2013 Dodge Dart: Fuel Economy Update for July
August 2, 2013
We've had our 2013 Dodge Dart about seven months and in that time we've driven it 12,705 miles, which works out to 1,815 miles per month. And that tally includes this past July, a fairly light month in which slightly less than 1,000 new miles were added.
Still, we'll reach our 20,000-mile goal if we can manage 1,450 miles per month through the end of the year. I think we can handle that.
2013 Dodge Dart: Overselling MPG
August 1, 2013
I hate the way fuel economy is marketed and sold, and this 2013 Dodge Dart billboard is Exhibit A. Let's run down what's wrong with it.
The "41 mpg" Dart is really only good for 32 mpg. That's the EPA Combined rating, the one that really applies in day-in-day-out usage. Most car owners have a hard enough time matching EPA Combined. The highway by itself number is fairly useless.
The "41 mpg" Dart is in fact the Dodge Dart Aero, but by not disclosing that little nugget this billboard implies all Darts are good for 41 mpg on the highway.
The "41 mpg" Dart Aero is a $3,300 option package available only on the base SE trim. It's not standard equipment.
The "41 mpg" Dart Aero is not the one pictured on the billboard. They're showing an SXT with the Rallye package that looks exactly like our long-term test car. A real 2013 Dart SE Aero won't have the tough looking blackout headlights, blackout accent paint or fog lights. I just asked Dodge public relations for a stock photograph of a 2013 Dart SE Aero and they didn't have one.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Missing Fender Clip
July 31, 2013
A clip from the 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye's right rear inner fender has popped out.
Since one of the door handles also previously came off in my hand, I'll be honest, I'm starting to have some questions about the build quality of the new Dodge Dart.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Tire Inflation
July 25, 2013
After reading Ed Hellwig's post about the Dart's low tire pressure, I decided to recheck them myself, to see if maybe we had a slow leak. Another reason I did this was because I have a cool tire pressure pump and wanted a chance to use it. I'm a bit of a fanatic about tire pressure because it is so important for safety and fuel economy. But getting the right setting is tricky, since temperature affects the pressure and the temperature and road conditions are often changing. As I drove home I watched the pressure climb as the tires warmed up. Once I got home, I sprung into action.
2013 Dodge Dart: Touchy Tire Monitor
July 23, 2013
When I saw the TPMS light come on in our 2013 Dodge Dart I was a bit concerned. According to the owner's manual, or "user's guide" as Dodge calls it in the Dart, the warning light will only come on when there's a significant drop in pressure in one of the tires.
2013 Dodge Dart: Shifter Noise
July 16, 2013
I spent some time in our 2013 Dodge Dart recently. One thing stuck out as a bit annoying to me. The shifter.
2013 Dodge Dart: New Windshield Makes a Better Door
July 15, 2013
By now you know that we received a new windshield for our 2013 Dodge Dart. Everything seemed fine until there was a little early morning condensation on the glass. Guess they forgot to clean it? That's a green traffic signal you're seeing under the grime, by the way.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Touchy Brakes
July 10, 2013
Our long-term 2013 Dodge Dart has sensitive brakes. You roll to a red light or a stop sign, roll onto the pedal gently, then lurch. Even light pressure brings a quick clamp. This proves useful for unexpected slowing at highway speeds, and indeed our Dart slows itself better than most in its class. The Dart requires 117 feet to stop from 60 mph; most in the class require 120 feet or more.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Knuckle Sandwich
July 9, 2013
This thick-rimmed steering wheel doesn't seem out of place in Dodge's Charger, for example, but it feels incongruous in the 2013 Dart. While the rest of the interior feels sportishly compact, this chunky pipe wheel feels like it belongs at the front end of at least 300 horsepower. Even then you might not like it, depending on your preference.
2013 Dodge Dart: Fuel Economy Update for June
July 3, 2013
Here is the June fuel economy update for our long-term 2013 Dodge Dart. In the past month we drove the Dart 1,200 miles. This falls 500 miles short of our monthly goal. After 7 months of service, however, we are exactly on track to reach our 20,000-mile long-term goal for the car.
2013 Dodge Dart: Finally, a New Windshield
July 1, 2013
Our 2013 Dodge Dart finally has a new windshield. And we didn't have to pay a cent because the break was deemed a stress crack that was covered by warranty.
We'll never know if the original glass had a manufacturing defect, was nicked ever so slightly during handling at the factory or was installed slightly askew. Nothing ever looked wrong or improper from where we sat. All we know is it spontaneously fractured on the inside.
2013 Dodge Dart: Trunk versus Dog Food
June 27, 2013
My wife and I recently headed to the pet store in the 2013 Dodge Dart to buy a big bag of dog food.
