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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2002
20:22:21
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 Subject: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I'm sure others have noticed this and I'm not sure if its a big concern but you decide for yourself: It is not necessary to press the brake in order to shift from Park to Reverse or From Park to Drive. This seems like a potentially dangerous situation to me. I know that you still have to pull the lever back but every other auto trans I have driven (not a tremendous amount but a wide variety of manufacturers) requires the brake to be pushed before shifting.
Now I know that good parents wouldn't ever leave their kids in the car unsupervised but the potential is there for the child to shift gears. Also it seems that this might be a little harsh on the tranny if its free to shift without the brake on (even though it won't shift if the vehicle is moving at a decent pace).
I called Chrysler and they say that they know about this and its the same on several of thier vehicles and they may address it in future transmissions.
Joel
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Big Blue QC
GenIII
2/21/2002
09:59:53
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I think this may depend on the year. Mine requires the brake to be depressed.
2002 QC Sport 4x4, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars,
all possible fluids are AMSOIL
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kawzx7
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
10:49:41
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I have a 2000 CC 4.7 auto.
I actually like it better not having to press the brake, I swore like a drunken sailor when I had to start on my 1996 S-10. But I have no kids(valid point), and on top of that I would not be stupid enough to leave the engine running with the kids free inside.
The automaker cannot save us from ourselves, even though we try to hold them accountable. These comments are not directed at either of you, just my $0.02.
Chris
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Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
11:39:39
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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That feature was something all manufactures had to start installing. I don't remember what year it became mandatory for the reason stated above. I think it's dumb and would prefer not to have to push the brake to shift from park, but I too believe in self-responsibility.
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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
13:24:36
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I agree completely with the "You are responsible for yourself!"
Chrysler must have changed for the 2002. My buddy has a 00 4.7 and he doesn't have to push the brake to shift.
And...yes I kind of like shifting without the brake....lazy ass I am.
Joel
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NiPs
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
16:04:13
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Well I think that there is a law saying that CARS must have that *feature*, however I don't think it carried over for trucks as a lot of legislation doesn't carry over. I really wish my 01 RAM had this because I want to go completely key less with a remote starter/alram. Because I want the remote starter, I must have a way to prove I am in the car and well I can't find a way other then if you hit the brake to kill the engine unless X is done first. So that's my idea.
You *must* still have the key in the ignition to move from park but the brake might not be needed.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
16:32:34
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I'm waiting for the new Nerf SUV to come out.
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kawzx7
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
16:50:50
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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NiP:
A toggle switch or pushbutton will serve to prove you are in the car, or a switch behind the brake.
Should not be an issue.
Chris
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scat pack
GenIII
2/21/2002
17:02:37
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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You're obviously a fairly new driver - I too am thankful my 2000 doesn't have this feature. When I start my truck it's already stoped in park,why should I have to step on the brake to shift it ? I remember taking over Turnpike emergency service patrol Ford from a buddy of mine who goes about 400 lbs - no one told him about this feature in the new truck - he got it to shift though - next stop down the road the shifter comes off in my hand ! What a great feature ! If you leave kids in the car, pocket the keys !
2K RC 4.7 4x4
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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
17:48:17
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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No...I'm not a fairly new driver...I have driven a wide variety of older as well as newer vehicles and this was the first that I have been in that didn't require the brake to be pushed. The reason that they require this now (thought it was always required) is because it takes two steps to put the vehicle in gear. Just like a manual transmission (clutch + shifter).
And like I said before its the parents responsibillity to supervise kids in the car but it makes me worry a little when I want to jump out to grab the mail and I hate to turn my truck off only to turn it right back on 30 seconds later.
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Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
18:28:20
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I think you may be right about it not being required in pickups. It was a recall on my 95 Grand Cherokee to have that feature added but maybe that was because it was a console shifted automatic. My manual neon would go right into gear if you had it idling in neutral without pushing in the clutch. You couldn't start it in gear unless the clutch was pushed in but nothing prevented you from just jamming it in there once it was running (something a child might try if left unattended). The big thing here is I just whish people would stop trying to blame everything that ever happens to them on somebody else. Since when did our founding fathers want congress to sit around and pass laws on weather or not we should have to push the brake in before shifting form park! Some day, liberals willing, we will all drive the same car, livein the same hose, wear the same uniforms, and eat the same food... eh, comrads?
