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Detroit 3 to implement delayed unified towing standards for 2015

Car buyers have a responsibility to be well-informed consumers. That's not always a very simple task, but some guidelines are self-evident. If you live in a very snowy climate, you generally know a Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro might not be as viable a vehicle choice as an all-wheel drive Explorer or Traverse, for example. If you want a fuel-efficient car, it's generally a good idea to know the difference between a diesel and a hybrid. But what if it's kind of tough to be an informed consumer? What if the information you need is more difficult to come by, or worse, based on different standards for each vehicle? Well, in that case, you might be a truck shopper.
For years, customers of light-duty pickups have had to suffer through different ratings of towing capacities for each brand. For 2015 model year trucks, though, that will no longer be a problem. According to Automotive News, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group have announced that starting with next year's models, a common standard will be used to measure towing capacity. The Detroit Three will join Toyota, which adopted the Society of Automotive Engineers' so-called SAE J2807 standards way back in 2011.
The standard was originally supposed to be in place for MY2013, but concerns that it would lower the overall stated capacity for trucks led Detroit automakers to pass. Ford originally passed, claiming it'd wait until its new F-150 was launched to adopt the new standards, leading GM and Ram to follow suit. Nissan, meanwhile, has said it will adopt the new standards as its vehicles are updated, meaning the company's next-generation Titan should adhere to the same tow ratings as its competitors.

FCA recalls 2019-20 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks for transmission fluid leak

Once transmission fluid goes into the transmission, there's a general expectation that it will stay inside. On some 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, that ain't happenin'. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a recall campaign on January 24,  due to transmission fluid leaking from the dipstick tube on vehicles with a six-speed automatic (codenamed 68RFE) transmission.  NHTSA recall No. 20V043000 states that 84,978 trucks are potentially affected. On select Ram work trucks, "a buildup of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak." Due to the location of where the leak might occur, the transmission fluid could drip onto the nearby turbocharger or "another ignition source within the engine compartment." Should this occur, it's a fire risk. The recall breaks down to 64,590 units of the 2500 pickup and 19,612 of the 3500. FCA estimates that only 1% of the roughly 85,000 vehicles have the defect.  As a fix, Chrylser will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. Chrysler will officially begin the recall process on March 14, and all owners will be notified. Related Video:    

2020 Ram 2500 Power Wagon spied, retains live axles and winch

We enjoy the Ram 2500 Power Wagon quite a bit here at Autoblog. It's big, brash and distinctly old-school. The basis for the current truck — the Ram Heavy Duty — goes back nearly a decade, so we've been looking forward to the updated version, especially given just how good the new Ram 1500 is. These new spy shots don't reveal too much, but it looks like the new Power Wagon will be just as capable as the outgoing model. Underneath, you can see that the Power Wagon will stick with a live axle both front and rear. It also looks like the truck might have a sway bar disconnect. The front bumper looks like it will still have a winch, likely another Warn-supplied unit. The wheels and tires are the same as the outgoing model, though the former might get an update when the production car hits the road. We don't know what's under the hood, but we're hoping FCA's sweet 6.4-liter Hemi V8 carries over. You can't make out much of the styling through the camouflage, but, like the current truck, expect it to look a lot like the Ram 1500 Rebel. The fenders look a little higher, and the front lighting is obviously LED. Like the exterior, the Power Wagon's interior should look a lot like the Ram 1500's. Look for more on the Power Wagon and the new 2020 Ram 2500 early next year. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2020 Ram 2500 Power Wagon View 16 Photos Image Credit: SpiedBilde Spy Photos RAM Truck Off-Road Vehicles Performance ram power wagon ram 2500 power wagon