Newly Purchased 2010 GC 4.0L Beast - Questions, Thoughts?

Hi all,

We just took delivery of a 2010 Dodge GC 4.0L with all the trimmings. More toys than I ever wanted in a house on wheels. Sheesh... Kids better be happy!

I digress...

A few questions!

She seems to idle a tad rough in drive. The dealer is willing to look at it, but I'm not even sure it's an actual problem. Just rumbles. That normal?

Below 50-55mph, she rides like a dream. On the highway, especially when accelerating up to about 70-75, she gets a little rough and bumpy. Now, it has the 17" wheels/tires and the "sport suspension" (whatever that means). I read on Edmunds that as a result, the highway ride is bumpier than similar vans without the "sport suspension". This sound right?

The book "recommends" using 89 octane, but that 87 is "acceptable". What should I use, and does it matter?

Book also mentions no need for any additives to the fuel. But I'm a big believer in FI cleaners a few times a year... Your thoughts? What should I use, if anything?

And finally. The dealer told us about a program Chrysler has which is the ability to purchase a "lifetime warranty". Chrysler-backed, not a 3rd-party: Bumper to bumper. We didn't, but it's $2,300 roughly and we can buy until next year. On the surface, when I think of all the things that have gone wrong with my vehicles over the past decade (an '02 GC Sport and an '02 Intrepid that's now gone), this looks like a no-brainer. Am I missing something? Being a sap? What do you gurus know of this, and do you think it's worth it?

Thanks, everyone! I hope y'all have a terrific 4th!

Chris

I am not at all up to speed on the 5th generation vans but here's my 2cs.

Rough idle - ?

89 vs 87 octane - I would use whatever keeps the engine from pinging. That's the only thing higher octane gas is designed to do on mass market engines. It can make a deference in performance in high compression high performance engines but most of us don't run Monaco or Indy on a regular basis.

Additives - I haven't used a drop in 35+ years. Todays gasolines are chocked full of additives to keep your injectors clean as a whistle.

Lifetime warranty - Haven't heard of it but sounds like it may be worth at least investigating. Chrysler Corp vans don't exactly have a stellar history. We bought an extended warranty on our RAV4 at the wifes insistence. They wanted $1200 for it. I got them down to $900. I was in the "it's a waste of money" camp, especially on a Toyota. Well, 3+ years later the wife was once again right. Paid a $100 deductible for $2300 dollars worth of work.

Fuel additives are snake oil. They accomplish nothing. The only way to clean fuel injectors is on a high pressure bench cleaner.

IF you plan on keeping the van for a very long time the warranty is a good idea. If you change vehicles every 3-4 years you most likely will not see the benefits from it.

Thanks, fellas! All awesome info. We plan on having this thing for about a decade, perhaps more; which is standard issue for us. THANKS!

CB