What DON'T you like about your RAM?

[Octane]

Well, whats the purpose of the dial trans shifter on the 8sp if it’s so unpopular…….

The purpose is that it made the Ram truck company happy...

 

[corneileous]

Well, whats the purpose of the dial trans shifter on the 8sp if it’s so unpopular…….

They probably chose the dial to be different and to temporarily get away from that goofy console shifter but of course certain things are always gonna be unpopular so why do any of it?…lol. And just because something is disliked by many doesn’t mean it’s unpopular. I love the dial. I think it makes for a nice, clean look but it I had to chose between a column shifter and that, I honestly couldn’t care less but if it was knob vs console shifter? I'll let you figure that one out.

 

[corneileous]

That the transmission packed it in at 160k kms frickin junk

What is that, hundred thousand? Close? Either way, that should be considered a little premature for a transmission to toss in the towel but if it’s the 8-speed we’re talking about here, I can’t say I’m surprised considering the Ram marketers said there is no maintenance schedule for this trans. If that’s why yours “packed it in”, blame the marketers, not your trans.

 

[star_deceiver]

Well, whats the purpose of the dial trans shifter on the 8sp if it’s so unpopular…….

The transmission is 100% electric. You could have any sort of toggle, knob, or lever to shift gears. The dial takes up the least space and lowest cost. Spend $$$ and modify your own column or console shifter.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Both my late '15 and current '20 warm up way faster than any other vehicle I've owned. Granted, it's rarely -30 here, but I'm speaking relatively.

Speaking relatively, my relatives never warmed up to me! Kidding!
Here in Houston, Texas, it got down to about 11 degrees or so with wind chill at zero. I went out to my cars and started them all. One gave me heat rather quickly. (A 2002 GM product) the others took north of 15 minutes at high idle to whisper even a hint of warmth. Eventually they got warm too. My wife's Kia got warm fastest of our daily drivers, but it has electric seat heaters to make you comfy while waiting on the heater to work!

 

[RamDiver]

They probably chose the dial to be different and to temporarily get away from that goofy console shifter but of course certain things are always gonna be unpopular so why do any of it?…lol. And just because something is disliked by many doesn’t mean it’s unpopular. I love the dial. I think it makes for a nice, clean look but it I had to chose between a column shifter and that, I honestly couldn’t care less but if it was knob vs console shifter? I'll let you figure that one out.

Me too.

I was a bit uptight about the transmission selector knob before I took delivery and for a short term afterward. Having spent my entire life shifting from the column or floor, it was just WRONG!

Now, if you asked me, I hope it never changes. It's small, easy to operate, out of the way yet quite accessible. What more could you ask for?

Yes, it's different than what we're used to. Get over it, move on & enjoy the improvement.

PS: my smart-a$$ed comments were not directed to the owner of the post I quoted. I was just adding to his comments and chose to quote.
.

 

[GlennRH]

This may have been mentioned in the previous 523 pages, but I don’t like the dial trans shifter. I’m sure there’s a reason for it …….

My first car had buttons on the dash.

 

[Yardbird]

My first car had buttons on the dash.

Plymouth Valiant?


I don't like that the 3.6 immediately screams to 1600 rpm upon cold startup. I wish it would go to 800 - 1000 and gradually move up to 1500-1600, then ease down at a rate close to, or faster, than it does now.

Being electronic throttle body, I can't change it since I can't get into the PCM. If it had an IAC valve, I could run a cutoff switch to it like I did my '87 F150.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Both my late '15 and current '20 warm up way faster than any other vehicle I've owned. Granted, it's rarely -30 here, but I'm speaking relatively.

My 2014 3.6L seems to warm up almost instantly. By the time I leave the neighborhood (maybe .5 miles) I have heat.

 

[GlennRH]

Plymouth Valiant?


I don't like that the 3.6 immediately screams to 1600 rpm upon cold startup. I wish it would go to 800 - 1000 and gradually move up to 1500-1600, then ease down at a rate close to, or faster, than it does now.

Being electronic throttle body, I can't change it since I can't get into the PCM. If it had an IAC valve, I could run a cutoff switch to it like I did my '87 F150.

59 Belvidere

 

[RamDiver]

Cold winter startups.... and how long it takes for any kind of heat in the cab. That's what I hate about my 2016. It takes 15-20+ minutes on a cold day to pump heat. The defroster is useless for at least 15 when it's -30 and colder..

My '21 Classic starts heating in about 2 minutes.

Have you ever considered changing the coolant line thermostat to a warmer temperature unit or maybe yours is just seized open?

If it never closes, it will take much longer to blow heat.

In the old days, we used to pop them out and put them in a pan of water on the stove. You could start heating and see when or if it would open.

