2021 Ram 1500 Classic Slt on 2040-cars

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FCA recalling 323,000 cars for wiring, software issues

The Basics: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a voluntary recall for an estimated 323,361 cars in the US. The affected vehicles were built after September 23, 2014 and include: the 2015 Chrysler 200, Ram ProMaster City, Jeep Renegade, and 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokees. The Problem: An insufficient crimp in the vehicles' wiring harness may result in a solenoid fault code, which could cause the engine to stop. The loss of power could lead to an accident. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: FCA will update the affected vehicles' software and replace wire harnesses, as needed. According to FCA, owners that experience the problem can temporarily resolve the issue by restarting the vehicle. If you own one: FCA is reaching out to owners to schedule a service. Related Video: Statement: Wire Harness Crimp July 22, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 323,361 vehicles in the U.S. to update certain software and replace wire harnesses, as needed. An examination of warranty data led to an FCA US investigation that discovered an insufficient crimp in a wire harness. Such a crimp may lead to a solenoid fault code that can cause propulsion loss. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. Most vehicles in the recall population will not experience this fault code over their lifetimes. However, should the condition occur, it can typically be temporarily resolved by stopping the vehicle and re-starting its engine. Accordingly, FCA US urges customers to heed the instructions on their recall notices. Affected are certain model-year 2015 Chrysler 200 midsize sedans, Ram ProMaster City small vans, Jeep Renegade and Cherokee SUVs. Certain model-year 2014 Cherokees are also affected. A change made in the harness-manufacturing process eliminates the need to recall any vehicle built after Sept. 23, 2014. An estimated 35,511 additional vehicles in Canada are included in the campaign; as are 7,067 in Mexico; and 43,927 outside the NAFTA region. Customers will be advised when they may schedule service. Those with questions may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403. News Source: FCAImage Credit: AOL Recalls Chrysler Jeep RAM FCA jeep renegade ram promaster city

2023 Ram 1500 gets tech upgrades, Limited Elite special edition

The 2023 Ram light-duty and heavy-duty lineups gain a suite of minor upgrades and a revamped special edition. Starting with the 1500, all trims gain Rear-seat Reminder Alert and an LED hitch lamp in the tailgate handle. Models above the two Tradesman trims will have access to an optional 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster. The gauges can be displayed in digital or analogue form, further customization in the form of five configurable tiles and nearly 24 menus, and cluster configurations able to be saved to a particular user profile. Every 1500 trim that gets the 12-inch Uconnect 5 system will also get Stellantis' Emergency Vehicle Alert system, a boon for distracted drivers who might not realize there's an emergency vehicle approaching. The Ram 1500 Rebel will come with Selec-Speed Control standard. Swiped from Jeep and the TRX pickup, Selec-Speed Control is effectively off-road cruise control. Using buttons on the steering wheel, the driver can set the speed between 0.6 to 5 miles per hour when the transfer case is in 4WD Low. The feature will join the optional Back Country Package that can be optioned on the Big Horn and Lone Star trims, and the Off-Road Group available to the Big Horn, Lone Star, Laramie, Limited Longhorn and Limited trims. That Off-Road Group unlocks another goodie for 2023, being 22-inch all-terrain tires, but only for the Laramie, Limited Longhorn and Limited models. One special edition continues and another swings in. The Ram RED Edition carries on into 2023 for the Limited Crew Cab. It gets red RAM lettering in the grille and on the doors outside, the same again on the center console lid. For next year, it comes with a UV-C light in the glove box. Place an item in the glovebox and press a button a button on the center console, that light turns on for three minutes to kill pathogens like bacteria, viruses, mold and fungus. The RED model is part of Stellantis' pledge to help the Global Fund fight health emergencies in partnership with the 16-year-old non-profit RED. The new special trim is the 2023 Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition. This is Ram's continued swapping of names for special editions on the Limited, which has seen the 10th Anniversary and Southfork names in recent years. The $2,145 10th Anniversary Package rolls on into the new model year.

500+ hp Stellantis 'Hurricane' I6 previews a world without Hemis

After years of rumored development, Stellantis has revealed its new six-cylinder engine family. The 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged "Hurricane" I6 will offer V8 power, forced induction torque and six-cylinder efficiency in a package designed to fit into any of the company's North American rear-wheel-drive platforms.  What is "V8 power," exactly? Well, in standard output guise, the new I6 cranks out more than 400 horsepower (the specific figure will vary by application) and 450 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output variant is good for more than 500 horses and 475 lb-ft. The final figures will be dependent on the application. We'll save you a little legwork: In current Ram, Jeep and Dodge products, the 5.7-liter Hemi tops out at about 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, give or take, and the 6.4-liter around 485 hp and 475 lb-ft.    This is a clean-sheet design that is only related to the company's turbocharged four-cylinder by some common measurements. The I6 is exclusively direct-injection (no hybrid/port-injection here) and the two I6 variants share 96 common parts, including the block and oil pan design. The differences are found in their internals, intake plumbing, valvetrain components and the turbochargers themselves. Stellantis is not yet ready to share specs or supplier info for the turbos but says announcements will come from its partners soon.  The standard-output I6 has a compression ratio of 10.4:1 and revs to 5,800 rpm. It will run on regular fuel, albeit with reduced performance; 91 octane is recommended for maximum output. The high-output variant has a compression ratio of 9.4:1 and will rev to 6,100 rpm. That one will require premium. The new I6's advantages go beyond basic power output. Every Hemi family engine currently in production is based on an iron block design, so they're heavy. The aluminum-block I6 shaves weight off the total engine package, even if some of that gets added back thanks to the turbos and their associated plumbing. The standard-output I6 weighs 430 pounds, Stellantis engineers told us; the high-output adds just another 11. Fully dressed 5.7-liter V8s are in the 550-560-pound ballpark, and 6.4-liters close in on 600 pounds.  You may be wondering, "Why a clean-sheet gasoline engine now, when the industry is moving toward battery-electrics?" A valid inquiry, and one Stellantis was prepared to address. While the company will be pivoting to electrification over the next decade, it won't be instantaneous.