Dakota Discharge
Q: Following is a letter we sent to DaimlerChrysler Corporation regarding using a new Dodge Dakota as a towed vehicle behind a motorhome. The company did respond, saying that it is a new design on the Dakota and that they will try to make the towing information more “visible” to both dealers and buyers. I know that we did not think to look through the owners manual before we bought the vehicle “” we trusted what the salesmen told us.
Yes, the vehicles in question are towable. If you don’t mind disconnecting the battery each time. But they are not towable like the older Jeeps. Potential buyers should be aware of this change for Jeep and Dakota vehicles. I don’t know about the Liberty.
“After years of towing a Jeep (1996, 1998) and a Dodge Dakota pickup (1996) “” all automatic, 4-wheel-drive “” behind our motorhome(s), it was a total surprise to us when, after we purchased a 2005 Dodge Dakota and outfitted it for towing, the battery was dead after a day of towing. Not one dealer (of approximately 25) informed us of this problem, and they all assured us that the vehicle was towable per owners manual instructions. We contacted Chrysler Customer Assistance and, after several hours of discussion with three different individuals, were told “it was our problem!” A service manager at our local Chrysler-Jeep dealer finally found an “addendum” from Chrysler in the computer (that was supposed to be attached in the 2005 owners manual but was not), which said the negative battery cable had to be disconnected and reconnected each time you tow the vehicle. In addition to the inconvenience, this also interrupts the clock and radio settings. This addendum was attached to the 2006 owners manual, but to my knowledge has not been added to the 2006 Jeep manual. I was informed by a salesman that the 2006 Jeep Cherokee has the same system, which would result in the same “dead battery” problem. If this is the case, as Jeep is a very common towed vehicle for motorhomes (because of the ability to tow an automatic-transmission vehicle), I suggest that any prospective buyer of a towed vehicle investigate this situation very carefully so that they not be disappointed as we were, both in the product and in the response from Chrysler Customer Assistance.”
Larry & Marilyn Knight
Emery, South Dakota
A: On some vehicles, a hot line from your coach to the battery, or a battery-maintaining solar panel, could solve your dead battery problem. However, due to the various onboard computers that your Dakota has, you should consult a dealer’s service technician before applying either modification to the truck. There’s also a product “” I can’t remember the name; I’ve heard about it from a very reliable source, but have never seen one “” that plugs into your cigarette lighter and uses its own replaceable batteries to maintain your vehicle’s battery. You don’t have to worry about the ECM computer with this unit, because the lighter is wired behind the computer.
Our annual towed vehicle survey noted that the 2006-model Dodge Dakota 4×2 rear-wheel-drive manual and 4×4 manual and automatic four-wheel-drive models were towable. Several Jeep models were reported as towable also. All of this information came directly from the manufacturers. We appreciate the heads-up concerning this problem and we will certainly check into it when compiling the 2007 survey this fall.
MPG
Q: Good article by Peter DuPre on increasing fuel economy (“I Want My MPG!”; June 2006, page 56), but I have a suggestion. Always include a note of caution on any recommended modifications that may affect the vehicle/engine warranty. At Carson Dodge Chrysler in Carson City, Nevada, We have had so much trouble with the various oil/washable filters used on Cummins “B” engines that Dodge pulled them from the Mopar line and won’t back warranty-related items. Some of the problems are due to lack of customer care (not cleaning the filter at all) and others are caused by the idea that if a little oil was good … then a lot will be better. The engine will inhale oil into the intake manifold and coat the MAP sensor. Also, factory testing of some of these filters came back with “it passes everything but small rocks.” This was further backed up by engine oil analysis showing higher levels of dirt than with a stock filter. These comments apply to turbocharged diesel engines. As an engineer with the dealership I have a problem understanding how a filter changes performance when sensors demand 20 psi and it’s furnished, other than providing quicker spool-up, unless the filter is completely plugged and can’t get to 20 psi.
John Holmes
Via e-mail
A: Good idea, and thank you for the suggestion. I’ll be sure to remember that in the future. In the various convention seminars on diesel engines that I moderate and attend, diesel owners are always cautioned to use only filters “” air, fuel, coolant, etc. “” that are approved by the engine manufacturers. While an aftermarket filter could save the owner some cents up front, it may end up costing major dollars in the long run.