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New Overland with Adaptive Cruise Package

5K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  rdalcanto 
#1 ·
I got my new 2011 Overland on Monday afternoon. Only have 85 miles on it so far...but wanted to comment on a few things of interest.

1. Like so many other reviews I am quite impressed with the ride and the fit and finish and overall quality. Everything works...so far...so good.

2. Adaptive Cruise and Blind Spot montior. The blind spot monitor triangle lights each time a vehicle gets into the left or right blind spot. Not a huge area....and sometimes I wish it were larger (not sure if you could "set" the area) but I am learning to like it ALLOT. Put on your blinker....and the beeper further warns me. So, far the Adaptive Cruise seems like the best thing since sliced bread. Slows and brakes my vehicle to shadow the lead vehicle. I am uncertain what will happen with a stopped vehicle....but it sure slows mine down dramatically when following another up to a stop sign. I have not yet had the guts to let it take me to a stop in this situation. Seems just a bit dicey...and I have not yet read the material on the ACC. From my experiences so far...I would buy it again in a heartbeat. AND....my lower insurance premium will likely save me a good portion of its cost.

3. Ball Hitch. Compared to other SUV's I have driven, this one is going to require a much bigger drop in the ball mount. In the pic it shows my old 2" drop vs another 4" drop required to hook the trailer (compared to my old Acadia). I think this is a bit excessive and weakens my heavy duty towing set up IMO. Anyone else bought a ball mount with this kinda drop yet? The back up camera is gonna be slick for hooking up.

4. I wish the JGC had more center counsil, glove box room, and micl storage areas. I pack lots of gadgets and while this vehicle is "OK"....it doesn't compare to my last vehicle (the Acadia).....and I think they coulda done better. I keep searching for small areas to tuck my odds and ends. Currently I am considering some kind of plastic tub to slip under the rear seats for storing my stuff. (Maybe some velcro on the bottoms ?)

5. I had to get to a shed that had not been plowed out. The snow was not that difficult to drive through....but I had to get through a snow-packed windrow. I raised the vehicle to full height and it was pretty slick going through an otherwise big snow bank. :thumbsup: Contrary to what I read on the Michelin 18" latitudes....I think they seem to grip just fine for my purposes.

Pics below.....I LIKE my new ride ALOT (and love the Hemi).
 

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#3 ·
Forgot to add a few other pics. I have flaps installed on mine....for the (few) other flap lovers out there. ;)

I have some more pics but did not download all of them yet.

The last pic shows my deer antlers on my old ride. (you gotta be there...grin).
 

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#10 · (Edited)
Just got back from a short hiway trip. I set the ACC to the farthest setting and followed a semi rig down the highway for about 15 miles (pretty aggressive 18 wheeler - perfect for test). Set my cruise at 65...and the semi likely averaged 60 with lots of slow downs / speed ups. I felt that with the farthest setting it was about my normal / safe mode following distance. I did not try the middle setting or close setting....as I was content with what I had. I can see that in heavy traffic I may want to use a closer setting to prevent cars slipping between....but this was good for 2 lanes and safe following.

ACC IS ADDICTIVE. You really dont need to touch the gas or the brakes....just steer and keep your eyes peeled - like normal. Takes lots of the strain out of driving. Change lanes and you speed up to pass.

I "forced" a close call (like what could happen if you were looking down at the EVIC or your cell phone, etc)...and my warning tone came on and my vehicle braked hard enough to get my IMMEDIATE attention which would likely get me to jump on the binders. Fantastic!

If these features save me even one fender bender (or possibly somebody's life) the expense is WELL worth it.

As I said...I know its expensive...but, with what I know now....I would buy ACC and the "package" again in a heartbeat.
 
#5 ·
I really don't have any highway or high-speed experience with it yet. There have been so many things to learn about....that the ACC had to wait. So far....it seems that in 30 to 45 mph traffic it is just "about right" to NOT let anyone slip in between.

