size engine? I have 3.5l and get 16 mix,I would love 19 city,lol.

Ok, so my conversation mirror part came in and I went this morning and had it fixed. They said all the Journeys need the fix, at least the 2009 ones,lol.

We have the same problem, and seems to be common according to the dealer. So common infact that the assemblies are on backorder. They've ordered one in for us...the waiting game begins. Hard to brag about the new car to friends with tape holding it togeather...LOL!

It just started to happen to me. Looks like the pin that holds the door in place is to small. I am going to go see my dealer about it.

Yes, the 2.4L is rated at better MPG's, but it must work harder to pull around the weight. The v6 is just right for the cars weight. The small gain in MPG's is not worth (to me) the lost power you will need from time to time.

I would go talk to a stereo shop first. See what they say. I have never heard of not being able to hook up an amp to a stereo. Sounds kind of goofy,but hey stranger things have happened.

I have seen them on Ebay. Go there and check them out.

I went to Kentucky last week for a week vacation. I took the Journey down a very curvy road and used auto stick. It was very sweet. I love the way it handled the turns and down shifting and getting back into the gas was pretty sweet as well.

I love the extra take off power it has in auto-stick. It is a beast,lol

Well, the long awaited Apple OS update 3.0 is out and I have downloaded it. My handsfree car set up is complete. The phone book from my IPhone downloaded and I made several calls through the MyGig system. I am happy now,lol

Welcome and enjoy your Journey

While cleaning the carpet and seats is common sense - all that is required is a vacuum, I was wondering what kinds of products are best for cleaning the interior plastics, as I know that some cleaners (such as 409) are extremely powerful and may damage the journey's interior. But really I don't know, I've never used it because I've been too afraid to. What cleaners should I use? Also, does anybody have any tips for cleaning the instrument panel's buttons and such? Also, tips for cleaning the shift letters? I've noticed dirt/dust tends to conglomerate on those little letters beside the shifter.

I know, I'm helpless. Lol. Thanks in advance!

I would ask the dealer for their advice first. I think MOPAR has a kit that contains Maguires products. On the outside black trim Mothers Back to Black is a very good product.

Posted May 28 2009, 08:12 PM

Mid grade for me too. With today's electronics I really don't think using a lower octane fuel will permantley damage the motor. I am not a mechanic, but this is how I understand how it works.

I think most if not all modern engines (especialy high performance) have a knock sensor installed. It will prevent premature detenation and pinging in the cylinder. Detonation is very bad. It causes more heat and could result in the rod punching a hole in your block. Otherwise known as a window in your block. Detonation is caused by improper fuel octane or poorly tuned engine (air fuel ratio). I am sure there are probably other things too. These appear to be the major causes.

The knock sensor will pull timing or fuel or both from the motor to prevent premature detonation. Again this is my best understanding of this. Maybe someone with more knowledge on the matter can chime in and agree or correct me on the matter.

Using a lower grade should not be a problem. But I would prefer to use the manufactures recomendation. It really is not that big of a difference on cost. I can't quite remember the fuel tank capacity. I think it is 21 gallons. Gas price difference is around .10 cents per gallon. Current gas prices for me are $2.39 for the cheap stuff and $2.49 for mid-grade. For 21 gallons of fuel to fill up is $50.19 and $52.19 respectfully. If you drive 10K miles @ 20 mpg consumption the cost difference is $50 dollars.

Not worth the cost for me to use the cheap stuff.

Thats correct in how the ECU will work with the car, the difference in 87 gas and 89 is that the 89 is HARDER to ignite so it is less likely to predetonate, I'm familiar with all the knock talk because I do tuning with supercharged cars

How about a Journey with a supercharger :rolleyes:

Well, when I was on my trip I only used 89, I started 89 a few fill ups before that. I keep track of all and every fill up. I know how good or bad I will get on my MPG's. I keep track on gas buddy I enter in every time I get gas. I have gained a 1 mile per gallon up from 15.5 mpg, to 16.5 mpg on my trip. I drive alot in the city, and I am guilty of being a spirited driver from time to time. I have a bit over 4,700 miles. It is not broke in yet,so I expect to gain. I use Shell gas except for the few times the dealer put Sunoco gas in it and I did fill up with Chevron one time on my trip. I think a good quality 87 octane gas such as Shell and or Chevron gas. It should be as good as other 89 octane gas from others.

