Chrysler requires 9-Speed auto update with asinine procedure.

SnakeEyeSS · May 27, 2014

Bought a Cherokee with the 9 speed auto? Well, unless that's a typo, they are going to drive your car for 100 minutes to monitor its shifting.

http://m.motortrend.com/wot/1405_chrysler_nine_speed_automatic_transmission_software_tweaked_again.html

Get it right from the factory, and now, all your guy who have Chrysler Transmission horror stories, this is your que:

Colossus · May 27, 2014

Show them how to do it right then. GM and other makers have the same problems. Some things can't be figured out until something has been out on the road awhile. That is part of the reason there are "software updates" so to speak both for your home PC and for your Car. You can drive 20-100 test vehicles 100,000+ miles and that won't guarantee resolving the issues before primary production begins.

SnakeEyeSS · May 27, 2014

Show them how to do it right then. GM and other makers have the same problems. Some things can't be figured out until something has been out on the road awhile. That is part of the reason there are "software updates" so to speak both for your home PC and for your Car. You can drive 20-100 test vehicles 100,000+ miles and that won't guarantee resolving the issues before primary production begins.

That's funny, because the transmission in my 6 was one of the first car models fitted with it to the 3.7L( same with the engine, the 6 had it before the next vehicle, the Lincoln MKS) and it never needed a reflash, or had any issues. Oh, and BTW, its a ford transmission, with Mazda programming.

waumo1 · May 27, 2014

Since it says the update is optional, it may just be to please some owners. I know my 09 SRT Challenger had very aggressive downshifting programming which some owners complained about but I loved it. Unfortunately too many complainers caused a "drive-ability improvement" software update to be issued that took away from the aggressiveness of the downshift action under braking.

SnakeEyeSS · May 28, 2014

Since it says the update is optional, it may just be to please some owners. I know my 09 SRT Challenger had very aggressive downshifting programming which some owners complained about but I loved it. Unfortunately too many complainers caused a "drive-ability improvement" software update to be issued that took away from the aggressiveness of the downshift action under braking.

Whatever happened to test driving Cars before you buy them? Sounds like those people need a Toyota Avalon. But we all know who it was. Too many geezers who want their time machine to shift as sloppy as the original did.

MikeNH · May 28, 2014

I donno, even after the new Cherokee was delayed for months due to trans issues I read in several reviews that getting into 9th gear was impossible and that even 8th was like flat/downhill doing like 75-80 or more. It may do better with a more powerful engine or in a more aerodynamic car but it seems there may be a limit to how many gears is actually useful. That's why I don't understand why some here are jumping for GM to dump an 8-speed into the trucks. All it'll do is improve fuel economy on paper, the 6 speed is an excellent match for these engines. I was able to drive a Ram last month and the truck was strong off the line but gutless from a rolling start and slow to respond before that.

KARNUT · May 28, 2014

I can see the use of more gears close together getting started, would work good in low horse power vehicles or for pulling. More overdrive gears would just lug the engine too much.

SnakeEyeSS · May 28, 2014

Yes, autoblog mentioned during their test drive period the car never hit 9th. They just got one for long term to test.

Z45 · May 28, 2014

They don't care how gutless it is, the guberment says they have to increase mpg on trucks or pay huge fines. Trucks have to average 28.8 mpg by 2016. They may start installing pedals on them.

SnakeEyeSS · May 28, 2014

They don't care how gutless it is, the guberment says they have to increase mpg on trucks or pay huge fines. Trucks have to average 28.8 mpg by 2016. They may start installing pedals on them.

A few places have published articles explained the figure, its not that every truck has to get 28.8, if I remember correctly its that the whole model line has to get a combined average that's a percentage of that. Its stupidly complicated, and mixed with averages of different drivetrains combos and cafe credits.

MikeNH · May 28, 2014

A few places have published articles explained the figure, its not that every truck has to get 28.8, if I remember correctly its that the whole model line has to get a combined average that's a percentage of that. Its stupidly complicated, and mixed with averages of different drivetrains combos and cafe credits.

This is exactly it. It's also why we see a flurry of new itty bitty crossovers. They are light trucks in the eyes of the feds so their fairly good mileage will offset all the real trucks GM or whoever sells. They've been doing it forever. Chrysler lucked out with the PT Cruiser being a hit cause it too was a "light truck" so they could sell all the gas guzzling Jeeps and Rams they wanted.

truckofwinandawesome · May 29, 2014

They don't care how gutless it is, the guberment says they have to increase mpg on trucks or pay huge fines. Trucks have to average 28.8 mpg by 2016. They may start installing pedals on them.

and now we know why the Expedition/Navigator got an EgoBoost Neutering.

MikeNH · May 29, 2014

and now we know why the Expedition/Navigator got an EgoBoost Neutering.

It's not like CAFE laws are some big secret. I read about them using things like the PT Cruiser to boost truck CAFE numbers back when it first came out in 2000/2001. And it's not like giving the SUVs the EcoBoost will do much considering how few Ford sells.