Challenger question for you guys (esp the MOPAR fans out there)....

Silverado · 09-05-2010, 03:39 PM

Can anyone tell me about the Challengers and the "skip-shift" feature? As some of you know, I started working at a Dodge dealer recently, as a Service Advisor. A customer came in and based on his "complaint", I told him it sounded like the normal operation of the skip shift. He said he didn't know what I was talking about. Not really having all the time in the world, I took him up to his salesperson and asked him to explain the feature to HIS customer.

Well, the salesperson told me that he didn't know what a skip-shift feature was and the Challenger didn't come with anything like that. At first, I thought, okay, maybe I was wrong. But, having just read a few things on-line, I think I'm right.

I say the Challengers have the skip-shift feature (1st to 4th under light throttle). Am I right or wrong?

The other question would be is the skip-shift only on the V8's or does the V6 have it too?

I want to contact this customer and make sure he has the right answer/info about his car. I think this level of service will help me continue to earn his business as well.

Being a bit unsure, I knew this would be the place to come for good advice and the right answer.

Thanks guys (and gals) for any responses.

Oh, since I got to talking with this guy a bit too, I know he'd be interested in the eliminator. Can anyone give me the link to a place that I could point him so he could purchase the skip-shift eliminator for his Challenger?

Thanks again.

Blownhotrodder · 09-05-2010, 04:01 PM

www.challengertalk.com

That is a great site for challenger lovers and has all the answers and vendors you could ask for.

formare · 09-05-2010, 04:44 PM

Dude forgive the obvious statement.. But you are the service expert the customer is turning to. if you don't know then who in the hell would?

rmnc3r · 09-05-2010, 04:58 PM

http://www.challengertalk.com/forums...minator-43638/

This challenger forum does not seem to have as many gearheads and their plethora of knowledge as this forum does, but the #2 poster is right,
just gotta learn to use the search function.

...I'd like a Challenger SRT8 in my garage if I could afford an extra car.

CaniacFan · 09-05-2010, 05:23 PM

Sounds like you gotta a lot of homework to do. My brother just traded his R/T yesterday for another Hemi Orange Metallic STR-8. I do know that the R/T did not have skip-shift, I rode in it with him.

Start reading and learning. No offense, but this is what gives service departments a bad name - staff that has no flying clue about the product they are servicing.

Silverado · 09-05-2010, 06:09 PM

Service expert? HAH. I just started there....they haven't run me through any product training yet, just training on their computer system and the "Chrysler Customer Service" stuff.

Plus, any of the reading I've been doing has been on the problems I've been seeing (apparently their MyGig thing really sucks and this UConnect thing is pretty damn expensive). This was the first Challenger I've had come through and the first time anyone has had this problem.

I didn't think I would be able to do a search on their forum without being a member and I'm currently not a member of their forum.

rmnc3r · 09-05-2010, 07:28 PM

Join Challengertalk,com and dodgechallenger.com
It is free to join most any forum

Blownhotrodder · 09-05-2010, 08:43 PM

As far as I know you should be able to search without being a member. Only takes 1 minute to find out. Takes 2 to register.

ckaram · 09-05-2010, 09:35 PM

One second search on google, first result:

http://www.challengertalk.com/forums...ift-gone-7121/

Silverado · 09-05-2010, 09:58 PM

Thanks, ckaram, I just found that thread myself.

My search prior to posting this thread didn't turn up much....evidently MSN's searching sucks.

A couple other threads that I saw indicated that maybe not all Challengers have the skip-shift, but no one said anything about how to tell for sure.

Thanks again.

kevin2323 · 09-06-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado

Thanks, ckaram, I just found that thread myself.

My search prior to posting this thread didn't turn up much....evidently MSN's searching sucks.

A couple other threads that I saw indicated that maybe not all Challengers have the skip-shift, but no one said anything about how to tell for sure.

Thanks again.

six speeds have them

oldfriend · 09-06-2010, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaniacFan

Sounds like you gotta a lot of homework to do. My brother just traded his R/T yesterday for another Hemi Orange Metallic STR-8. I do know that the R/T did not have skip-shift, I rode in it with him.

Start reading and learning. No offense, but this is what gives service departments a bad name - staff that has no flying clue about the product they are servicing.

SERVICE ADVISER ? And why i am not surprised !?!?!?

