Hey all,

Would like to introduce myself and my brand new 2008.5 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel I got at Des Sources Dodge Chrysler Jeep less than 2 weeks ago, not even 1000 km on it yet :)

My GF and I were'nt big SUV fan at first, especially just for droping the kid at the daycare and commuting only 50km per day (we only have one car and my gf drives it, I take the suburban train to go to work downtown).

Also, I always like to drive "fast" and tight, even tracking once in a while, and still being a great everyday commuter and versatile car, things that was possible with my actual Subaru Impreza Wagon 2.5i manual.

But we always love camping and the GC Diesel as come to my mind months ago to tow a decent RV eventually (7200lbs) while being fuel-efficient for everyday commuting and pratical for a family, all that with a powerful and smooth Mercedes engine and a rock-solid Jeep powertrain but the tag price and the need for it now then was not in a hurry.

Luckily for me, the phenomenal rebate (15k below MSRP) because of the economic situation and the annouced discontinue of the GC Diesel made the weight in the balance so I started to make calls and find one finally at Des Sources, 40km from my place, and thrust me, 3 weeks ago they were really hard to find and just forget to find one now in Quebec.

So you understand I did'nt have much choice for mine but here it is and I really like it :)

(sorry for the picture quality, it was a rainy day and I had to finish a waterproof single-use camera we had for our last trip)







I would have take the green color but I really like the silver too, at least does'nt look dirty when it is (who says a dirty Jeep looks good doh!)

In details, from factory it's a Laredo trim with Diesel and popular equipments package (QT-II, larger battery-gen, fog, leather, sunroof, premium audio, 115V, remote starter, hill up-down assist, etc), Gr-IV tow package and 18in polished alloys / tires.

On top of that, I added the U-Connect Bluetooth phone, bug deflector, 5 years gold warranty, Sherlock marking, lifetime rust treatment protection and 6 years protected value replacement warranty, all within our budget :)


Now after some days of driving, I could tell I'm really impressed with the machine! What a torque monster with TCS disable hahaha!! I'm also really pleased of the great handling in curve and how smooth it is, even with the 18". Brakes are little too prime for me, but of course they are brand new so. Interior is great, seating position is excellent and cluster/EVIC clear day and night. And, the engine is, wow, so smooth and there is no smell at all, my father could'nt believe it was a Diesel (he is a city bus driver and had Jetta Diesel in the past too) and he greatly discouraged me to get one before he saw it.

I know I will need to plug it on cold night (-20C) over the next winters and it will take significantly more time to heat up the cabin but thanks to the integrated remote starter in the keyfob!

Also, I already had my first trouble so far!!! Suddently the alarm went on because of a faulty LIFTGATE OPEN EVIC message... I checked and unpluged the backglass one (purple wire) to no avail so it left the door hatch one being defective (this one is'nt easly reachable). It happened to me on Friday so I could'nt lock the car the hole long week-end which sucks... well, at least the dealer took care of it and changed the hatch lock/sensor unit. Hope this problem is not a sign of a lemon :p

I also noticed 2 strange things I asked the dealer and told me it's normal... but what do you think:
-There is a lot of black deposit all around above the coolant overflow tank and even some black bubbles in the coolant... normal??
-There is a big 1½" inner punch in the turbo downpipe like it was knock on something prior to install... normal???

Anyway, I'm bulletproof warranty for 5-year but I want to take great care of my Jeep so I can keep it for long. I already noticed it need "low-ash" certified 5W-30 oil, any recommendations?

And upcomming "mods" are HID 6000k headlight and 4000k foglight (still legal in Canada), BlueTec badges on side doors, air intake enhancement (K&N drop-in, cone filter??) and DVD for the kid!

Not to forget winter tires and rims (mandatory in Quebec) but I'm wondering how the EVIC will react with 4 non-TPMS rims-tires installed??

And more pics to come too and I'm glad to be now part of the Jeep community ;)

P.S. Sorry for my poor English, French is my mothertongue

 

nice pics of a proud owner .

 

Good report. I too have a 2008.5 S Limited GC diesel and just love it. The power and smoothness is exceptional while getting great mileage. I have driven it 10,000km and the pulling power and pickup with the turbo is far superior to any gas engine I have driven. My GC is all decked out with about every option and really lke the camera, Nav system and overall ride and quietness. One thing I think could be improved is to have a 6 speed automatic with a little taller top gear. The engine has plenty of torque to handle it and likely fuel economy would improve even more not that I am complaining about 10.0 /100km.

 

Hi All,
Congrats on new purchase. I just bought mine two weeks ago as well at Londonderry Dodge Jeep in Edmonton. Not a lot of time this morning but will be checking back often. Wife and I are curious why no TOW/HAUL switch on console as we bought it for trailer pulling and fuel econmy. My old '94 JGC had an overdrive on/off switch for trailer pulling

 

That's funny, I just bought an RV yesterday! Sunset Trail (by CrossRoads) model ST31QB-P, 31 ft long, 6000 lbs dry weight, fiberglass unit, bolted alu frame, really nice!

For the tow-haul button, look at Section 5 from the 2008 owner's manual

The Diesel does'nt come with the tow button because on papier, the engine has reach max torque at 1600RPM (up to 2800, thanks to variable-geometry turbo), which is enough torque to tow 7200 lbs even in 5th speed tranny and as for "engine compression braking", Diesel is already a compression-only engine is just release the throttle is enough to benifit of it vs the use of a special tow button that will force gasoline engine to compression.


Regarding my RV, I'm not affraid for weight at least... my Diesel 4x4 is rated 7200 lbs (4x2 is 7400 lbs) and the unit weight 6000. For the tranny thus, I would follow like the owner's manual said, don't use upper gear in city or frequent stop/go situation. Engage in manual speed selection like to 3 or 4 until you've reached the highway and check tranny fluid often, or even switch to synthetic ATF.

What I'm more affraid of is sway... some salesman and friend told me the GC has a too short wheelbase to tow 30+ ft trailer, even with addon mechanical anti-sway.

First I think state of the art rules should be follow for the hitch, torsion bar, anti-sway and trailer electronic brake controller calibration.

Second, not all trailer are created the same. Tires, suspension, chassis design, height, etc are all factors to prone sway. Mine is equipped with 16in wheel and more rigid tire sidewalls, comes with equi-flex suspension, fiberglass, great front aerodynamics and underbelly one-piece membrane that create a "ground effect" that help reducing sway.

And I know the GC with factory tow package also come with an electronic anti-sway that monitor lateral G-Force on the rear axle and will counteract by applying brakes on the opposite direction of the sway to the front wheel of the truck and by slower engine speed.

Anyway, I'll see with time how the trailer react in high wind condition or when semi-truck with 53ft will pass me fast on the side.

Now I'm just concerned about backing-up a 31-ft long, 8-ft large trailer in my 9½ ft house's court opening!!!