Will the '13 Ram take some of Ford's market share?
05-11-2012, 03:59 PM
#21
Beer Gut Extraordinaire
"Both versions of the eight-speed utilize auto start-stop technology"
I wouldn't buy the Ram (with 8 speed) for this reason alone. This feature turns off the engine every time you come to a complete stop, and then restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. The idea is that you're saving gas when not moving, because the engine isn't running.
However, I've rented a few cars with this feature and absolutely hated it. You can feel the car vibrate every time the engine is restarted, which is especially annoying in stop and go traffic. There's also a lag between when you take your foot off the brake and the engine restarts, in case you want to get going quickly. Plus, I have to think this is hard on the starter, which is having to work 10 times what it otherwise would.
You can turn off the auto/start stop feature, but it's on by default every time you start the car, at least in the cars I've driven.
I wouldn't buy the Ram (with 8 speed) for this reason alone. This feature turns off the engine every time you come to a complete stop, and then restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. The idea is that you're saving gas when not moving, because the engine isn't running.
However, I've rented a few cars with this feature and absolutely hated it. You can feel the car vibrate every time the engine is restarted, which is especially annoying in stop and go traffic. There's also a lag between when you take your foot off the brake and the engine restarts, in case you want to get going quickly. Plus, I have to think this is hard on the starter, which is having to work 10 times what it otherwise would.
You can turn off the auto/start stop feature, but it's on by default every time you start the car, at least in the cars I've driven.
05-11-2012, 04:09 PM
#22
Junior Member
My 2012 BMW 328i has auto start/stop and I don't find it that annoying. The engine starts immediately after taking your foot off of the brake so the delay is tiny, most times you won't even notice it. If you anticipate that you will need to jump off of the line it is easy to get it to restart in advance of the light change or, if you want, you can disable it completely.
05-11-2012, 04:12 PM
#23
Better OUT then IN
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale area)
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"Both versions of the eight-speed utilize auto start-stop technology"
I wouldn't buy the Ram (with 8 speed) for this reason alone. This feature turns off the engine every time you come to a complete stop, and then restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. The idea is that you're saving gas when not moving, because the engine isn't running.
However, I've rented a few cars with this feature and absolutely hated it. You can feel the car vibrate every time the engine is restarted, which is especially annoying in stop and go traffic. There's also a lag between when you take your foot off the brake and the engine restarts, in case you want to get going quickly. Plus, I have to think this is hard on the starter, which is having to work 10 times what it otherwise would.
You can turn off the auto/start stop feature, but it's on by default every time you start the car, at least in the cars I've driven.
I wouldn't buy the Ram (with 8 speed) for this reason alone. This feature turns off the engine every time you come to a complete stop, and then restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. The idea is that you're saving gas when not moving, because the engine isn't running.
However, I've rented a few cars with this feature and absolutely hated it. You can feel the car vibrate every time the engine is restarted, which is especially annoying in stop and go traffic. There's also a lag between when you take your foot off the brake and the engine restarts, in case you want to get going quickly. Plus, I have to think this is hard on the starter, which is having to work 10 times what it otherwise would.
You can turn off the auto/start stop feature, but it's on by default every time you start the car, at least in the cars I've driven.
05-11-2012, 04:19 PM
#24
It's about time dodge udated their navigation and uconnect. My coworker has a 2010 ram 3500 laramie which cost him about 70k and it came with a garbage nav and hands free system. Interface and controls are outdated
05-11-2012, 05:11 PM
#25
My 2012 BMW 328i has auto start/stop and I don't find it that annoying. The engine starts immediately after taking your foot off of the brake so the delay is tiny, most times you won't even notice it. If you anticipate that you will need to jump off of the line it is easy to get it to restart in advance of the light change or, if you want, you can disable it completely.
I imagine this feature doesn't bother 99% of drivers, but I really disliked it.
05-11-2012, 05:47 PM
#27
Race Red '12 XLT SCrew EB
I think the 8 speed would be nice as long as the the components can handle the torque multiplication and the tranny can pick the correct gear and not constantly be shifting. That is what I have read aboutnsome other 8 speed autos. They gear hunt and never really settle into a gear.
05-11-2012, 05:50 PM
#28
I think the 8 speed would be nice as long as the the components can handle the torque multiplication and the tranny can pick the correct gear and not constantly be shifting. That is what I have read aboutnsome other 8 speed autos. They gear hunt and never really settle into a gear.
05-11-2012, 05:50 PM
#29
The start/stop I was referring to for the ignition can be seen in one of the interior pics.
The start/stop for the engine linked to the vehicle stopping at lights, etc probably would be a little annoying, but as was already mentioned, sounds like a feature that can be turned off....hopefully permanently through the productivity screen.
By no means do I plan on running out and buying a Ram necessarily, just thought it was interesting to see what they are doing. I will likely check them out for comparative purposes, but I'm really hoping Ford gets some of the existing kinks worked out for '13. I do like the refreshed (what appears to be Platinum) front end that recently surfaced (painted grill sourround, updated headlights, thought of MFT making it into the lineup, etc.) Anxious for some official pics/info to come out around the changes.....
The start/stop for the engine linked to the vehicle stopping at lights, etc probably would be a little annoying, but as was already mentioned, sounds like a feature that can be turned off....hopefully permanently through the productivity screen.
By no means do I plan on running out and buying a Ram necessarily, just thought it was interesting to see what they are doing. I will likely check them out for comparative purposes, but I'm really hoping Ford gets some of the existing kinks worked out for '13. I do like the refreshed (what appears to be Platinum) front end that recently surfaced (painted grill sourround, updated headlights, thought of MFT making it into the lineup, etc.) Anxious for some official pics/info to come out around the changes.....