*DGthe3* · 09-06-2010, 03:17 AM

Skipshift is very common on American V8 manual cars. The Camaro, Corvette, Challenger, and Mustang all have it. Even the Dodge Viper has it. V6's don't have it because they usualy get much better city mileage on their own, plus they don't have enough grunt to pull it off. Main reason why all the cars I listed have it is because they all pretty much share the same Tremec transmission. Consequently, dealing with it is the same for all cars with CAGS/Skip-shift: you can drive more aggressively (which is pretty much what the engineers intended), bypass it yourself with a resistor, or get a skipshift eliminator. Oddly enough, people generally prefer the most expensive option (the eliminator) vs changing their driving habits or the dirt cheap DIY method. Easiest way to avoid it is to hold 1st a little longer (25 mph should do it) and is probably what you should recommend if you are working at a dealership.

Don't you have access to better info at the dealership about what the cars have? By better, I mean better than what you can get off of an enthusiast forum for a competing car.

Silverado · 09-06-2010, 09:15 AM

You would think we would have access to better info. And, we actually might have that access, but no one has shown me where to look (I've looked around a bit too and couldn't find anything). No one there could tell me anything about this particular issue when I asked. They all looked at me like I just completely made up the skip-shift thing.

We don't have internet access at our stations (apparently only the office people are allowed on the internet), so I couldn't even go search there.

Like I said, I've only been there 3 weeks and I've been dealing with far more Caravans, Town & Countries, Calibers, Liberties, Nitros, and Cherokees than anything, so I've studied up a bit on those vehicles. This was the first Challenger we've had come through for anything more than an oil change. We've had two Vipers come through, but they only get handled by one specific person and he's the guy that does the work too.

I did actually recommend the guy adjust his driving habits and from the feeling I got from him, he probably did. I just thought if I had another option to give him it would help.

As far as better info than here....well, I've seen lots a really good, reliable information come out of this forum, so I thought it would be a good place to ask.

Thanks for the response DGthe3. I appreciate the info.

09-05-2010, 03:39 PM	#1
Silverado GM Guy For Life Drives: 2010 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 971 View My Garage	Challenger question for you guys (esp the MOPAR fans out there).... Can anyone tell me about the Challengers and the "skip-shift" feature? As some of you know, I started working at a Dodge dealer recently, as a Service Advisor. A customer came in and based on his "complaint", I told him it sounded like the normal operation of the skip shift. He said he didn't know what I was talking about. Not really having all the time in the world, I took him up to his salesperson and asked him to explain the feature to HIS customer. Well, the salesperson told me that he didn't know what a skip-shift feature was and the Challenger didn't come with anything like that. At first, I thought, okay, maybe I was wrong. But, having just read a few things on-line, I think I'm right. I say the Challengers have the skip-shift feature (1st to 4th under light throttle). Am I right or wrong? The other question would be is the skip-shift only on the V8's or does the V6 have it too? I want to contact this customer and make sure he has the right answer/info about his car. I think this level of service will help me continue to earn his business as well. Being a bit unsure, I knew this would be the place to come for good advice and the right answer. Thanks guys (and gals) for any responses. Oh, since I got to talking with this guy a bit too, I know he'd be interested in the eliminator. Can anyone give me the link to a place that I could point him so he could purchase the skip-shift eliminator for his Challenger? Thanks again.

09-05-2010, 04:44 PM	#3
formare The Milano Drives: 2017 Firefly ShipWorks Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland (Crown Point, IN) Posts: 1,877 View My Garage	Dude forgive the obvious statement.. But you are the service expert the customer is turning to. if you don't know then who in the hell would? __________________ My first Love. She was called "Miss Carriage" (still cry when I think about her) 383, Muncie 4 speed, custom linkage mated to hurst short throw shifter.

09-05-2010, 09:35 PM	#9
ckaram Drives: 2011 2SS RS, 1968 ragtop Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,850	One second search on google, first result: http://www.challengertalk.com/forums...ift-gone-7121/ __________________ 1968 Camaro Convertible LS1, T56

