2025 Jeep Gladiator and shifting issues

[ShadowsPapa]

The throttle lag drives me nuts.

Usually an octane boost doesn't cause issues, it's just a waste, but I suppose there might be the rare occasion that it messes with newer engines that try to adjust things like timing based on conditions.

Higher octane is used to prevent "pre-detonation" in higher compression engines from the heat and compression, but spark should light the fire no matter the octane.

No such thing as "pre-detonation" - it's either detonation or pre-ignition. One happens before the plug fires, the other after and is resolved by higher octane, or setting the ignition timing back.
Pre-ignition is caused by excessive heat, like a glowing carbon ember in the cylinder, spark plugs too high a heat range, something that lights the charge before the spark occurs.
Detonation is caused as the approaching flame front compresses the unburned, remaining charge "into a corner" raising pressure and increasing the heat until the remaining charge self-ignites.
It's one or the other.

Octane can't "mess with" an engine - unless it's too low. If there's detonation, the knock sensor detects it, and the PCM adjusts timing accordingly.
If there's no detonation, the PCM will advance the spark to the ideal time for maximum cylinder pressure at about 14-16 degrees ATDC, depending on the rod/stroke length and so on.

Too much octane is simply a waste. That's it. It won't do damage.

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[JKenTex]

Bought the truck in April 2025 and I always ran 93 octane in my vehicles.... This truck ran like garbage since day one!!!! Shifting is jerky from 6-7-8 and it feels like the converter locks up HARD. Rode like this for about 4k miles and decided to put 100% 87 octane in it.... Totally different truck!!! Smooth shifts and no hard lock ups. Dumped some ethanol 87 and still rides great, Last Wednesday I decided to try 93 again and the demons returned!!!! Burned through that tank and went back to 87 and clearing back up now!!! I do not get it?? I am in no means a rookie when it comes to mechanics (owned and worked on a good many of muscle cars) so it is not a placebo effect at all..... Anyone else have this issue???

You've learned that higher octane isn't for performance or economy. The motor has to be built to ignite and burn a fuel that burns slower, (higher compression, ignition timing etc.) The 3.6 runs regular because that's what it's engineered for. You could possibly damage an engine trying to run higher octane than it's built for.

The secret is, the quality of fuel has nothing to do with octane. High performance engines are usually built to run higher octane so to take advantage of the additional performance.

Ex. I had a custom built 540cid in a Searay (same applied on land and sea ). The friend/builder decided to tweak compression so that I could safely run mid-grade if high wasn't available which happens something on the water, but also stations on the street. I could run 87 octane if I had to, but I'd have to keep the RPM's down and take it easy.

Buy gas at quality retailers, ones that are certified (might see the sticker) knowing it's got a quality additive package.

 

[JeepCares]

my 2025 shifts weird too, but mine is a hard shift or almost hesitant quick shift that you can feel into 3rd when i am very light throttle. its pretty annoying.

Hi @93civej1,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. If you schedule an appointment for your vehicle concerns, please send us a private message should you need extra support at the dealership.

Blair
Jeep Cares

 

[JeepCares]

Bought the truck in April 2025 and I always ran 93 octane in my vehicles.... This truck ran like garbage since day one!!!! Shifting is jerky from 6-7-8 and it feels like the converter locks up HARD. Rode like this for about 4k miles and decided to put 100% 87 octane in it.... Totally different truck!!! Smooth shifts and no hard lock ups. Dumped some ethanol 87 and still rides great, Last Wednesday I decided to try 93 again and the demons returned!!!! Burned through that tank and went back to 87 and clearing back up now!!! I do not get it?? I am in no means a rookie when it comes to mechanics (owned and worked on a good many of muscle cars) so it is not a placebo effect at all..... Anyone else have this issue???

Hi @blownbayou,

We are sorry to hear this. Feel free to send us a private message if you schedule a dealership appointment for an extra layer of support.