Again, many years ago, it was a 10-minute job to change a thermostat with little to no coolant loss. The last time I looked at changing one, it was a huge PITA and required draining lots of coolant first. I have no idea what's involved in a Ram. YouTube knows.


Yup, much more of a PITA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo6lQKAGY0M


PS: None of the vehicles I worked on as a youth had computers and the Ram trucks of today are much more complicated. I'd suggest you investigate the possibility that your existing thermostat is original and may not be working correctly. Also, discuss the issue with those that are familiar with Ram trucks & the associated coolant thermostats.
.

 

[smittyd174]

Just got my 22 Warlock . This is my 3rd , 4th gen ram . Love the truck , looks sporty with attitude, silver and black. Things I'm not a big fan of are , the shift knob and the push button 4wd . My radio is having an exorcism performed on it in the New Year lol . I swear it's possessed. Have projector headlights and not the brightest ,will upgrade at some point . Last off I wish the would come up with a tail gate ladder like ,can't believe I'm going to say Ford . That step and handle is awesome , who wants a tailgate that opens and folds in 20 different ways .
The 2 features my 2010 had was if you held the unlock button on the key fob the front windows would go down and it had the shifter in the console , loved that . All in all minor gripes that I will get used to . Just remember drive it like you stole it .

 

[Livinalittle]

Right now? The blend door actuator sandwiched between the heater box and the firewall.

 

[4xdad]

Let me guess it’s not working properly now because it’s cold

 

[06 Dodge]

Cold winter startups.... and how long it takes for any kind of heat in the cab. That's what I hate about my 2016. It takes 15-20+ minutes on a cold day to pump heat. The defroster is useless for at least 15 when it's -30 and colder..

That is why they make a winter front to cover the front of the truck to help restrict all of that cold air to the Radiator.

 

[Livinalittle]

Let me guess it’s not working properly now because it’s cold

Something’s not working..
I’m making my way down the line starting with cheap and easy (3 actuators done) to less cheap and easy (A/C and heater module is in the mail) and finally cheap and a pain in the ass (that little ******* behind the heater box.
After that I’ll be tracking down bad grounds and shorts until I eventually lite it on fire.

 

[TestPilot57]

That is why they make a winter front to cover the front of the truck to help restrict all of that cold air to the Radiator.

If the thermostat is working properly that will not help at all with startup heat times.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Plymouth Valiant?


I don't like that the 3.6 immediately screams to 1600 rpm upon cold startup. I wish it would go to 800 - 1000 and gradually move up to 1500-1600, then ease down at a rate close to, or faster, than it does now.

Being electronic throttle body, I can't change it since I can't get into the PCM. If it had an IAC valve, I could run a cutoff switch to it like I did my '87 F150.

Your 87 F150 was pre OBD2. You'd set a P0507 if you did that to a vehicle today with enhanced OBD2.

 

[Yardbird]

Your 87 F150 was pre OBD2. You'd set a P0507 if you did that to a vehicle today with enhanced OBD2.

I'm sure It would set a code. I wish I could program the extreme startup idle out until about 10-15 seconds after startup, in order to give time for oil to get to the top of the engine. That's what I do with the cutoff switch on the Ford.

Looking at the oil flow chart of the Pentastar, the cam followers and chain tensioners are pretty much at the end of the line when getting oil.

I'm sure one of the reasons for the high idle is to fill up the oil filter canister, since it drains back every time the engine is cut off (or so I've read). That design needs changed to keep oil there.

When it's cold, I will hold the throttle pedal to the floor and let the engine crank over a few times to start the oil pumping before stopping the crank over, then start the engine normally.

I guess I'm just picky about dry cold starts.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I'm sure It would set a code. I wish I could program the extreme startup idle out until about 10-15 seconds after startup, in order to give time for oil to get to the top of the engine. That's what I do with the cutoff switch on the Ford.

Looking at the oil flow chart of the Pentastar, the cam followers and chain tensioners are pretty much at the end of the line when getting oil.

I'm sure one of the reasons for the high idle is to fill up the oil filter canister, since it drains back every time the engine is cut off (or so I've read). That design needs changed to keep oil there.

When it's cold, I will hold the throttle pedal to the floor and let the engine crank over a few times to start the oil pumping before stopping the crank over, then start the engine normally.

I guess I'm just picky about dry cold starts.

There IS a solution to your issue. It's called "Clear Flood". This feature is on all domestic OBD2 vehicles but on few imports.
When you first get into your truck in the AM, floor the throttle and crank away! It won't start until you back off the throttle.
Read your owner's manual!
This will allow oil pressure to build before starting.
You're welcome!