2020 Renegade Issues

That stinks....Keep bringing it to the dealer and if you don't get the desired results , move on to another dealer. I assume you are under warranty and I would get them to replace the transmission as it sounds you have a defective unit. Don't get frustrated, it can be fixed I do notice the shifting logic of the automatics is "different" in the Jeep/Fiat vehicles. I have a 2021 compass as a rental for work and it definitely tries to be in the highest gear all the time..drives me nuts lol.

Hi!

I completely agree with @montecarlossfan .

Natti, I am a great advocate of "the Chip", a small piece of electronic wizardry that gets fitted in a couple of minutes to your Jeep. It's available on line and sent to your door so no need to hunt around.

Before I say too much it's name is Go Pedal and many forum members have started using it and similar "chips" but are reporting back ever so dramatic improvements to their automatic gear changing. Reports have been that gear change is smooth, the Jeep is perkier with engine response, fuel consumption is reduced as miles per gallon increases etc etc etc.

Madness Autoworks that use this forum have a variety of "chips" that can be used and its is dependant on your model version.

As I have a diesel Jeep I sourced mine in the UK from a different supplier but cannot emphasise the improvemt I have felt over the last few years.

I will agree with everything said here and would like to add something about the way we all drive and the auto start/stop feature.

This is the third vehicle I own with this feature, all of which are Chrysler/Jeep/FCA and have noticed something that I am trying to avoid/test out in my Rene.

When at a complete stop and the auto start/stop engages, when the light turns green, if I hit the throttle right away eventually I will experience a clunk/jump when the tranny kicks in and while shifting during movement.

However, if I just wait a second after the engine starts, nothing. It shifts perfectly.

So far, I have been good as I have been aware of this while driving and I have learned to control my really heavy foot a bit more.

Excellent news indeed from 36Snares.

Natti I had a wee search of the forum and seen this link that I want to share with you. Simply click the red link to the Madness Autoworks topic on Go Pedal.

Go pedal from Madness Autoworks.

@puddlesplasher Thats good news about the GoPedal. I believe I’ll be giving that a go once I get my hands on the Renee again.

36Snares said:

I will agree with everything said here and would like to add something about the way we all drive and the auto start/stop feature.

This is the third vehicle I own with this feature, all of which are Chrysler/Jeep/FCA and have noticed something that I am trying to avoid/test out in my Rene.

When at a complete stop and the auto start/stop engages, when the light turns green, if I hit the throttle right away eventually I will experience a clunk/jump when the tranny kicks in and while shifting during movement.

However, if I just wait a second after the engine starts, nothing. It shifts perfectly.

So far, I have been good as I have been aware of this while driving and I have learned to control my really heavy foot a bit more.

Click to expand...

This must be a feature of newer models? My ‘17 Limited with the 2.4L doesn’t have this.

JasoninDLH said:

This must be a feature of newer models? My ‘17 Limited with the 2.4L doesn’t have this.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I believe so. By default, it shuts off the engine at a stop, and starts it again when you take your foot off the brake (maybe not with manual transmissions...?).

The feature can be disabled with the push of a button, but you have to disable it again after shutting the vehicle down.

I thought auto start-stop was going to absolutely drive me crazy. Until I test-drove a 2021 1.3T Renegade Trailhawk, and couldn't even notice the engine stopping and starting at red lights. It may have been because I was was being careful with the unfamiliar demo, and wasn't stomping on the accelerator right away...

Yes, I'm still waiting on the special-order Trailhawk to come in from Italy...

I have a 2020 TH and I have the same problems with the transmission shifting and being sluggish. I noticed when I am at a complete stop and start to go the vehicle hesitates. Also, the vehicle does not shift at the right time both upshifting and downshifting. I have heard about the GoPedal but when you buy a brand new vehicle you expect it to work correctly without having to add extras and spend more money on top of your monthly payment. The dealer checked the transmission and told me it's fine but logged it in my service record. At my next oil change which by the way, the dealer recommends at every 5,000 miles and not 10,000 miles as stated in the manual, I will have them check the transmission again.

Oh yeah, forgot to say I have the 1.3 turbo.

I noticed on my 1.3 turbo 2020 TH the gas saving mode that seems like the engine shuts off when fully braked at a stop, since my 2016 Limited did not have this feature. At first it bothered me a lot, but I got used to it. I learned how to get it ready to go, just before the light turns green, by letting up on the brake...Also if the brake is not fully pushed down you can go quicker from a stop. This is a gas saving mode for city driving and takes some getting used to for sure. At first I thought the vehicle was going to have a seizure since I tend to take off fast. I called the service department and they explained it to me and I got used to it quickly.

JasoninDLH said:

This must be a feature of newer models? My ‘17 Limited with the 2.4L doesn’t have this.

Click to expand...

Yes my 2016 did not have this but 2020 does. It takes some getting used to but is not a defect.

I turn off the gas saving mode everytime I use the vehicle. The acceleration is worse with it on however turning it off does not improve the hesitation or the transmission issue.

shells2skis said:

I turn off the gas saving mode everytime I use the vehicle. The acceleration is worse with it on however turning it off does not improve the hesitation or the transmission issue.

Click to expand...

This is an interesting note.

I am curious to see what happens with yours, having the auto start/stop turned off all the time.

Please keep us posted.

36Snares said:

I am curious to see what happens with yours, having the auto start/stop turned off all the time.

Click to expand...

Well, auto stop/start isn't turned off all the time -- it has to be turned off by pushing the button for each driving cycle.

With it turned off, there would be marginally-higher fuel consumption, and maybe marginally-faster acceleration from a stop.

Do current manual-transmission Renegades have this?

Marek K said:

Do current manual-transmission Renegades have this?

Click to expand...

I believe the current manual trannys do not have it.

shells2skis said:

I have a 2020 TH and I have the same problems with the transmission shifting and being sluggish. I noticed when I am at a complete stop and start to go the vehicle hesitates. Also, the vehicle does not shift at the right time both upshifting and downshifting. I have heard about the GoPedal but when you buy a brand new vehicle you expect it to work correctly without having to add extras and spend more money on top of your monthly payment. The dealer checked the transmission and told me it's fine but logged it in my service record. At my next oil change which by the way, the dealer recommends at every 5,000 miles and not 10,000 miles as stated in the manual, I will have them check the transmission again.

Click to expand...

Yeah, they recommend this because they use cheap oil and more changes means more money. If you use good quality synthetic and a matching filter there is no reason you can't go 8 to 10k between changes.
I am sympathetic of the transmission problem. Keep in mind that any new vehicle has the potential for these challenges. Have heart and good luck working it out.

Hunkeemoose said:

Yeah, they recommend this because they use cheap oil and more changes means more money. If you use good quality synthetic and a matching filter there is no reason you can't go 8 to 10k between changes.
I am sympathetic of the transmission problem. Keep in mind that any new vehicle has the potential for these challenges. Have heart and good luck working it out.

Click to expand...

Agreed and agreed. On a Yukon forum I’m on the new Yukon’s are having all sorts of issues. Definitely not just a Jeep thing.

JasoninDLH said:

@puddlesplasher Thats good news about the GoPedal. I believe I’ll be giving that a go once I get my hands on the Renee again.

Click to expand...

Similar chips are available for a variety of makes and models. A welcome addition for any vehicle

Marek K said:

Do current manual-transmission Renegades have this?

Click to expand...

My manual Renegade has auto start/stop but I keep it turned off. On occasion I must accidently hit the switch and sh1t myself as the car jumps into life at traffic lights.

36Snares said:

I believe the current manual trannys do not have it.

Click to expand...

My UK model has it, see above.