Blair
Jeep Cares

 

[93civej1]

Hi @93civej1,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. If you schedule an appointment for your vehicle concerns, please send us a private message should you need extra support at the dealership.

Blair
Jeep Cares

oh im not scheduling anything. I try to avoid the dealer unless absolutely necessary. It doesnt always do it, so im sure if I went it wouldnt do it while there.

 

[crash3400]

my 25 does this on occasion too. feels like between 1st & 2nd (although could be 3rd) - it's more pronounced when it downshifts, occasionally hitting hard into the lower gear.

i've thought considered bringing it in, but had the same thought - especially since the closest one to me is... stereotypical would be the nicest way to put it?

 

[Chasm]

the closest one to me is... stereotypical would be the nicest way to put it

Had to take the brand new Challenger to a dealer because something in the exhaust was rattling at certain loads/rpms. The kid at the dealership said "that's just how performance cars sound". I said: look, punk, I was driving hotrods before you were born, and before that I drove hundred dollar beaters, I know the sound of something loose on the exhaust.
He called the manager. The manager argued for a while, than another employee walked up with a piece of paper he had printed. There was a TSB on on the exhaust cutouts. They had to replace everything behind the headers. Not cheap on a stainless exhaust!

 

[Hootbro]

I said: look, punk, I was driving hotrods before you were born, and before that I drove hundred dollar beaters, I know the sound of something loose on the exhaust.

Did that actually go down that way?

 

[Chasm]

Okay,the "look punk" was only in my head, but I did say I was driving hotrods before he was born!

 

[Chasm]

And the kid was condescending when he tried to tell me I was imagining things, so I was condescending right back!

 

[Hootbro]

Okay,the "look punk" was only in my head, but I did say I was driving hotrods before he was born!

 

[Chasm]

That's how it was in my head!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Had to take the brand new Challenger to a dealer because something in the exhaust was rattling at certain loads/rpms. The kid at the dealership said "that's just how performance cars sound". I said: look, punk, I was driving hotrods before you were born, and before that I drove hundred dollar beaters, I know the sound of something loose on the exhaust.
He called the manager. The manager argued for a while, than another employee walked up with a piece of paper he had printed. There was a TSB on on the exhaust cutouts. They had to replace everything behind the headers. Not cheap on a stainless exhaust!

The support, and technicians, for our local internet provider got really condescending and trying to explain "fiber is a thin piece of glass, it's not like copper........" and so on, while I was explaining all of the problems with their new install and how wrong the inside connection was made, the length of fiber jacket stripped and so on.
I explained- I spent years installing networks, including copper, coax, IBS Type 1, fiber, the last 12 years for the state of Iowa - I know about networks and crappy connections - and I know how fiber works......... pissed the guy off. I think they thought they had some power and control and could brush me off as someone who didn't even know what fiber optic cable was or how it worked.
As far as cars - was at our 50th HS reunion last weekend and we revisited the class will and in there I was mentioned as willing my fast car to an underclassman. Several even asked if I still had any of them. I've had to stop a service advisor or even tech in their tracks several times - I guess they deal with people who don't know a jack from a wrench and have to deal with that daily.

 

[blownbayou]

Update on throttle Controller install:
Banks Pedal Monster
This is how the truck should be from the factory.... Running City 5 and it is perfect. Tried Sport 5 and it was too much. I have not had the herky jerky through two tanks of 100% 87, but I had to get Ethanol 87 on this current tank (too far to try to make it). Herky jerky is back now. I guess this truck wants only 100% fuel...... Very weird and pisses me off sometimes.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Update on throttle Controller install:
Banks Pedal Monster
This is how the truck should be from the factory.... Running City 5 and it is perfect. Tried Sport 5 and it was too much. I have not had the herky jerky through two tanks of 100% 87, but I had to get Ethanol 87 on this current tank (too far to try to make it). Herky jerky is back now. I guess this truck wants only 100% fuel...... Very weird and pisses me off sometimes.

You are judging on a single tank of fuel and assuming?
There's zero reason for the two to be connected unless you got bad fuel

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