kboy00 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) Hello all! Just bought our first new car as a family. 2014 Dodge Journey R/T AWD. Quite pleased thusfar! I had a couple questions... 1. I have been trying to find specifics on the AWD system in the DJ. Do you know how much power (percentage) goes to the back tires when "slippage" is detected? Additionally, do you know how long it takes to "kick-in" or how long it will stay in AWD? No concerns, just wondering. Thanks. 2. Anyone had any problems with spillage or getting things stuck in the little holes of the perforated leather seating? I must have sat in something and it dried inside some of the perforated holes. I tried to wipe it off, but it dried in the little hole! Eventually we took a little pin and took care of it, but seemed a bit labor intensive. Suggestions? Experiences? 3. We have the free one year subscription to Sirius radio with Travel Link. Do you know... can you keep Travel Link for the $2 bucks a month without renewing the radio portion? We like the radio stations well enough, but being able to check fuel prices, the weather, movie times, and sports is quite awesome! 4. I have been riding in a Ford for work and they have a blind spot mirrior in the upper-left hand corner of the driver rear-view mirror. You can buy something comparable and put it on the mirror with foam tape. Has anyone done this? (It is the frog-eye looking lens). If so, where did you put it on the mirror? Different ones are recommending different spots. Just wondered... 5. With the SD card and USB slots...can you only play music? Can you view pictures? I heard you cannot watch video clips that are stored to them, but wondered about the music. Is there a max size for the SD card or USB key? I know certain android-type tablets only allow up to 32 gig external memory. Additionally, I am quite impressed with the attention to detail with regard to making the car kid friendly. We made sure to get the build in booster seats and drop-down 9" screen for the DVD player. Plus, the little stow-and-go options in the second row and under the passenger seat are genius! Thanks everyone! Edited February 7, 2014 by kboy00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journeyman425 Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) Here is a discussion of the AWD system from the service manual, which I found to be quite interesting and informative: The all-wheel-drive system requires no driver input or control. Under most driving conditions, it is passive and power is transmitted to the front wheels alone. The system functions to optimize traction and handling under the following conditions: Anticipates slip by responding to pedal position unlike all-wheel drive systems that rely on pumps or viscous fluids to transfer torque, the system requires no front-to-rear slippage for activation. This allows the system to transfer torque in response to accelerator pedal position. If the driver is asking for a lot of power, the system immediately starts clamping the Electronically Controlled Coupling (ECC), transferring a high percentage of power to the rear wheels. This avoids front wheel slippage, as power to propel the car is transmitted through all four tires. This mode of operation is called open-loop operation in that there is no feedback to affect the torque transfer. Modulates torque to optimize traction on slippery surfaces a second, closed loop, operating mode uses feedback from the wheel-speed sensors to determine the appropriate torque transfer. When the front wheels slip, the all-wheel-drive electronic control module tells the ECC to start clamping, sending power to the rear wheels. Attempting the same aggressive launch described above with the front wheels on ice and the rear wheels on dry pavement, the ECC sends even more torque to the rear wheels to minimize slippage and launch the vehicle. Both modes are always active and the maximum of the two is chosen. Power to the rear wheels is modulated during lost of traction while traveling at freeway speeds; for example, hydroplaning on a puddle of water, will send very little power to the rear wheels because the controller knows at those speeds a lot of power is not needed at the rear wheels. Prevents binding during low-speed turns a third condition, which is independent of the others, uses the ESP steering angle sensor to determine when the vehicle is turning in a tight circle. This condition causes the electronic control module to reduce torque to the rear wheels to prevent binding in the driveline. The electronic control module is always checking for this condition as well. Influences handling at moderate speeds. The AWD system is used to influence vehicle dynamics. Other manufacturers limit AWD to aiding traction or providing off-road capability. They concentrate on launching the vehicle or going off road at speeds up to about 25 mph (40 km/hr). Above that speed range, they use it to limit wheel slip for traction. Additional ECM calibration controls torque to the rear wheels for improved handling in the 25-65 mph (40-105 km/hr) range. In this speed range, the system utilizes torque to the rear wheels during cornering with the throttle open to make the car turn more easily – make the handling more neutral. This is more readily accomplished with an electronically controlled system, than with viscous-coupling or gerotor systems that require some degree of front-to-rear slip to transfer torque to the rear wheels. Above 53 mph (113 km/hr), the control strategy provides minimal torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions to aid fuel economy. Works with ESP and Traction Control the electronic control module also interfaces with the ESP and traction control systems. The interface allows the ESP system to use the ECC to help gain control of the vehicle. For this purpose, torque transmitted to the rear wheels by the ECC can be reduced. The AWD system is not traction control. It only works on situations where front-torear traction varies, for instance, front wheels on ice, rear wheels on dry pavement or climbing steep grades. AWD does not aid side-to-side traction. ESP does that through brake intervention. 2) Spillage on the seats - Mopar makes a product called "Total Clean" which is very effective on the interior. Not sure if it will hasten removing spillage from the perforations in the seats, but that should not be an issue unless the substance is something like milk which will reek if left unattended! 3) Your best bet is to call Sirius directly and ask if you can renew Travel Link only. I suspect that it is not available separately, but they *should* be able to tell you. It might take a couple of calls; their knowledge varies widely with the person you happen to connect with... 4) I have never had the blind spot mirrors on my car. If possible, park another vehicle alongside your Journey on the passenger side in the driveway and orient it in the blind spot when you park it. Have someone move the mirror about on the glass while you sit in the driver's seat until you have the best view before you permanently adhere it to the glass. 