Dodge ram

[s219]

The new pilots with the highest trim level have a different transmission and the push button transmission, it痴 the same as the Acura MDX. I think it痴 a 8 speed.

Yeah, ours is a 2017 "Elite" model. It's a 9 speed. Has been pretty good so far, with nice crisp shifts. Don't like the buttons though -- would rather have a shifter lever.

 

[WilliamBos]

No, they are not 100K plugs, at least unless they changed what they put in my 2010. They are copper plugs, not iridium or platinum. I don't recall the specific reason why they choose those, but they were the better fit for the engine's needs. Many have tried switching to long-life plugs and though it can be done there were enough reports of changes to the way the engine idles or MPG that I would stick with the recommended copper plugs.

I changed the plugs twice in 120K on my 2010 1500. I didn't do them every 30K. More like around 45K. Plugs show very little wear even at 45K so I was comfortable with that interval. You're right that a couple of the plugs on the driver's side rear of the engine are a challenge to get to, but basically it's just a matter of having the right combo of socket extensions available and a swivel joint. If changing oil is as far as a person has gone with auto maintenance I'd say let the dealer do it, but if you do you own stuff normally don't be afraid of trying it. If you do your own plugs you're probably out under $40 for the change, thanks to those cheap, common copper plugs which are not $10 like some of the iridium/platinum ones.

Rob

They are 100,000 miles now, not sure if 16 or 17 is the first year for it.

 

[BigBlue1]

They are 100,000 miles now, not sure if 16 or 17 is the first year for it.

Interesting. Wonder what they are doing differently? Using iridium/platinum plugs? Or just acknowledging that standard plugs can go that long? If iridium/platinum I wonder how they changed the engine to deal with them.

Rob

 

[Monster5601]

They are 100,000 miles now, not sure if 16 or 17 is the first year for it.

Interesting. Wonder what they are doing differently? Using iridium/platinum plugs? Or just acknowledging that standard plugs can go that long? If iridium/platinum I wonder how they changed the engine to deal with them.

Rob

For the 5.7L Hemi, the 100K plugs were phased in during late 2013 production. My understanding was the coil packs were changed to support the 100K plugs. My 2013 was built end of April 2013 and came with the 30K plugs. I ran them to 50K miles without issues and changed them out, they looked good and I wounder if I should have continued to run them.

 

[daugen]

Mine is a 2015 and no question, 30k plug service per dealership
I thought the whole reason they were "rated" for 100k is that emissions control requires them to
be within spec for that long, not 30k for sure. Other than heat range, and durability, what else is at issue
with the plugs?

 

[prichard]

I just had my 2015 in for recalls and 30k oil change, they said nothing about spark plugs. I'll look at the manual.

 

[Oaktree]

They are 100,000 miles now, not sure if 16 or 17 is the first year for it.

Must be a real joy to get them out after that length of time.

I remember before the shifter interlock. We got along without the shifter interlock for several decades.

Yeah, but that was when we still had "real" (ie-mechanical) shifters instead of the all-electronic ones. Haven't driven any of the newer Mopars with the new style gear selectors, but did recently drive a Buick with something similar. Didn't particularly like it. No idea why automakers felt the need to mess with what worked.

 

[WilliamBos]

Must be a real joy to get them out after that length of time.



Yeah, but that was when we still had "real" (ie-mechanical) shifters instead of the all-electronic ones. Haven't driven any of the newer Mopars with the new style gear selectors, but did recently drive a Buick with something similar. Didn't particularly like it. No idea why automakers felt the need to mess with what worked.

After having two vehiclea with 100,000 mile plugs in them, they are not difficult to get out at all.
The Joy of the Hemi is they are out of the elememts, which is an advantage.

The reason for the dial shifter on the 8 speed Rams is because the ZF 8 is FULLY electronic, only has a mechanical park over ride under the dash.

 

[rankrank1]

Many tranny's have been fully electronic for years, but the biggest reason you see the buttons or dials is it that it saves weight, reduces cost, and furthermore it allows by far the most flexible placement of the shifter as car manufacturers build vehicles for global markets (e.g left hand driver seat and right hand driver seat).

Complex heavy steel linkages were done away with years ago by most manufacturers and replaced with much lighter shifter mechanisms utilizing a sheathed cable instead of the traditional heavy steel rod linkages of yesteryear. These sheathed cables we not only lighter and cheaper, but allowed somewhat more flexible placement of the shift mechanism compared to the heavy rod solid shaft type pivots. Modern affordable electronics allows the weight and cost reduction to go yet a step further as compared to a cable which pretty much insures the shifter placement is as easy as it can get if a manufacturer decides to move it for any reason - simple wiring harness and done - little engineering resources required.

 

[WilliamBos]

6 Speed Rams (Like my 17) are cable/column shifted, only the ZF8 uses the dial.