As Kelly recently pointed out, the remote trunk release is nice, but it doesn't open the trunk all that much. No problem, it's got that "lightweight lid" she talked about.
2013 Dodge Dart: These Sun Visors Have the Side Windows Covered
June 25, 2013
If you're tall like me you know that side window visor coverage is no small matter. Visors that fall short leave a huge gap for those that scoot the seat all the way back, and a lot of cars and trucks fall into this category.
Our 2014 Mazda CX-5 is one of them, but the 2013 Dodge Dart has it covered.
2013 Dodge Dart: Replacement Windshield AWOL
June 24, 2013
Three weeks and six days. That's how long it has been since I first brought our 2013 Dodge Dart to Glenn E Thomas Dodge on May 28th to have them look at its cracked windshield.
If you'll remember the crack was on the inside, where I could feel it with my fingernail. The outer layer of glass was smooth and unbroken, with no signs of impact. To me this suggested a defect that might be covered by warranty.
The service writer seemed to agree, but he couldn't make the call. So he took pictures and sent a report in for a ruling by the district service manager. Within a couple days word came back that it was indeed covered under warranty, and they ordered a replacement around about the first of June. I was told it would arrive direct from the manufacturer in about a week.
I called a week later. It hadn't arrived. Ditto the week after that. This time I was told it would arrive the next next week, on or around the 18th. Really?
2013 Dodge Dart: How Much for Those Tires?
June 21, 2013
There's been a lot of talk lately in the news about rental tires. The crazy prices people are paying to rent tires when they can't afford to purchase a whole set at once seems practically criminal.
2013 Dodge Dart: Pop That Trunk
June 19, 2013
With hands full of whatever, there's nothing better than being able to conveniently open your car's trunk when you're on the approach.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Flimsy Door Handle
June 14, 2013
Uh, now that can't be good. That's what I said to myself when I opened the 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye's front passenger door the other day and part of the handle flew off onto the ground.
Now I'm no genius, trust me, but I don't think that's supposed to happen.
I will admit it was a bit more of an "aggressive opening" on my part than usual, as I was in a hurry. But still, this kind of thing shouldn't happen in a brand new, fully modern car.
2013 Dodge Dart: Engine Stall Recall
June 13, 2013
Today Chrysler issued a recall notice for nearly 15,000 2013 Dodge Dart sedans equipped with the 1.4-liter engine and dual-clutch transmission.
Yep, that's the spec for our long-term Dart.
2013 Dodge Dart: Can You Tow It Behind a Motorhome?
June 12, 2013
You can tow any car behind a motorhome if you bring a trailer. But motorhome aficionados rightly consider trailers to be a pain in the butt because they represent extra towed weight and a storage problem. They'd much rather tow the car on its on wheels with a simple tow bar in so-called four-down or "dingy" fashion.
Easy is the watchword here. Motorhome touring is supposed to be fun. A dinghy vehicle can be quickly unhooked and driven around on side trips while the motorhome sits parked with its awnings unfurled and its sliders popped out in full relaxation mode.
Of course there are mechanical implications for the car involved.
What does this mean for the 2013 Dodge Dart? Can you tow one of these with a motorhome?
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Clever Advertising
June 11, 2013
I met a friend of mine the other night at the movies. Afterwards, as we were walking back to our cars in the parking garage, my friend, who isn't what you would call a "real car person" (whatever the definition of that is anyway), asked me what car I had tonight.
"Dodge Dart," I said.
"Oh, cool!" she said. "Can I see it?"
2013 Dodge Dart: Pack Lightly
June 7, 2013
As you can see from this warning sticker, Dodge doesn't recommend putting more than 825 pounds of total weight in the Dart. Seems reasonable until you start doing the math.
2013 Dodge Dart: Mysterious Windshield Crack
June 6, 2013
The crack was staring me in the face when I climbed behind the wheel of our 2013 Dodge Dart to drive home. After mouthing a wordless medium-potency swear I dabbed a fingerprint onto the end to track how much it would grow during my outbound commute, if any.
But I couldn't see the impact point from the driver's seat, so I climbed out and looked things over.
Oddly, I found no impact point, not even under the edge of the molding when I peeled it back.
2013 Dodge Dart: Bringing Up the Rear
June 5, 2013
The compact car segment is one that's now chock full of good picks. In addition to the segment fave Honda Civic you have well-regarded choices such as the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3.
As such, if you're a brand new player trying to get in the game it's not easy. The year-to-date sales numbers (through April) for compacts have the Dodge Dart at the back of the pack. Here's the low-down...
