2009 DODGE JOURNEY engine

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
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NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
• It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could
lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in
and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should
never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, you should always shift the vehicle into
PARK, remove the key from the ignition, and apply the
parking brake. Once the key is removed from the igni-
tion, the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Fur-
thermore, you should never leave unattended children
inside a vehicle.
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transaxle Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to the ON
position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
BTSI Override
There is an override for the BTSI that allows you to move
the shift lever out of the PARK position if an electrical
system malfunction occurs (i.e., dead battery). To activate
the override system, perform the following steps:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and
rotate it to the ON position.
3. Remove the cubby bin liner located in the center
console behind the shift lever.
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Gear Ranges
PARK
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transaxle. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion. Apply
parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transaxle locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an Automatic Transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
CAUTION!
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range as
this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE
Use REVERSE for moving the vehicle rearward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
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NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
DRIVE — 6-Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, use the AutoStick
mode and select the “5” range when frequent transaxle
shifting occurs while using the DRIVE range, such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, (i.e., in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing heavy trailers). Under these
conditions, using the “5” range will improve perfor-
mance and extend transaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build-up.
“D” (Overdrive) — 4-Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, select the “3” range
when frequent transaxle shifting occurs while using the
“D” (Overdrive) range, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, (i.e., in hilly
terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing
heavy trailers). Under these conditions, using the “3”
range will improve performance and extend transaxle life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat build-up.
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“3” (Drive) — 4-Speed Transaxle
This range eliminates shifts into “D” (Overdrive). The
transaxle will operate normally in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd while
in this range. The “3” (Drive) range should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.
NOTE:Using the “3” (Drive) range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transaxle life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
“L” (Low) — 4-Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.CAUTION!
If the transaxle operating temperature exceeds ac-
ceptable limits, the vehicle computer will override
“D” (Overdrive) and “5” range (for 6-speed
AutoStick transaxle) and “3” range (for 4-speed auto
transaxle) by changing shift points. This is done to
prevent transaxle damage due to overheating.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle automatically shifts into 2nd gear
(3rd gear for 6-speed). The transaxle remains in 2nd gear
(3rd gear for 6-speed) despite the forward gear selected.
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PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven to
an authorized dealer for service without damaging the
transaxle.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transaxle can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Restart the engine.
5. Shift into the desired gear range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, authorized dealer service
is required.
AUTOSTICK
— IF EQUIPPED
AutoStickis a driver-interactive transaxle that offers six
manual ratio changes to provide you with more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
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AutoStickOperation
By placing the shift lever one shift-level below the DRIVE
position, it can be moved from side to side. This allows
the driver to select a higher or lower range of gears.
Moving the shift lever to the Left (-) triggers a downshift
and to the Right (+) an upshift. The gear position will
display in the instrument cluster on the transaxle range
indicator.
NOTE:In Autostick mode, the transaxle will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the shift lever to the
Right (+) or Left (-).
AutoStick is deactivated when the shift lever is moved
out of the AutoStick (+/-) position.
AutoStick General Information
•
You can start out in 1st or 2nd gear. The system will
ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
•If a ratio other than 1st is selected, and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
•Starting out in 2nd gear is helpful in snow or icy
conditions.
•Avoid using speed control when Autostick is en-
gaged.
•The transaxle will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached while Autostick is
engaged.
•Transaxle shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostick is engaged.
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•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the transaxle will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however:
If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transaxle will revert to the automatic shift mode and
remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
AutoStickmode and the transaxle will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides on-demand All-Wheel Drive
(AWD). The system is automatic with no driver inputs or
additional driving skills required. Under normal driving
conditions, the front wheels provide most of the traction.
If the front wheels begin to lose traction, power is shifted
automatically to the rear wheels. The greater the front
wheel traction loss, the greater the power transfer to the
rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a pre-emptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
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