Buying A 2021 Dodge Durango Gt

Discussion in 'Automotive' started by Cody Fousnaugh, Oct 18, 2023.

  1. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Actually the salesman showed us the battery. He pulled the seat all the way back and the lid that covers the battery is right there. Lift up the one end and the lid comes off. Right there is the battery. And, we bought this vehicle knowing the battery was there.

    The oil filler cap is on top of something that appears to be a housing over the carburetor. The windshield washing fluid container is huge, that is, compared to the old 2005 Durango we had.

    IOW, anything, and I do mean "anything" happens/breaks down on this Durango, it goes directly to the Dodge Dealer. We paid for three Repair Plans that will pretty much take care of anything on this vehicle. We have a Goodyear credit card, but don't know if we will ever use them again. But, when we need new tires, will get them at either Goodyear or Big "O". Will probably put the same type of tires on that our old Durango had (Wrangler All-Terrain).
     
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  2. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    :eek:
     
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  3. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Have a question here for you "backyard" auto mechanics (I use to be one): Have a OBII Scanning Tool that I used on our old 2005 Dodge Durango if the Engine Malfunction Light came on. I found out by doing some research where that is plugged into, HOWEVER, the Owners Manual states "Only have a qualified technician look at it." Does that mean that I shouldn't use this Scanning Tool, if, by chance, the Engine Check Light (same as Engine Malfunction Light) should come on?
     
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  4. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Anyone have an answer here? Even a guess would be ok. :D
     
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  5. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    We are not going to tell you unless you have an avatar.
    @Ken Anderson has spoken, do not interact with people who do not put up an avatar of some kind.
     
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  6. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    If all you want to do is read codes, there's no reason why you can't plug the scanner into the port on your vehicle. In fact, if you go to a local auto parts store they will often go out to the car and read the codes for you. (At least the Pep Boys here will do that.)
     
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  7. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
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    The owner’s manual for your old Durango probably said the exact same thing.

    By the bye, you need an Avatar. Good rodeo people dress accordingly to the specs and good writers on SoC go according to the specs too.
     
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    Last edited: Mar 23, 2024
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  8. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    There you go! Avatar back.
     
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  9. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Avatar on!
     
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  10. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Called the Dealership today and talked to a guy we know there. He asked me, "why do you want to check out the code? Just bring it to us and we will check it out and fix the reason why the Check Engine Light came on." I told him, "we bought the scanner, because the Check Engine Light, on our old 2005 Durango, kept coming on intermittently and we didn't want to get whatever was wrong fixed, due to cost. So, I'd use the scanner to turn the Check Engine Light off."

    Apparently, there was something wrong in the main computer, but it wasn't affecting the operation of the vehicle. We kept driving the old Durango and drove it all the way here to Nevada from northern Colorado without a problem.

    If, and when, the Check Engine Light/Malfunction Light, comes on, I will, if I can find the plug-in spot for the scanner, run the scanner and see what it says. That is, if the scanner that we have will even plug into this 2021 Durango.
     
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  11. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    If you got an extended warranty, I'm not sure you want to tell the dealer that when the CEL light comes on, you're gonna just turn it off.

    I guess it's too late.
     
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  12. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Not turn it off our new Durango GT, only try to connect the Scanner up to it and read/research the codes. We only turned off the CEL (Check Engine Light) on the 2005. Would never jeopardize our new Durango by doing something like "shut off the CEL".
     
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  13. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    The dealer doesn't know that. If you have a maintenance plan, they don't want you messing with it at all.
     
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  14. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Yes, we have a maintenance plan, but simply plugging in the Scanner to get codes, and research them, wouldn't hurt anything. Guess the guy at the dealership doesn't like anyone doing anything to their own vehicle. If the Scanner does fit into the connection, there is no reason why I couldn't check to see what the code/codes are and research them myself. I mean, when necessary, I do have to add air to tires, add oil and windshield wiper fluid. We've already got rid of some extra things that we had for our old Durango. Because of the plans we did buy, I wouldn't try to repair anything on this Durango and, plugging in a Scanner to check Repair Codes, if the Scanner does fit, definitely isn't a "repair" thing.
     
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  15. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    New Update to the Durango: Since we are planning on buying an Air Purifier, I thought I'd check the Cabin Filter in our Durango. When the hood is up and engine is off, I can see the filter. Have no idea when that filter was last changed, but what I do know is, I sure can't do it! It does look somewhat dirty, but will have to let the Dealership/Service change it. IOW, the glove compartment has to be taken out and then put back in after a new filter is put in.

    Then I took a look at the level of the Coolant fluid. It was a hair under the "Min" (Minimum) line. I tried to get the cap off, not knowing that I have to push/turn to get the cap off. Believe it or not, this 2021 Dodge Durango GT has its own required, not recommended, coolant. Stopped at the Dodge Dealer yesterday, where we bought the Durango, and the Parts Dept. Manager showed us the bottle of coolant that is required to use in our Durango. He told us, "The only coolant you can use is this. Use any other, like from Walmart or a Parts Store, will completely mess up your engine." I looked it up in the Owners Manual and he was 100% right! The gallon of Mopar Coolant cost us $30. Again, believe it or not, it Organic coolant! Sure glad we didn't buy coolant from Walmart or a Parts Store.

    First vehicle ever owned that had its own brand of coolant and not to use any other kind.

    Unbelievable how much dust, with high wind, we get here. I ended up having to wipe down the top parts of the engine area that had dust all over it. Never had that in either Colorado or Florida.
     
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