hockey_puck

The Pentastar V6 was one of the reasons I bought my Journey. There is no way in H.E. double hockey sticks I'd buy a turbo engine. I tend to keep my vehicles till the floor rusts out and after year 7 any turbo, even with the most care, is likely to have issues and you better get a Brinks truck of money, if it needs repair. I just have a natural aversion to anything that spins at around 100k RPM. Even European turbos with lots of miles tend to have issues. No thanks.

The Pentastar V6 was one of the reasons I bought my Journey. There is no way in H.E. double hockey sticks I'd buy a turbo engine. I tend to keep my vehicles till the floor rusts out and after year 7 any turbo, even with the most care, is likely to have issues and you better get a Brinks truck of money, if it needs repair. I just have a natural aversion to anything that spins at around 100k RPM. Even European turbos with lots of miles tend to have issues. No thanks.

DON'T DO IT! If money is the issue, then shop around and buy the 4 cheapest you can find or even used. Let me make a strong point. If you buy winter tires to propel yourself through deep snow, then you should really consider AWD. What winter tires do best is help you keep control in corners and stopping power. More so, if you have antilock brakes and traction control. If the snow is so deep, and you hear it rubbing the bottom of the car, nothing will help, if you get hung up. I cannot count the number of times over the years I've stopped quickly on a slippery surface and watched my rear view mirror because someone behind is having a huge problem stopping because of 3 (not 4) season tires. Or last winter when we had a lot of icy ruts, the large number of cars spun out into the ditch and as I drove by I can see by just the tread pattern they do not have winter tires. If you live in a snowbelt, and must travel, then I'd highly recommend them, if not. consider local conditions and avoid driving on those crappy days.
Here is a great article from driving.ca
When it comes time for the winter tire install, some folks are still hesitant about the cost. That’s fair, but don’t try to save by installing just two winter tires. Most shops will refuse anyway since liability, should you be in a collision, can come back and bite them in the behind.
Four winter tires are needed according to Transport Canada and all the major tire companies. It is not about increasing tire sales, it is about the safety of the driver and passengers. By using just two winter tires, the car has different grip capabilities at different ends of the car. It is like trying to play hockey on one hockey skate and one broomball shoe. There would be a whole lot of slipping and sliding going on.
The same is true for your car. Imaging going into a slippery corner with the winter tires only on the front. The front tires will have more grip and track into the corner, but the rears won’t have enough grabbing power to make the corner. In this instance, the car will have a rear skid and spin. This is an oversteer skid. If we enter the same corner with the winter tires on the back, the rear of the car is now in control. Turning the steering wheel asks the front tires to turn the car, but the back tires want to keep going straight. This condition is understeer, and the car will just plow ahead straight until it runs out of road.
Even driving a car with the latest, greatest stability management system does not help. All these electronic systems can do is maximize the traction you have, they cannot create traction. They can move the power or braking force to the tire with the most traction, but if only two tires have good traction the system is severely limited in what it can do to save the skid situation.
If cost is that big of an issue, consider looking for less costly winter tires or have a look at Kijiji or Craigslist for some good used rubber.

I bought the 2wd Limited exactly because I wasn't interested in AWD and it's extra cost, weight and just another thing to service. Instead I spent that money on an extra set of alloy wheels and winter tires. I'm more concerned about turning and stopping rather than going. I look at it this way. If the snow is that deep, I'll just stay home. Been using winter tires for years and you'll never pry them from my cold frozen hands........

When you replace rotors and pads, go with high quality aftermarket rather than the OEM stuff. Cheaper and lasts longer. Rock Auto has great prices on this stuff and ships to Canada. And for heavens sake, use ceramic pads and keep your wheels cleaner!

This is regarding the clunk you get (when cold) going from Park to Reverse or Drive.
Now I'll show my age.... Many years ago in the 70's when I bought my first automatic tranny car, an old mechanic whom I used and was brilliant told me to always start my automatic in neutral when the car was cold. He explained that, automatics don't circulate their fluid when in park but do in neutral and shifting from park to drive or reverse, brings the full fluid pressure online suddenly when the oil tends to be a little thicker and cold. He explained this neutral start, helped lubricate the transmission before the higher pressure of drive and reverse. So over the years I got into the habit of always starting that way. Recent vehicles like the Journey allow you to only start in park, but to this day by instinct, once I start up cold, I shift immediately from park to neutral for a few seconds before I move. I have no idea if any of this is true today, but I never get a clunk when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse. We are not talking about more than 10-15 seconds in neutral.
Old habits die hard.....

When you replace rotors and pads, go with high quality aftermarket rather than the OEM stuff. Cheaper and lasts longer. Rock Auto has great prices on this stuff and ships to Canada. And for heavens sake, use ceramic pads and keep your wheels cleaner!