I started a small experiment to see if 89 was better than 87. I drove to Kentucky from my home in Northwest Ohio. I got 21.1 going down and 22 coming back. I have under 5,000 miles on it now. I had 5 passengers and luggage. It is not that bad in my opinion. Kentucky is very hilly anyways. I do not guess anyone gets the sticker MPG down there,lol.

Welcome.

I bought my SXT Journey on Feb.20th. The Sticker was $30,335,Employee price plus,after all was said and done and 4000 for my trade in, I walk away with $21,600,plus 48 months 0% interest. I love my Journey!!!

My wife and I got our Journey about 3 weeks ago. Manufacture date was Jan '09. It's a FWD SXT. We have had almost no issues with it. There are a few things that I'm not crazy about, but for the price it couldn't be beat.

Down Sides:

Me and my wife both have the same phone (LG Chocolate 2) and neither will pair with the hands free

Drivers seat could be more comfortable

Transmission could shift smoother

When folding 2nd or 3rd row they hit the seats in front of the row you're folding

Up sides

Price

got 25.5 MPG on the way up to Ohio and 24 on the way back (more stuff in car on the way home)

rides nice

lots of storage

price

I think we're going to get a rooftop carrier to save interior space while traveling and bug/wind deflectors for the hood and doors.

Overall I'm happy with the Journey. We have been fortunate that nothing major has broken and we haven't had to make any trips to the dealership (knock on wood)

There might be an update to both phones and or your mygig system,I would talk to the dealer about that.

JUST DO IT,lol It is a sweet ride. I have the SXT 3.5L v6,I love it. The more it is broken in the better trans will shift and better MPG's as well. The dealer has said it could take upwards of 12k miles,so that should put it at around 2nd oil change.

After owning three generations of Caravans (1988, 1994 and 1999), the later with 140,000 mi on the odo, I am thinking about buying a Journey SXT or R/T. I am meeting with the salesman on Monday to discuss $$. I am not sure if this vehicle is for me as I am 6'.1" and so used to the minivans. I am just tired of the minivans and need a change...OK folks...talk me into it. I am also not crazy about the tu tone seats, but I guess I can get used to that. I am new here and live on Long Island, NY (35 miles east of NYC).

The only thing I can say is that I love my Journey. I love the way it rides and handles. The kids love the DVD system and wife loves the in floor coolers. I had to buy a dryer for the house and was looking and found one. It was a 7.0 cubic foot whirlpool. I thought I would have to go borrow a pick up,but we took it out of the box and it fit right in the back. It was snug,but it fit. I do not really like the 2tone color aspect for seats, but it does grow on you. So, if you want a cool CUV, it has my vote.

you love the crap tranny?lol

Yes,it works fine and the auto stick is a nice addition. The 6-speed is so far been good. Took me some time to get use to it. I came from my 2007 Caliber with CVT to the 6-speed.

No you do not have to perform any upgrades to the injectors or intake. All new vehicles are equipped with a mass air flow sensor which will automatically adjust your fuel ratio for the amount of air passing through\by it. You would only have to perform modifications to this system if you were going to bolt on major performance upgrades like a super charger.

I am not sure about the Journey,but my 2007 Caliber 2.0L does not have a MAF sensor. I was told Chryslers do not use them. Like I said not sure about the Journey. It being 2 MY newer and all.

Has anyone had problems with their wiper blades leaving some serious streaking on the window, to the point that you might as well just drive with the rain for all the visibility you have?

The cheap wiper blades that came with the vehicle started to come apart and flap all over after just 6 months, so we purchased brand new wipers from Michelin. I'm still getting serious streaking. It seems as though the arm isn't putting enough pressure on the windsheild. Either that or the windsheild is warped.

If you have 12 months or less and 12,000 or less the dealer will replace them. If not the triple edge wiper blades from walmart are good ones.

Maybe, Dodge and rest will be around for a while longer.

So,last friday I decided to do my first oil change and changed it at just over 2100 miles. I used Royal Purple and used the MOPAR oil filter. I was driving around today and topped off my gas tank and after I calculated the mileage I got the best so far with mixed driving 18.6 MPG. I am excited about that.