2013 Dodge Dart: Fuel Economy Update for May
June 3, 2013
We've put just over 10,000 miles on our 2013 Dodge Dart, and at this point we're starting to get alarmed about its fuel economy.
Compared to an EPA combined rating of 31 mpg, our average stands at 27.7 mph. That's 3.3 mpg shy of the rating, which represents an 11-percent miss.
2013 Dodge Dart: Steering Wheel Tilt Range
May 31, 2013
Judging by the adjustments I make to the steering wheel whenever I get in a long-term car, I prefer to have my wheel a bit lower than my colleagues. When I went to drop the wheel in our Dart, I discovered it lacked the range of adjustment that I prefer.
2013 Dodge Dart: Fun to Drive
May 30, 2013
I'm loving our long-term 2013 Dodge Dart right now. I just spent the better part of a week living in the Dart and I'm hesitant to give up the keys.
2013 Dodge Dart: Fold-Down Rear Seat
May 29, 2013
That's a five-and-half-foot tall box filled with brand new brake lines from Right Stuff Detailing for a 1969 Chevy Camaro project my father and I have begun.
2013 Dodge Dart Rallye: 10,000-Mile Service
May 28, 2013
Seems several cars in the long-term fleet are coming up for service. This time it was our 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye, which is rapidly approaching the 10,000-mile mark.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Plug-In Preferences
May 27, 2013
Our long-term Dodge Dart has a USB port and aux jack hidden away in the center console armrest bin (there's also a power outlet in there). Like most of these in-the-bin situations, the Dart has a handy cutout that allows you to keep your smart phone or mp3 player within reach, but still close the door on the bin and not pinch your cord.
2013 Dodge Dart: Looks Good in Rallye Trim
May 24, 2013
Ever since I first laid eyes on it, I've liked the Dodge Dart's basic shape. It's smooth and flowing, and unlike cars like the Hyundai Elantra and some other cars I could name, the sides aren't mucked up by an abundance of creases.
But it's the Rallye trim level that really does it for me. The keys are black headlight housings instead of chrome, the relatively small amount of black paint that bridges the gap between those headlights and the grille, and the black-colored bumper segment between the grille and the lower air intake. The body-colored grille crosshairs on a black background helps, too.
2013 Dodge Dart: 10,000 Miles and a Milkshake
May 23, 2013
We were headed to Corona Del Mar to drop off our daughter for a beach party. After that my wife and I planned to head over to Ruby's Shake Shack on Pacific Coast Highway for a chili dog, a side order of ocean view and a milkshake chaser.
At our first stop the odometer showed nothing but nines when Sarah hopped out with her towel and beach chair.
2013 Dodge Dart: Lousy Backup Camera at Night
May 22, 2013
All hail the backup camera, the parking aid of the century! Our 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye has one, and mostly that's a very good thing.
But the image at night suffers from bad resolution. Those who remember analog TV sets fed by rooftop antenna might call it "snowy." The guide lines are not peppered with any snow, so the issue is with the camera, not the display.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Rear Visibility
May 21, 2013
As a visibility hog, I am made crazy by this decade's trend of less and less visibility in cars. Sure, I appreciate a good rear-view camera when an SUV's heiny is huge, but when your average family sedan or hatchback often requires one, it makes me frown. So I was pleasantly surprised when I looked up to the rearview mirror in our 2013 Dodge Dart and noticed I could see the entire back window in the reflection. The whole thing. And that's not a tiny slit of a rear window, like in the Camaro we had a while back.
2013 Dodge Dart: Range Anxiety
May 16, 2013
When I hop in a car and adjust everything, I tend to prefer the steering wheel down a bit, where it feels more natural for someone like me with a shorter build. Although I appreciate that the Dart has both tilt and telescopic adjustments for the wheel, it just doesn't tilt down enough.
2013 Dodge Dart: Small But Powerful Engine
May 14, 2013
As is often becoming the case these days, our 2013 Dodge Dart features an optional engine that's actually smaller in displacement than the base setup. With the help of a turbocharger, this 1.4-liter engine manages to deliver 40 extra pound-feet of torque over the 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Horsepower remains equal between the two engines.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Oil Change Due
May 13, 2013
We twisted the key on our 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye and were greeted in the instrument panel by a number of messages, but one was accompanied by a tone, "Bing."
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: We Found a Vintage Dodge at a Nearby Museum
May 10, 2013
In a purpose-built hangar adjacent to John Wayne Airport, in Orange County California lies Lyon Air Museum. Named for General William Lyon, USAF (Ret.), "The Lyon Air Museum exhibit is comprised of authentic aircraft, rare vehicles and related memorabilia, with emphasis on the defining event of the 20th century — World War II."