5) I'll get back to you on this one! I *think* you can only play music but honestly, I've not tried a photo card in the slot to see what happens. You can play movies and photo cd's in the CD drive, but only if the gearshift lever is in Park. Congratulations on your purchase. What a great first family car! They borrowed a few pages from the Grand Caravan playbook with the kid-friendly attention to detail for sure. We have two boys and this car is quite perfect for us. The storage and use of space is very well thought out and its utility belies the vehicle's size. Best of luck with yours and welcome to the forum! Edited February 8, 2014 by Journeyman425 kboy00 and rolly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTSGUY Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Ive attached small round blind spot mirrors on my Journey. I put them in the top out corner and they are adjustable even after you attach them. They work great for me. kboy00 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) Welcome to the forum and congrats on the purchase. First thing I do on a car is put on blind spot mirrors. Driver and passenger. Any auto parts store sells them, along with wallyworld and other places. They attach with double sided foam tape. I put them in the center of the outside edge. It's all personal preference. You will get used to using them wherever you put them. Edited February 8, 2014 by jkeaton kboy00 and im2techy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to Dodge Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Good luck with your Journey, and welcome to the forum. That white R/T is looking nice! kboy00 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolly Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Congratulations and welcome to the forum. Adjusting your side mirrors properly to avoid blind spots helps. Most people set up their mirrors in such a way that they see more of the side of their vehicles than they should. Here is a link that gives you some good tips. It takes a little getting used to at first, but it really does make a difference. kboy00 and im2techy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kboy00 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) sorry...posted twice. Edited February 8, 2014 by kboy00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kboy00 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Here is a discussion of the AWD system from the service manual, which I found to be quite interesting and informative: The all-wheel-drive system requires no driver input or control. Under most driving conditions, it is passive and power is transmitted to the front wheels alone. The system functions to optimize traction and handling under the following conditions: Anticipates slip by responding to pedal position unlike all-wheel drive systems that rely on pumps or viscous fluids to transfer torque, the system requires no front-to-rear slippage for activation. This allows the system to transfer torque in response to accelerator pedal position. If the driver is asking for a lot of power, the system immediately starts clamping the Electronically Controlled Coupling (ECC), transferring a high percentage of power to the rear wheels. This avoids front wheel slippage, as power to propel the car is transmitted through all four tires. This mode of operation is called open-loop operation in that there is no feedback to affect the torque transfer. Modulates torque to optimize traction on slippery surfaces a second, closed loop, operating mode uses feedback from the wheel-speed sensors to determine the appropriate torque transfer. When the front wheels slip, the all-wheel-drive electronic control module tells the ECC to start clamping, sending power to the rear wheels. Attempting the same aggressive launch described above with the front wheels on ice and the rear wheels on dry pavement, the ECC sends even more torque to the rear wheels to minimize slippage and launch the vehicle. Both modes are always active and the maximum of the two is chosen. Power to the rear wheels is modulated during lost of traction while traveling at freeway speeds; for example, hydroplaning on a puddle of water, will send very little power to the rear wheels because the controller knows at those speeds a lot of power is not needed at the rear wheels. Prevents binding during low-speed turns a third condition, which is independent of the others, uses the ESP steering angle sensor to determine when the vehicle is turning in a tight circle. This condition causes the electronic control module to reduce torque to the rear wheels to prevent binding in the driveline. The electronic control module is always checking for this condition as well. Influences handling at moderate speeds. The AWD system is used to influence vehicle dynamics. Other manufacturers limit AWD to aiding traction or providing off-road capability. They concentrate on launching the vehicle or going off road at speeds up to about 25 mph (40 km/hr). Above that speed range, they use it to limit wheel slip for traction. Additional ECM calibration controls torque to the rear wheels for improved handling in the 25-65 mph (40-105 km/hr) range. In this speed range, the system utilizes torque to the rear wheels during cornering with the throttle open to make the car turn more easily – make the handling more neutral. This is more readily accomplished with an electronically controlled system, than with viscous-coupling or gerotor systems that require some degree of front-to-rear slip to transfer torque to the rear wheels. Above 53 mph (113 km/hr), the control strategy provides minimal torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions to aid fuel economy. Works with ESP and Traction Control the electronic control module also interfaces with the ESP and traction control systems. The interface allows the ESP system to use the ECC to help gain control of the vehicle. For this purpose, torque transmitted to the rear wheels by the ECC can be reduced. The AWD system is not traction control. It only works on situations where front-torear traction varies, for instance, front wheels on ice, rear wheels on dry pavement or climbing steep grades. AWD does not aid side-to-side traction. ESP does that through brake intervention. 2) Spillage on the seats - Mopar makes a product called "Total Clean" which is very effective on the interior. Not sure if it will hasten removing spillage from the perforations in the seats, but that should not be an issue unless the substance is something like milk which will reek if left unattended! 3) Your best bet is to call Sirius directly and ask if you can renew Travel Link only. I suspect that it is not available separately, but they *should* be able to tell you. It might take a couple of calls; their knowledge varies widely with the person you happen to connect with... 4) I have never had the blind spot mirrors on my car. If possible, park another vehicle alongside your Journey on the passenger side in the driveway and orient it in the blind spot when you park it. Have someone move the mirror about on the glass while you sit in the driver's seat until you have the best view before you permanently adhere it to the glass. 5) I'll get back to you on this one! I *think* you can only play music but honestly, I've not tried a photo card in the slot to see what happens. You can play movies and photo cd's in the CD drive, but only if the gearshift lever is in Park. Congratulations on your purchase. What a great first family car! They borrowed a few pages from the Grand Caravan playbook with the kid-friendly attention to detail for sure. We have two boys and this car is quite perfect for us. The storage and use of space is very well thought out and its utility belies the vehicle's size. Best of luck with yours and welcome to the forum! Thanks for all the answers! Great information! The AWD sounds quite thought out. p.s. The heating steering wheel has been great for the winter. My Aunt has a DJ and she said it's the best part of her DJ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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