I'm not as old as you (ha!), but I have always done this as well... It's a cold climate thing and your explanation is perfect. Even parking a garage it gets cold enough that I need to do this.

This is regarding the clunk you get (when cold) going from Park to Reverse or Drive.
Now I'll show my age.... Many years ago in the 70's when I bought my first automatic tranny car, an old mechanic whom I used and was brilliant told me to always start my automatic in neutral when the car was cold. He explained that, automatics don't circulate their fluid when in park but do in neutral and shifting from park to drive or reverse, brings the full fluid pressure online suddenly when the oil tends to be a little thicker and cold. He explained this neutral start, helped lubricate the transmission before the higher pressure of drive and reverse. So over the years I got into the habit of always starting that way. Recent vehicles like the Journey allow you to only start in park, but to this day by instinct, once I start up cold, I shift immediately from park to neutral for a few seconds before I move. I have no idea if any of this is true today, but I never get a clunk when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse. We are not talking about more than 10-15 seconds in neutral.
Old habits die hard.....

I load music onto a small flash drive and plug that into the input slot inside the center console. (at the front) Don't know if pre 14's have this feature. Works fine. I convert the files to MP3 and just drag and drop them onto the flash drive.

Happy to help.
H.P.

This is regarding the clunk you get (when cold) going from Park to Reverse or Drive.
Now I'll show my age.... Many years ago in the 70's when I bought my first automatic tranny car, an old mechanic whom I used and was brilliant told me to always start my automatic in neutral when the car was cold. He explained that, automatics don't circulate their fluid when in park but do in neutral and shifting from park to drive or reverse, brings the full fluid pressure online suddenly when the oil tends to be a little thicker and cold. He explained this neutral start, helped lubricate the transmission before the higher pressure of drive and reverse. So over the years I got into the habit of always starting that way. Recent vehicles like the Journey allow you to only start in park, but to this day by instinct, once I start up cold, I shift immediately from park to neutral for a few seconds before I move. I have no idea if any of this is true today, but I never get a clunk when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse. We are not talking about more than 10-15 seconds in neutral.
Old habits die hard.....

With the onslaught of cold weather I finally am using the heated seats and steering wheel. OMG. I love them! I am getting soft in old age....
H.P.

Oooo ooo oooo...... *holds up hand from the back of the class* Rectal Thermometers?

We WILL send you another polar vortex. Unless you surrender, Minnesota (for the hockey) North Dakota (for the oil) and Hawaii (we need a warm spot to go in winter) They'd all make fine Canadian Provinces.

Dear Ma Nature
The winter tires are mounted on their wheels and ready to switch with the 3 season tires, and today the Weather Tech floor liners arrived. I'm ready for whatever you throw at us this winter. Bring it on Bitch!
H.P.

2008 and later minivans

Get any goals? Hell of a lot more important than lights!

Yup they'll fit. Used on both the Journey and Caravan. Tire size to keep speedo accurate is 225/65 17 Way cheaper than buying 19 inch snow tires. Bigger selection too.

DON'T DO IT! If money is the issue, then shop around and buy the 4 cheapest you can find or even used. Let me make a strong point. If you buy winter tires to propel yourself through deep snow, then you should really consider AWD. What winter tires do best is help you keep control in corners and stopping power. More so, if you have antilock brakes and traction control. If the snow is so deep, and you hear it rubbing the bottom of the car, nothing will help, if you get hung up. I cannot count the number of times over the years I've stopped quickly on a slippery surface and watched my rear view mirror because someone behind is having a huge problem stopping because of 3 (not 4) season tires. Or last winter when we had a lot of icy ruts, the large number of cars spun out into the ditch and as I drove by I can see by just the tread pattern they do not have winter tires. If you live in a snowbelt, and must travel, then I'd highly recommend them, if not. consider local conditions and avoid driving on those crappy days.
Here is a great article from driving.ca
When it comes time for the winter tire install, some folks are still hesitant about the cost. That’s fair, but don’t try to save by installing just two winter tires. Most shops will refuse anyway since liability, should you be in a collision, can come back and bite them in the behind.
Four winter tires are needed according to Transport Canada and all the major tire companies. It is not about increasing tire sales, it is about the safety of the driver and passengers. By using just two winter tires, the car has different grip capabilities at different ends of the car. It is like trying to play hockey on one hockey skate and one broomball shoe. There would be a whole lot of slipping and sliding going on.
The same is true for your car. Imaging going into a slippery corner with the winter tires only on the front. The front tires will have more grip and track into the corner, but the rears won’t have enough grabbing power to make the corner. In this instance, the car will have a rear skid and spin. This is an oversteer skid. If we enter the same corner with the winter tires on the back, the rear of the car is now in control. Turning the steering wheel asks the front tires to turn the car, but the back tires want to keep going straight. This condition is understeer, and the car will just plow ahead straight until it runs out of road.
Even driving a car with the latest, greatest stability management system does not help. All these electronic systems can do is maximize the traction you have, they cannot create traction. They can move the power or braking force to the tire with the most traction, but if only two tires have good traction the system is severely limited in what it can do to save the skid situation.
If cost is that big of an issue, consider looking for less costly winter tires or have a look at Kijiji or Craigslist for some good used rubber.