Click through to see a smattering of the collection, whose centerpiece is a famous B-17 Flying Fortress. Besides all the aircraft, all the cars, transports, and motorcycles are in running condition. Worth the trip and the modest price of admission.
2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye: Auto-Start Is Not Just for Cold Climates
May 9, 2013
It requires a small amount of advanced planning (or forgetfulness) to take advantage of our 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye's auto-start functionality. Simply leaving the HVAC controls where they were prior to shutting the car off allows the climate to resume at that prior setting.
2013 Dodge Dart Rallye SXT: Fuel Economy Update for April
May 2, 2013
We threw a few thousand miles at our 2013 Dodge Dart in April. Were in-house records broken? Did the overall average increase or decrease? Click on through before you fall out of your chair.
2013 Dodge Dart: Beats and Branding
May 1, 2013
When I saw the Alpine badges in the Dart, I remembered having a conversation more than 10 years ago with Alpine's marketing vice-president. I asked why the company didn't brand the audio systems it provided (through its parent company, Alps Electronics) to automakers like Honda. I argued that the Civic, or at least Civic Si buyers, would pay extra to own that sound and that logo on their head units.
2013 Dodge Dart: A/C Fail?
April 29, 2013
The ambient temp gauge only registered 79 degrees, and yet me n' The Kid never got comfortable.
2013 Dodge Dart: No Cargo Net
April 26, 2013
A quick trip to Whole Foods resulted in one small shopping bag holding three 1-liter bottles and a few apples. I needed to make another stop on my way home, and figured the refrigerated liquids would be better off hiding in the trunk.
2013 Dodge Dart: Sunroof Love
April 23, 2013
It was a bright, clear morning near the beach, and as I slid open our 2013 Dodge Dart's sunroof, I was reminded of a conversation I had years ago with a friend.
2013 Dodge Dart: Dodge Dart Registry Wins Award for Best Social Media Campaign
April 18, 2013
If you were paying attention, you'll remember that a couple of months ago, Dodge launched its unique Dodge Dart Registry. Created to promote the Dart, the site allows participants to raise money toward the purchase of a new Dart.
This approach was certainly an innovative one on the part of Dodge, and now that innovativeness has been recognized. The Shorty Industry Awards honors the best brands, agencies and professionals in social media. The Dodge Dart Registry has won Dodge an award for best social media campaign in the automobile industry.
Some additional information, from the Shorty Awards website:
2013 Dodge Dart: I Love You, Nav
April 17, 2013
The other day I had to drive one of our editors down to Gardena, about 20 miles south of our Santa Monica headquarters. Problem was that this was during morning rush-hour. As I groaned at the sight of the black-and-red snake of death that loomed on Google Maps, I plugged in Edmunds' address into our 2013 Dodge Dart's navigation just to see how it works in this car. Having consulted Google Maps on my iPhone beforehand I kind of had an idea of what was the least congested way to go and was prepared to ignore the nav and have her reroute and adapt to my change of direction.
2013 Dodge Dart: This Is How You Drive
April 15, 2013
Confession: I'm very picky about how people drive. Basically, hands at 9 and 3, always pass on the left and always look ahead. Amazingly there's a bunch of people who don't know any of this. Cough::Angelenos::cough. Well, last weekend I was passenger to one such person. He drives with both wrists at the 12 o'clock position and also sticks to the speed limit (driving 70 mph in a 70-mph zone, but I tried not to be too mad at that since he probably was just worried about fuel economy). ANYway, you're probably wondering what this has to do with our 2013 Dodge Dart.
2013 Dodge Dart: Dart Helps a Brother Out
April 12, 2013
I've been dealing with the arduous task of getting my Jeep Cherokee to pass a California smog test. It's been throwing codes for a while now, specifically blaming the first bank of catalytic converters for inefficiency. The Cherokee has a lame design that uses dual exhaust manifolds with a pre-cat attached to each. These then feed into a third cat. This design also uses four oxygen sensors. Sweet.
The search for California-approved, direct-fit replacement pre-cats led me to the OEM piece, worth a cool $1,700. An aftermarket Magnaflow piece was exceedingly more reasonable, but didn't line up correctly with the Cherokee's manifold design, and required a trip to FedEx for the return. Appropriately enough, it was one Chrysler vehicle helping another.
2013 Dodge Dart: 700-Mile Family Road Trip, Part Two
April 11, 2013
In a previous update I wrote about how our 2013 Dodge Dart successfully took on my family's large collection of stuff for a four-day, 700-mile road trip. For this installment I've got a report on how well the Dart drove.