2020 DODGE JOURNEY engine

STARTING AND OPERATING 159
(Continued)
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
(B
ELOW –22°F OR −30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these
temperatures, use of an externally powered
electric engine block heater (available from an
authorized dealer) is recommended.
IF ENGINE FAILS TO START
If the engine fails to start after you have
followed the "Normal Starting" or "Cold Weather
Operation" procedure it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than
15 seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in
case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition
key in the RUN position, release the accelerator
pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
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 the engine, 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 must be plugged in at
le

ast one hour to have an adequate effect on
the engine.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under
t h

e hood between the headlight assembly and
the Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuse Box)
on the driver's side of the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid
into the throttle body air inlet opening in an
attempt to start the vehicle. This could
result in flash fire causing serious personal
injury.
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle
to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission cannot be started
this way. Unburned fuel could enter the
catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery in
another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. Refer to
“Jump Starting Procedure” in “In Case Of
Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
continuously crank the engine for more than
25 seconds at a time. Wait 60 seconds
before trying again.
WARNING! (Continued)
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block
heater cord before driving. Damage to the
110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
5

160 STARTING AND OPERATING
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the
engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
( 5

00 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
s p

eeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are
d e

sirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration
w i

thin the limits of local traffic laws contributes
to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle
acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and
should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the
fa
ctory is a high-quality energy conserving
type lubricant. Oil changes should be consistent
w i

th anticipated climate conditions under which
vehicle operations will occur. For the
recommended viscosity and quality grades,
refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical
Specifications”. NOTE:

A new engine may consume some oil during its
fi
rst few thousand miles (kilometers) of opera -
tion. This should be considered a normal part of
t h

e break-in and not interpreted as a problem.
Please check your oil level with the engine oil
indicator often during the break in period. Add
oil as required.
PARKING BRAKE
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to
leave the transmission in PARK.
The foot operated parking brake is located
b e

low the lower left corner of the instrument
panel. To apply the parking brake, firmly push
the parking brake pedal fully. To release the
parking brake, press the parking brake pedal a
second time and let your foot up as you feel the
brake disengage.
Parking Brake

When the parking brake is applied with the
i g

nition switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in
the instrument cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:
When the parking brake is applied and the
transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake
Warning Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is
detected, a chime will sound to alert the
driver. Fully release the parking brake before
attempting to move the vehicle.
This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake
application.
CAUTION!

Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight
Mineral Oil in the engine or damage may result.

STARTING AND OPERATING 161
(Continued)
(Continued)
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade. For vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, apply the parking brake before
placing the gear selector in PARK, otherwise the
load on the transmission locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the gear selector
out of PARK. The parking brake should always
be applied whenever the driver is not in the
vehicle.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substi
-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply the
p a

rking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child
or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
gear selector. Do not leave the key fob in or
near the vehicle, or in a location accessible
to children, and do not leave the ignition of
a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go
in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is fully disen -
gaged before driving; failure to do so can
l e

ad to brake failure and a collision.
Always fully apply the parking brake when
leaving your vehicle or it may roll and cause
damage or injury. Also, be certain to leave
the transmission in PARK. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to roll and cause
damage or injury.
WARNING! (Continued)CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” remains on with
the parking brake released, a brake system
malfunction is indicated. Have the brake
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel -
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
c o

uld lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
5

162 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal while
s h

ifting out of PARK.
IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK
Your vehicle is equipped with a Ignition Park
Interlock which requires the transmission to
be in PARK before the ignition can be turned to
t h

e OFF mode. This helps the driver avoid
inadvertently leaving the vehicle without placing
the transmission in PARK. This system also
locks the transmission in PARK whenever the
ignition is in the OFF mode.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT
I
NTERLOCK SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake
Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) system that
holds the transmission gear selector in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be
in the ON/RUN mode (engine running or not)
and the brake pedal must be pressed.
Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with
all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle
while the engine is running. Before exiting a
vehicle, always come to a complete stop,
then apply the parking brake, shift the
transmission into PARK, and turn the igni -
tion OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF
m o

de, the transmission is locked in PARK,
securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure
the ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the
key fob from the vehicle, and lock the
vehicle.

Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing
children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child
or others could be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmis -
sion gear selector.

WARNING! (Continued)
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition in the
A C

C or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!

Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
WARNING! (Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING 163
FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC
T
RANSMISSION

The transmission gear position display (located in
the instrument cluster) indicates the
transmission gear range. You must press the
brake pedal to move the gear selector out of
PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move
the gear selector from PARK or NEUTRAL to the
DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled transmission
p r

ovides a precise shift schedule. The
transmission electronics are self-calibrating;
therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle
may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within
a few hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when
t h

e accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle
is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
pedal when shifting between these gears.