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Boomer
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
18:45:42
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Not to say that you aren't an experienced driver, but I know that very few, if any, cars made prior to 90 had that feature. My 87 Olds, 89 Celica, 88 Caddy (grandparents), etc never required it. The first car I owned that did was a 96 Sebring. I think EVERYBODY needs to have common sense to own a vehicle. Ever drive a vehicle made in Europe or Asia, that is in European or Asian specs? You don't even need to push in the clutch on a manual to start some of them. I'm just completely tired of this era of "Safety" that America is in, what ever happened to "The kid who eats the most marbles doesn't live to have offspring?" (George Carlin)
Boomer
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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
20:08:35
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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For those saying that everyone needs to responsible for themselves and that the government is out of control with safety....I 100% agree. There a million things that there are safety rules for that are completely pointless (they can only serve warm coffee at McDonalds), but there are some things that are worth it. Wether this issue is one is everyones different opinion. I can see both sides of the issue and haven't had a problem with it personally but I was just surprised more than anything.
As to the cars mentioned above that don't require the brake to shift, never driven those particular cars. And its entirely possible that I never checked all the other cars I have driven because I just pushed the brake out of habbit.
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Bill55
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
07:07:47
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Some of these safety features come about because we humans do not use out supposed ability to think. The danger is greater when Detroit is inconsistent. For a very long time now you have to have the key on to shift an auto trans out of Park, but I had a 1973 3/4 ton dodge truck that only appeared to have that feature. The ignition key was mounted in the steering column for that year, but no interlock. My 74 car had the interlock. It is probably more dangerous to assume you have a safety feature when you actually don't. One of the best safety features they give us is usually left unread in the glove box, it is called the owners manual.
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JustRed
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
09:36:49
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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I think that this wonderful "feature" came about due to the (supposedly) self-accelerating Audi's back in the 80's.
The FIRST thing I was taught when I learned to drive was to put my foot on the brake and then shift into gear. I didn't need some safety switch to tell me that.
OK, time to lighten up a bit -- here's a joke for you old-timers (like me). You know it's going to be a bad day when you're sitting at the stop light and notice an Audi 5000 coming up behind you, then you look at the car in front of you and see it's a Pinto.
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OldTimer
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
16:06:34
|  RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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In the "old days" 50 years ago, we didn't have as many idiots driving thus didn't have all the idiot lights and idiot features. People really did know how to drive, and would balk at making it harder to rock a car in snow by adding silly "features" like this one.
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scat pack
GenIII
2/22/2002
16:21:22
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Doesn't sound to me like he even knows what an older car is if he thinks they had this feature ! Did you know they used to make cars without catalytic converters ?
2K RC 4.7 4x4
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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
17:09:20
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Old Timer---> I'm not sure how you rock a car but I don't go all the way to park from drive and back to reverse then to park and then to drive...I only stated that pushing the brake wasn't required to shift out of PARK when other cars I've driven did. I never stated that the cars I've driven required the brake to shift from Drive to Reverse or vice versa, which they didn't. It's still possible to do that on every car I've driven.
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LEWNDI
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
17:41:16
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Hey Oldtimer
Don't you wish we could go back there sometimes.I sure do miss the good old days.
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Ben E-Farrer
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
17:48:26
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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My friend has a '88 Ford Ranger, it does not even need the key in the ignition to start the motor, or the brake pedal presses to shift the tranny.
(I think the igntion is screwed up..eh?)
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OldTimer
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
18:46:19
| RE: Warning about Auto Trans!
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Yep, SOME of the Good Old Days really were pretty good. 1931 Chevrolet Deluxe 5 Passenger Coupe (1951)
No doubt about that. Now I just drive the Dakota and the Lexus LS-400 and think about this great 3 on the floor with MECHANICAL brakes that froze up in slush. ggg. Sold it for $40 for College money.
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