Perhaps you should read this study. Particularly the European and Canadian results were quite significant. Likely due to further north locales, where daylight is winter months is less than say the southern US. I hardly think that they are stupid.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov%2FPubs%2F809760.pdf&ei=xpUgVLunJs3boATVgIGgCg&usg=AFQjCNEYiLVPpBOEXgY2z9V0rxWuVyr1bA&bvm=bv.75775273,d.cGU

You can buy original equipment Mopar TPMS on Ebay for anywhere from 50 bucks and up, for a set of 4. Got 4 last May.

It's been 3 months since delivery and to be honest, not much to report. Only one visit to the dealer and that was for a screw in the middle of a tire that I picked up. It wasn't even leaking air. I just happened to see it when washing the Journey. No mechanical issues at all. I did have to do a bit of extra cleaning due to a bit of a sloppy install of the body side molding, but detailing is a hobby of mine anyway, so not a big deal. There are now 3 coats of wax on it, including doing the door jambs once. There isn't a bug made that will stick to my Journey!
I did change out the black standard carpet floor mats for Lloyd mats which are much thicker and plush. Went for the beige colour, and are far easier to keep clean as those black ones show every speck of grit. Since I have the chrome clad wheels and a huge snow tire advocate, I purchased a set of 17 inch alloy wheels from a recycler. for just a bit more than a standard set of new steel wheels. A note for others thinking of this, 17inch Caravan wheels are identical to Journey wheels which gives a big increase in choices. After a lot of research I plan to purchase the upcoming Blizzak WS 80 tires for our delightful winters. I was thrilled to see that my 2014 came with ceramic brake pads. Keeping the wheels clean is super easy as ceramic brakes give off very little dust and it is white, which doesn't show.
Only thing I find a bit strange is the location inside the centre console for the USB port. I load mp3 favourites on a flash drive and it is a bit of a pain to try to insert into the port. The premium audio system is ok.. I realize some prefer a better subwoofer, but since I don't need to feel my liver vibrate, it is fine for me.
Only one highway trip to Grand Forks N.D. and back. Love the V6 and cruises the 75 mph speed limit on I29 with little effort. Gas mileage exactly as expected and better than the old Caravan, even though I seem to have lead weights on the bottom of my feet.
1st 5k oil change in a few weeks. I don't drive too much.

It's been 3 months since delivery and to be honest, not much to report. Only one visit to the dealer and that was for a screw in the middle of a tire that I picked up. It wasn't even leaking air. I just happened to see it when washing the Journey. No mechanical issues at all. I did have to do a bit of extra cleaning due to a bit of a sloppy install of the body side molding, but detailing is a hobby of mine anyway, so not a big deal. There are now 3 coats of wax on it, including doing the door jambs once. There isn't a bug made that will stick to my Journey!
I did change out the black standard carpet floor mats for Lloyd mats which are much thicker and plush. Went for the beige colour, and are far easier to keep clean as those black ones show every speck of grit. Since I have the chrome clad wheels and a huge snow tire advocate, I purchased a set of 17 inch alloy wheels from a recycler. for just a bit more than a standard set of new steel wheels. A note for others thinking of this, 17inch Caravan wheels are identical to Journey wheels which gives a big increase in choices. After a lot of research I plan to purchase the upcoming Blizzak WS 80 tires for our delightful winters. I was thrilled to see that my 2014 came with ceramic brake pads. Keeping the wheels clean is super easy as ceramic brakes give off very little dust and it is white, which doesn't show.
Only thing I find a bit strange is the location inside the centre console for the USB port. I load mp3 favourites on a flash drive and it is a bit of a pain to try to insert into the port. The premium audio system is ok.. I realize some prefer a better subwoofer, but since I don't need to feel my liver vibrate, it is fine for me.
Only one highway trip to Grand Forks N.D. and back. Love the V6 and cruises the 75 mph speed limit on I29 with little effort. Gas mileage exactly as expected and better than the old Caravan, even though I seem to have lead weights on the bottom of my feet.
1st 5k oil change in a few weeks. I don't drive too much.

Believe me. Journeyman425 details are accurate! Although mine arrived at the dealer a couple days early!