09-06-2010, 03:17 AM	#13
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	Skipshift is very common on American V8 manual cars. The Camaro, Corvette, Challenger, and Mustang all have it. Even the Dodge Viper has it. V6's don't have it because they usualy get much better city mileage on their own, plus they don't have enough grunt to pull it off. Main reason why all the cars I listed have it is because they all pretty much share the same Tremec transmission. Consequently, dealing with it is the same for all cars with CAGS/Skip-shift: you can drive more aggressively (which is pretty much what the engineers intended), bypass it yourself with a resistor, or get a skipshift eliminator. Oddly enough, people generally prefer the most expensive option (the eliminator) vs changing their driving habits or the dirt cheap DIY method. Easiest way to avoid it is to hold 1st a little longer (25 mph should do it) and is probably what you should recommend if you are working at a dealership. Don't you have access to better info at the dealership about what the cars have? By better, I mean better than what you can get off of an enthusiast forum for a competing car. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Normalcy Is Not An Option	6 Shooter	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	8	03-06-2010 12:12 PM
Road Trip and a Question For You Guys	Seawolf	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	52	01-05-2010 11:56 PM
Question for CA guys	Jeanius	USA - California	2	10-07-2009 12:45 AM
reno guys Question	Iroczlover	USA - Southwest	2	07-10-2009 11:04 AM
Hey guys, I've got a quick question about Credit Unions...	nUcLeArEnVoY	Camaro Price \| Ordering \| Tracking \| Dealers Discussions	1	07-09-2009 02:51 PM

09-05-2010, 04:01 PM	#2
Blownhotrodder Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clarkesville , GEORGIA Posts: 1,857	www.challengertalk.com That is a great site for challenger lovers and has all the answers and vendors you could ask for.

09-05-2010, 04:58 PM	#4
rmnc3r Drives: me up the wall. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 471	http://www.challengertalk.com/forums...minator-43638/ This challenger forum does not seem to have as many gearheads and their plethora of knowledge as this forum does, but the #2 poster is right, just gotta learn to use the search function. ...I'd like a Challenger SRT8 in my garage if I could afford an extra car.

09-05-2010, 05:23 PM	#5
CaniacFan Drives: '10 SS CGM #75,288, '14 Stingray Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,938	Sounds like you gotta a lot of homework to do. My brother just traded his R/T yesterday for another Hemi Orange Metallic STR-8. I do know that the R/T did not have skip-shift, I rode in it with him. Start reading and learning. No offense, but this is what gives service departments a bad name - staff that has no flying clue about the product they are servicing.

09-05-2010, 06:09 PM	#6
Silverado GM Guy For Life Drives: 2010 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 971 View My Garage	Service expert? HAH. I just started there....they haven't run me through any product training yet, just training on their computer system and the "Chrysler Customer Service" stuff. Plus, any of the reading I've been doing has been on the problems I've been seeing (apparently their MyGig thing really sucks and this UConnect thing is pretty damn expensive). This was the first Challenger I've had come through and the first time anyone has had this problem. I didn't think I would be able to do a search on their forum without being a member and I'm currently not a member of their forum.

09-05-2010, 07:28 PM	#7
rmnc3r Drives: me up the wall. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 471	Join Challengertalk,com and dodgechallenger.com It is free to join most any forum

09-05-2010, 08:43 PM	#8
Blownhotrodder Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clarkesville , GEORGIA Posts: 1,857	As far as I know you should be able to search without being a member. Only takes 1 minute to find out. Takes 2 to register.

09-05-2010, 09:58 PM	#10
Silverado GM Guy For Life Drives: 2010 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 971 View My Garage	Thanks, ckaram, I just found that thread myself. My search prior to posting this thread didn't turn up much....evidently MSN's searching sucks. A couple other threads that I saw indicated that maybe not all Challengers have the skip-shift, but no one said anything about how to tell for sure. Thanks again.

09-06-2010, 09:15 AM	#14
Silverado GM Guy For Life Drives: 2010 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 971 View My Garage	You would think we would have access to better info. And, we actually might have that access, but no one has shown me where to look (I've looked around a bit too and couldn't find anything). No one there could tell me anything about this particular issue when I asked. They all looked at me like I just completely made up the skip-shift thing. We don't have internet access at our stations (apparently only the office people are allowed on the internet), so I couldn't even go search there. Like I said, I've only been there 3 weeks and I've been dealing with far more Caravans, Town & Countries, Calibers, Liberties, Nitros, and Cherokees than anything, so I've studied up a bit on those vehicles. This was the first Challenger we've had come through for anything more than an oil change. We've had two Vipers come through, but they only get handled by one specific person and he's the guy that does the work too. I did actually recommend the guy adjust his driving habits and from the feeling I got from him, he probably did. I just thought if I had another option to give him it would help. As far as better info than here....well, I've seen lots a really good, reliable information come out of this forum, so I thought it would be a good place to ask. Thanks for the response DGthe3. I appreciate the info.