"THE ROAD TEST"

(after the new has worn off)

November 1997 I bought a 1998 Dodge Durango. This was the package:

4x4, V-8 318 (230HP/330ft.lb.) , Chili Pepper Red, anti-spin differential, rear A/C, rear heat, 6X9 mirrors, 6 way Power seat, 3rd row seat, Towing package, luggage rack, gray cloth interior, HD Service package, am/fm cassette, and 31x10.5x15 tires.

Problem: Immediately after driving off the lot, I noticed a sqeaking sound and burnt metal smell coming from the left front wheel. Gas mileage SUX! 10mpg city/15 mpg highway...if I'm careful. What does Dodge mean? Damn Old Dirty Gas Eater :)

Response: After driving it a while (1200 miles) with the hopes of something "breaking in" and these problems going away, I visited my local Dodge dealership in Greenville, MS. I informed the service manager about the sound and smell, and the terrible gas mileage. I told him I was concerned and thought maybe the two problems were related. After the service manager gave the truck a road test, he informed me that since the truck has semi-metallic brakes I'll have to live with the squeaking and burnt metal smell. He said the gas mileage should get better as the engine breaks in.

Comment: I am willing to accept his theory about the gas mileage, but I'm not buying the story about the sqeak and smell. I've never had this problem before with semi-metallic brakes. It's not like this is the first vehicle to ever use semi-metallic brakes and there are a few bugs to be worked out.

Solution: I lifted the front left wheel, rotated the tire, and was able to identify the problem. There is some sort of dust shield on the inside of the disc brake that was making contact with the disc. As the wheel spun, the friction caused the squeak and burnt metal smell. SHAZAMM! I figured that one out and I'm not even a Dodge certifed mechanic. Even so, the gas mileage was unaffected by this adjustment.

I continued to drive the truck hoping for that magical "break in" to happen so the mileage would improve, but after 2800 miles still no change. Even using premium gasoline had no affect on mileage. A friend told me when he bought his 1997 Dodge Ram p/u the gas mileage was terrible as well. He told me when the dealership finally took time to find out why, they discovered the spark plugs where gapped wrong. I thought I'd check mine to see if I had the same problem. I started on the #1 cylinder. After breaking the plug trying to unscrew it because it was probably installed with an Air Wrench, I discovered it was gapped at .030. The engine compartment decal says the plugs should be gapped at .040. I continued...breaking plugs and checking gaps. I found that six plugs were gapped at .030 and two were gapped at .035. After installing a new set of plugs (Bosch Platinum) with the proper gap settings, I gained 2 mpg highway immediately. No information in the city yet.

2,600 Miles: The front brakes squeak when the brakes are applied. This time it's really the brakes. I checked. They sound like I just had a $2.00 brake job.

Why didn't I take it to the dealership to have the plugs checked? After the BS I got about the sqeak and smell, I lost faith in receiving quality service and information.

4,000 Miles: The brakes no longer squeak. The gas mileage has improved a whopping 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. I am still unhappy with the poor mileage, but now I understand why. I had to figure this out on my own because noone else knew. Apparently when you get the rear anti-spin axle, you also get the low 3.92 gear ratio. This goes to show you can't have it all. Consequently, I might not be able to drive by a gas station very often, but I could probably pull my own oil tanker behind the truck. :) I'm wondering if going to a larger diameter tire would yield better mileage by resulting in an overall higher gear ration. That'll be something to try oneday. Other than that, so far so good.

Technical Service Bulletin: A TSB has been issued on the Dodge Durango because of faulty PCD Cable Fasteners. The bulletin reads: "The fasteners that secure the generator and battery cables to the power distribution center on your Durango, may have been improperly tightened. This could result in arcing at the connection and may cause a fire in the engine compartment which could be hazardous to vehicle occupants."

5,000 miles: All is well... 5 tires, 5 doors, 1 small scratch. I'm starting to notice the AC doesn't work very well.

6,700 miles:I recently used the Dodge to pull my 1993 Chevy Z-28 on a trailer to the Internet F-Body Event in Memphis, TN. On the way, I set the cruise on 70mph, disabled the overdrive, and away we went. It had no problem pulling all that weight up some very large hills and inclines. This was such an improvement over the Toyota 4Runner. I watched the speedometer as I climbed the hills and the needle never dropped. This truck has made up for the lack of gas mileage with amazing pulling power. A few times when I had to pass another car, I'd push the pedal down then "fly" past the slower car like I had nothing behind it. This was one of the main reasons I bought the truck, so as of now I'm satisfied.

New problem. The rear air conditioner stopped working. I checked for a blown fuse, but everything looked fine. I guess it's time for the dealership.

7,000 miles:The driverside rear window suddenly stopped working. I took it to the dealership and they said the actuator thingy broke. How the hell did this happen? Since it's gotten hotter, I've noticed the AC does not cool very well. No this is not my imagination; I have a 93 Camaro that cools much better and in less time. The thought of selling it is starting to present itself.

Another straw on the camel's back:After a week at the dealer"shit", I picked up my Durango. The service guy told me the part for my power window is not in yet nor does he know when it'll be in. He went on to say the part is on nation wide backorder and that there were three other Durango's in his shop needing the same part. I told him if the rear AC unit was fixed, I wanted to pick it up because I really needed my truck and I would bring it back when the part came in. As I drive off the lot,, I turn on the rear AC to help cool it down (remember driverside rear window won't go up), when I discover it still doesn't work. What the hell is going on!?! So what did I do about the window? I cut a piece of wood long enough to hold the window up from inside the door. Don't laugh, it works. Its better than driving around with the plastic bag over the door that the dealership gave me.

Sold:I traded it in Saturday August 1, 1998 for a Chevrolet Tahoe. I got $25,000 on trade.

I found out later the truck was traded to another dealership. They were asking $28,500. I only paid $28,200. :)

FYI: . Semi-metallic brakes do not necessary make noise because of their design. Semi-metallic brake pads have been around for years so this product is nothing new. As far as a V8 getting good mileage, it "IS" possible. I own a 1993 Chevrolet Camaro with an LT1 350 that puts out over 400 horsepower and is capable of 28 mpg on the highway. Sure it doesn't weigh as much as the Durango, 3400lbs. vs. 4300lbs., but it is possible. Unfortunately, it's just not possible with the 4X4 Durango because of it's weight and rolling resistance.

TIPS on the Durango:

Many of you have asked if I had an SUV before the Durango.

This was my 1993 Toyota 4Runner 4X4, V-6, 5 spd, I traded in for the Durango.

Comparison: The Durango has more power and room than the 4Runner, however not as dependable. As far as the price, go with the Tahoe or Yukon. They have more room, more power, a better ride, and get about the same MPG. I don't car what the numbers say, drive them! If the Durango is your choice, make sure your service department is capable of servicing the vehicle.

Stay tuned as "The Road Test" continues .

I would like to get feedback from other Durango owners about the problems they may be having. Let me hear about any pros and cons associated with your new Durango. To post a message or view what others have written, see my message board. If you notice the counter below, you should understand if I don't respond to private e-mail. :)

The Durango Journal