The flash updates were for pre-2011, long before econo-mode came out. The econo-mode option basically allows you to enable or disable the flash update.


This tranny design will forever skip 5th upon downshifting on slight hills and upshift into 4th feels will feel like a gear was skipped....the ratios are terrible. These design shortcomings are the result of cobbling a 6spd from a 20+ year old tranny design, as kallsop pointed out. World class automotive companies are largely outsourcing their automatic transmissions from ZF and Getrag. Both these German companies are releasing totally new designs every 5 yrs or so instead of trying Long John Silver's "add-a-gear" approach that Dodge took for decades. Dodge saves a few $K per vehicle on the tranny which is partly why the GC is $10K cheaper than Asian offerings.


It's just the beast...as-is.

 

Yes, it will be interesting to see if they can route the AWD rear driveshaft between the 2nd row bucket seats to retain 100% stow and go without taking a "hit" on frontal impact safety test results. That will present a challenge from a frame/chassis strength standpoint. Losing a star in crash tests would not be a good move.

 

Thanks for all the reply's Lscman! I don't really have much of a problem with the tranny myself...I feel like if I didn't read it on this forum, I wouldn't even notice any jerking. Some other thing's also, like the bucket seats being uncomfortable I don't get, I find them perfectly fine.


I just have another couple of questions. After driving home today I decided to smell the brakes (lol) and none of them smelled like anything...except for the drivers side front, which slightly smelt like burnt rubber. Is it possible that the pads are sticking already? Or is this normal?


Also, maybe 2 or 3 times a day my fiancé has a hard time starting the van...typically it turns over for maybe 3 seconds and starts up. Sometimes when she does it, it will turn over for 5 or 6 seconds and she turns it right off. Also, on occasion it will turn over for the 3 seconds but sound like it's having a slightly hard time...


I've never had this problem starting it...only her. When I start it, I turn the key once and seems to turn over by itself, almost like a push button start. I'm wondering if it's just "user-error"


Thanks!

 

I can't really comment on the brake smell because I don't know how many miles you have (still breaking in?) or the type of driving cycle you had before smelling them (hiils or aggressive driving). If you are concerned about one brake sticking, just compare the temp of the left and right wheel using your hand. They should always be the same temp without exception. Do you have a new 2014 SE van with the little brakes??? What size are your wheels? If they are steel 17's the brakes are big.


As for starting, I thought the system was foolproof. It should crank until it starts. The starter relay should not drop out until it fires even if you release the key fob. This has been the case since 2008, possibly earlier.

 

Well, my fiancé is pretty rough on the brakes/van in general. I guess it could just be from rough braking. It already has about 500 miles on it already. I'll have to put my hand against the wheels and see about the temp.


For whatever reason, sometimes when starting the van it cranks for a little bit...long enough to make you think something is potentially wrong...then it starts up.


Other times it turns over for half a second and starts up right away. It's kind of odd. Maybe that's just the way it is.


I don't actually hold the key down when it cranks; I just turn it once and it does it by itself. I've never had an issue myself.

 

As for starting, I thought the system was foolproof. It should crank until it starts. The starter relay should not drop out until it fires even if you release the key fob. This has been the case since 2008, possibly earlier.


Well, after starting the van a few times myself I think this should be looked into further...

The problem is that it cranks too long, it will crank for 5-10 seconds and if you release the key fob it stops. Put the key back in and it fires right up.

It happens intermittently; and this morning (cold start) it actually did start right up...but it cranked a bit rough like the starter was sticking or something... 99% of the time it starts fine.

What could cause this on a brand new van? A defective part or loose wire?

 

Bought our 2014 Grand Caravan SE for almost $25k. Out the door with tax title plates and financing was roughly $28k. The SE we have has the stowaway seating with third row seats tints and a lil extra options!

 

Hi Fabian...

I think you overpayed!! lol, you pretty much paid sticker price for it...I got several different quotes from area dealerships and took the best one to my local dealership. I think I paid a little over $23k for the van, which I didn't think was a great price...but better than sticker.

I think we have the same van, as mine has the stow n go also. What do you think of yours so far?

We have over 1,000 miles and so far so good..couple minor noises and things, but I think I'm just thinking about it too much.