The transmission gear selector provides PARK,
R E

VERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick (-/+)
shift positions. Manual shifts can be made
using the AutoStick shift control. Moving the
gear selector into the AutoStick (-/+) position (below the Drive position) activates Autostick
mode, providing manual shift control and
displaying the current gear in the instrument
cluster. In AutoStick mode, tapping the gear
selector left (-) or right (+) will manually select
the transmission gear. Refer to "AutoStick" in
this section for further information.

Gear Selector

GEAR RANGES
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when
shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another
gear range.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment
to
allow the selected gear to engage before
accelerating. This is especially important when
the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be
started in this range. Never attempt to use
PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the
parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift
t h

e transmission into PARK first, and then apply
the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
b e

fore shifting the transmission to PARK,
otherwise the load on the transmission locking
mechanism may make it difficult to move the
gear selector 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.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
Apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.
Turn the ignition OFF.
Remove the key fob from the vehicle.
5

164 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
(Continued)
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substi
-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply the
p a

rking brake fully when exiting the vehicle
to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.

Your vehicle could move and injure you and
others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to
move the gear selector out of PARK with the
brake pedal released. Make sure the trans -
mission is in PARK before exiting the vehicle.

It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel -
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
c o

uld lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all
vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle
while the engine is running. Before exiting a
vehicle, always come to a complete stop,
then apply the parking brake, shift the trans -
mission into PARK, and turn the ignition OFF.
W h

en the ignition is in the OFF mode, the
transmission is locked in PARK, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement.

When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.

Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing
children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child
or others could be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmis -
sion gear selector.

WARNING! (Continued)
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition in the
A C

C or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Before moving the transmission gear
selector out of PARK, you must turn the igni -
tion to the ON/RUN mode, and also press
t h

e brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the
gear selector could result.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range,
as this can damage the drivetrain.
WARNING! (Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING 165
The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have properly engaged the
transmission into the PARK position:
When shifting into PARK, firmly move the
gear selector all the way forward and to the
left until it stops and is fully seated.
Look at the transmission gear position
display and verify that it indicates the PARK
position.
With brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward.
Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The
engine may be started in this range. Apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission into
PARK if you must exit the vehicle.DRIVE (D)

This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest
upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE
position provides optimum driving characteristics
under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(
s

uch as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds, or while towing
a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control
(refer to “AutoStick” in this section for further
information) to select a lower gear. Under these
conditions, using a lower gear will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds
n o

rmal operating limits, the powertrain
controller will modify the transmission shift
schedule and expand the range of torque
converter clutch engagement. This is done
to prevent transmission damage due to
o v

erheating.
During cold temperatures, transmission
o p

eration may be modified depending on
engine and transmission temperature as well
as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm
up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of
the torque converter clutch is inhibited until the
transmission fluid is warm (refer to the “Note”
under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this
section). During extremely cold temperatures
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 a collision.

CAUTION!

Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL
can cause severe transmission damage.

Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting
An

d Operating” and “Towing A Disabled
Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further
information.
5

166 STARTING AND OPERATING
(-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly
be limited to only second gear. Normal
operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
AutoStick

AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving
you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows
y o

u 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.

Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick
p o

sition (below the DRIVE position), it can be
moved from side to side. This allows the driver
to manually select the transmission gear being
used. Moving the gear selector to the left (-)
triggers a downshift and to the right (+) an
upshift. The current gear will be displayed in the
instrument cluster. In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up
o
r

down when the driver moves the gear
selector to the right (+) or left (-), unless an
engine lugging or overspeed condition would
result. It will remain in the selected gear until
another upshift or downshift is chosen, except
as described below.
The transmission will automatically upshift
when necessary to prevent engine
over-speed.
The transmission will automatically down -
shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine
l u

gging) and will display the current gear.

The transmission will automatically downshift
to first gear when coming to a stop. After a
stop, the driver should manually upshift (+) the
transmission as the vehicle is accelerated.

You can start out, from a stop, in any gear
except top gear. Tapping (+) (at a stop) will
allow starting in SECOND gear. Starting out in
SECOND gear can be helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
If a requested downshift would cause the
engine to over-speed, that shift will not occur.
Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is
engaged.
Transmission shifting will be more noticeable
when AutoStick is enabled.
The system may revert to automatic shift
mode if a fault or overheat condition is
detected.

To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear
s e

lector to the DRIVE position. You can shift in or
out of the AutoStick position at any time without
taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.

WARNING!

Do not downshift for additional engine braking
on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could
lose their grip and the vehicle could skid,
causing a collision or personal injury.