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Bob McHugh, Good As New

Journey to a Dealership Near You For a Deal on This Gem

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(Posted on Jul 6, 2021 at 03:49AM by Billy Kirk)
Profile view of pre-owned red Dodge Journey near CanadaThe Dodge Journey is a long serving and highly versatile crossover utility vehicle (2009-2020). It features three rows of seating for up to seven passengers, and has been around since 2009. Just two editions, Canadian Value Package and Crossroad, were marketed for the recent model year, which is a good indicator that the end of this Journey is near.  


Power, for both editions, is provided by a tried and trusted 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that can generate 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque, (fuel economy: City/Hwy - 12.7/9.2  L/100km) and it’s mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Alas, the more powerful, but fuel thirsty, 3.6-litre V6, which also came with all-wheel-drive, is no longer offered new. You might, however, be able to track one down at your local Certified Pre-Owned Canada affiliated dealership.


The four-banger engine provides surprisingly good low-end power and is a quiet performer at highway speeds. Steering wheel effort is on the light side and all-round driver visibility is better than most in this class, plus a Rear Park Assist system is now a standard feature. These are all bonus attributes if your Journey, like most of them, will spend a substantial part of its life in urban parking lots and shopping malls etc. 


The wide opening rear doors are kid-friendly, especially if they are tots and you have to grapple with getting them in and out of child restraint seats. The interior is both spacious and functional, as the second and third-row seats all fold flat to create a gaping 1.9 cubic metres (67.6 cu. ft.) of cargo space. Cleverly concealed and removable in-floor storage bins, ahead of the second-row seats, that can hold everything from muddy clothes to pop cans, or even hide valuables, are also available.


Although Journey has been around for awhile, it’s been updated with most of the latest technologies. Keyless entry, push-button start and the Uconnect infotainment system are standard. The Crossroad edition comes with an extra large 21-cm (8.4-inch) touch-screen and can offer integrated voice-command and navigation systems with the ability to check on stuff like local fuel prices. 


Front view of red pre-owned Dodge Journey in Canadian woodsDodge Journey is also not lacking in terms of passenger safety and security, with more than 40 features available. These include multistage front passenger air bags, active head restraints, electronic stability control with all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation and Brake Assist, driver-side knee blocker air bag, side-curtain air bags covering all three rows, front seat-mounted side air bags, LATCH child seat anchor system and trailer-sway control.


Moving up to the Crossroad edition adds a horde of neat features including 19-inch wheels, LED (ring of fire) taillights, three-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, that large Uconnect touch-screen, leather upholstery and those under-floor storage bins. 


It’s been a long road to this Journey’s end and it will be interesting to see what Dodge will come up with as its replacement. One thing is almost certain, it’ll cost more!   
        
Fuel Economy: City: 12.7 L/100km / Highway: 9.2 L/100km / Combined: 11.1 L/100km 

2016 $13,000 to $17,000
2017 $15,000 to $19,000
2018 $17,000 to $22,000 
2019 $19,000 to $25,000

Find a CPO Canada certified dealer near you today! 
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Ian Harwood, Customstyle

A Cure For the Blues Brought on By You Know What!

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(Posted on Jun 24, 2021 at 02:49AM by Billy Kirk)
Spring is in the air and it is time to exit the house from a long hibernation period we used to call “stuck inside."

This past year that condition was primarily caused by a certain widely suffered ailment that will remain nameless here... but let’s be positive.

Time to think about going into the backwoods and enjoying some outdoor activities, just as The Doc recommended.

But afore you go, you had better check your vehicle to make sure it's ready for a season of four-wheeling. I’m going to give you one of those handy vehicle checklists you can print and clip but first I’m going to warn you that you need to prepare yourself as much as the truck. Here’s that warning wrapped in a little fisherman’s tale.

Remember, you’re not the only one coming out of hibernation. Bears will start to wake up and they have been sleeping for a long time, without food. 

A few years ago, I was going out for a spring trip in B.C.’s Squamish valley, hoping to catch a fish from the spring run. I travelled down a well-driven logging road for about an hour and then decided to take a not so well travelled cart trail along the riverbank. Five minutes in, around a corner, and I was upon an adult black bear. He seemed a little annoyed judging by the glare he cast in my direction, not to mention the verbal abuse he tossed my way. He moved on quite quickly, rather than tangle with a Raptor. Get it, Ford Raptor? - Ok, forget it. Old joke. Prehistoric, actually.

A few minutes later another bear appeared, then another. I thought it weird, because it’s rare to see so many so close together. I got to what looked like a clearing close to the river with a lot of tall grass. I figured this would be a good spot to cast a line. So out of the truck I got and grabbed my fishing gear. 

Brown bear in forest near water in CanadaI walked in front of the truck for a few metres and up popped a giant Black bear from the tall grass. It must have towered seven-feet. Maybe that’s two metres in metric. As I was in the fishing mood maybe I was already in the traditional fish-catch exaggeration mode but who cares? - It looked darned big to me. 

Bruno looked around with his nose up, doubtless picking up my scent. Knew I shouldn’t have showered that morning. I threw my hands up with my bag in the air and calmly (ha! you laugh) yelled “Hey, Bear” and slowly backed up until I hit the front of the truck. The force of me hitting the truck set off the alarm and the bear wanted no part of it and ran off into the woods. Just as I intended, of course. 

I got back into the truck and told myself finding a different spot to dangle my line might be a good idea. No, I didn’t get a pic of our conversation. Use your imagination. There’s a moral and some tips about being prepared in that story. Figure it out yourself.

Ok, let’s get to the sound advice, now I’ve got my blood pressure down.

After a long winter tire pressures are frequently overlooked. The cold causes the valve stems to leak a little bit, so make sure to check the tires. Top them up with the correct amount of air in each tire, including your spare. In fact, remove the spare and make sure the rim is not damaged and no unusual lumps on the side wall. 

Its also a good time to get the oil changed and lube up the chassis along with checking all fluid levels. 

Make sure you pack the essentials:

-  Tire pressure gauge
-  Portable air compressor
-  Tire plugs and sealant
-  Bear spray
-  Bear spray
-  Hand tools
-  Bear spray
-  Cell phone and charger

Did I mention bear spray? I should have given the tale I just told.

If you get stuck on the trail, take a big breath and assess the problem. Frequently, it’s a high centre situation. Clear the debris and try to back up. If you are on something that can’t be removed jack up the tire and place some branches or logs to drive over the obstacle. 

Never climb under your vehicle while it is jacked up. Take your time and if the road looks impassible then move on and look for a different road. When you get back to a well-travelled road check all around your truck and make sure nothing is leaking or damaged.
 
Whether it's your first time four wheeling or a seasoned veteran, you’re always learning something new every time you’re out, so enjoy and happy four wheeling!

By the way, you won’t believe the size of the fish I hauled in. I said, you won’t believe, so I’m not telling.
 
Ian's 2013 Ford F-150 Raptor
 
Ian Harwood's 2013 ford f-150 in the backwoods of Canada
6.2L Ford engine with cold air intake, custom exhaust, and performance tuner

Front, 2” lift, longer control arms with Fox reservoir shocks, rear custom springs, Fox bump stops on frame support bar. Air bag suspension with Fox reservoir shocks

Custom light bar with 4 LED KC off-road lights

12,000 lb. Warn winch hidden behind factory bumper

Removable 9,000 lb. Warn winch on rear trailer hitch

Rigid Fog lights and Driving lights in bumper

Ridged curved 53” light bar

36” Toyo tires

22” Dub flat black wheels

Foldable matte black tonneau cover

Find a CPO Canada certified dealer near you today! 
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