I really need to do some driving.....maybe tonight. :D
 
#6 ·
Congrats on your new Overland foggy! It is nice to hear a positive review of the ACC. I have been on the fence and so many on here think it is a waste. But I love technology and think I will get it.
 
#12 ·
The picture really does not do those antlers justice. They really stand out on my vehicle.....and I get lots of laughs from everyone we passed while going to "deer camp". Lotsa fun with them. :D
 
#11 ·
Yeah....I'm not too worried about the drop....but I think I need a 5.5" and I want the 10,000 lb HD FORGED ball mount (cause I WILL pull the limits of 7200 lbs, and I want to be safe and legal). 7200 lbs is lots of leverage on my hitch with that drop.

That ball mount is gonna cost and its gonna be heavy....and it'll be hard to store in a vehicle that doesn't have the greatest storage space. It's not a huge thing....but it all costs and such. ;)
 
#13 · (Edited)
I test drove a overland with ACC today, my drive to work is about 30 miles each way mostly highway. I thought the ACC worked perfectly....I used the shortest distance setting with gave about 1.5 to 2 car lengths. And I can confirm it will brake VERY hard to keep that distance! It will not bring the car to a complete stop, it will bring you to about 15mph then say something like speed to low in the EVIC and stop braking/cancel the ACC.

I can't wait to get mine, I will use the ACC everyday. Blind spot works great as well, ACC package is well worth the money and time!
 
#16 ·
What I did to force a close call was while using the ACC. I had set my cruise to 30 mph. And was driving up a hill that had a stopped car way up ahead at a stop light. As I approached the stopped car, a rise in the hill prevented a view of the stopped car until late (a bad intersection deal) upon clearing the rise.....my car braked hard and then gave the warning.

I am not sure that I would get the warning if I didn't have the ACC turned on. I am going to read my manual on the matter in the next days.

I have yet to find a "bug" with the ACC execution. It exceeds any expectation I had about ACC. I think you guys with a bad commute each day would really appreciate this.

In time gone by....I spent my life driving the wheels off many company cars. Man....I coulda used the features found on these new vehicles. Very impressive.
 
#17 ·
What I did to force a close call was while using the ACC. I had set my cruise to 30 mph. And was driving up a hill that had a stopped car way up ahead at a stop light. As I approached the stopped car, a rise in the hill prevented a view of the stopped car until late (a bad intersection deal) upon clearing the rise.....my car braked hard and then gave the warning.

I am not sure that I would get the warning if I didn't have the ACC turned on. I am going to read my manual on the matter in the next days.

I have yet to find a "bug" with the ACC execution. It exceeds any expectation I had about ACC. I think you guys with a bad commute each day would really appreciate this.

In time gone by....I spent my life driving the wheels off many company cars. Man....I coulda used the features found on these new vehicles. Very impressive.
OK, thanks. I will see if I can create a similar situation. I have read the printed and DVD manuals but I don't find where it says the ACC needs to be on but it sounds like it does.

I will see if I can get it to work without actually running into the back of someone.:eek:
 
#18 ·
Hi guys! I'm new here and hope to own my very first brand new Grand Cherokee soon! I have a quick question. When you guys ordered your WK2 in the specific way you want, how much bargain margin did you have? For example, I'd like to order an 4X4 Overland in Stone White w/ Beige Interior with V6, 4X4 and Advanced Warning & Adaptive Cruise Control package. Thanks!!
 
#21 ·
The tongue on that trailer looks pretty low for something as large as you say it is. From the pics you should be able to get away with a 4" drop and there are plenty of them out there with the 10K rating.

FYI, the receiver height on the WK2 is ~19" which is the pretty much the standard for Class IV. The other SUV's tend to have the receiver lower like my Touareg which is at 16". For my 16' V-Nose enclosed trailer all I need to do is flip the 2" drop - 3/4" ride I have and it will fit perfectly.
 
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