2011 Transmission Slow to Shift on Hills
#1
2011 Transmission Slow to Shift on Hills
Just got a new 2011 Journey SXT - 6 cyl w the 6 speed transmission. I live in a mountainous region and find the drivability quite poor on uphill grades. The transmission is reluctant to down shift. With ever increasing throttle pressure to maintain speed eventually it downshifts hard and begins to accellerate. Lifting the throttle slightly to hold speed constant causes it to upshift back to high gear where it can't maintain speed again. Its impossible to drive uphill at a smooth even speed.
It seems that its probably a fuel economy thing to maintain high gear ratio as much as possible, but its been taken too far such that it effects drivability.
I am sure I won't get satisfaction from the dealer, but it would be nice if there was a way to bring it to the attention of the Dodge technical department.
Anyone else experiencing this?
It seems that its probably a fuel economy thing to maintain high gear ratio as much as possible, but its been taken too far such that it effects drivability.
I am sure I won't get satisfaction from the dealer, but it would be nice if there was a way to bring it to the attention of the Dodge technical department.
Anyone else experiencing this?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Near Sacramento,ca
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Welcome to DF
Then you have the new 3.6 motor. I have ck for TSB and did not find any. And no i haven't seen any problems yet, other than the underdrive compounder bearing. I would have the dealer take a look at it and if they can't find the problem you are having, then call the customer service center.
Then you have the new 3.6 motor. I have ck for TSB and did not find any. And no i haven't seen any problems yet, other than the underdrive compounder bearing. I would have the dealer take a look at it and if they can't find the problem you are having, then call the customer service center.
#5
This vehicle doesn't seem to have an overdrive disable switch ( unless I missed it ), so I am guessing you mean drop it into manual shift mode and select 5. And that does improve drivability during hill climbing. I do resort to manual shifting on hills a lot, but it would still be nice for the automatic shifter to be a little more willing to downshift when needed.
#6
That is what I do in 5th , we recently went to Pittsburgh which to us is hilly and our Caravan was all over the place back and forth out of 6th...I know it's a pain to remember to select 5th as I wish they had and OD off switch. It says to drive in 5th in hilly terrain in the manual somewhere i think , also it's easier on the tranny.
#7
Just got a new 2011 Journey SXT - 6 cyl w the 6 speed transmission. I live in a mountainous region and find the drivability quite poor on uphill grades. The transmission is reluctant to down shift. With ever increasing throttle pressure to maintain speed eventually it downshifts hard and begins to accellerate. Lifting the throttle slightly to hold speed constant causes it to upshift back to high gear where it can't maintain speed again. Its impossible to drive uphill at a smooth even speed.
It seems that its probably a fuel economy thing to maintain high gear ratio as much as possible, but its been taken too far such that it effects drivability.
I am sure I won't get satisfaction from the dealer, but it would be nice if there was a way to bring it to the attention of the Dodge technical department.
Anyone else experiencing this?
It seems that its probably a fuel economy thing to maintain high gear ratio as much as possible, but its been taken too far such that it effects drivability.
I am sure I won't get satisfaction from the dealer, but it would be nice if there was a way to bring it to the attention of the Dodge technical department.
Anyone else experiencing this?
If the tq convertor would just unlock and the engine rev up a little it would help but no it won't do that either.There has to be something Dodge can do for this.
I did fell out the online survey about it and a Dodge Customer Rep called me back but he had no answers and offered no help.
Other then this we love the car.
Thanks for listening and any help.
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#8
#9
I just had my Journey into the dealer for routine maintenance. There was a flash update available for the vehicle computer. ... and good news ... it completely solved the shifting issues. The service advisory didn't mention anything about correcting transmission problems, but it certainly did.
FYI
FYI
#10
Just got a new 2011 Journey SXT - 6 cyl w the 6 speed transmission. I live in a mountainous region and find the drivability quite poor on uphill grades. The transmission is reluctant to down shift. With ever increasing throttle pressure to maintain speed eventually it downshifts hard and begins to accellerate. Lifting the throttle slightly to hold speed constant causes it to upshift back to high gear where it can't maintain speed again. Its impossible to drive uphill at a smooth even speed.
It seems that its probably a fuel economy thing to maintain high gear ratio as much as possible, but its been taken too far such that it effects drivability.
I am sure I won't get satisfaction from the dealer, but it would be nice if there was a way to bring it to the attention of the Dodge technical department.
Anyone else experiencing this?
It seems that its probably a fuel economy thing to maintain high gear ratio as much as possible, but its been taken too far such that it effects drivability.
I am sure I won't get satisfaction from the dealer, but it would be nice if there was a way to bring it to the attention of the Dodge technical department.
Anyone else experiencing this?