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Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2005+

1422 messages,  Last post on Sep 25, 2009 at 8:55 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Van


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#1413 of 1422
Re: 2006 GC 3.3L Fuel Economy-extended trip [badgerfan] by xwesx
May 14, 2009 (3:40 pm)
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Replying to: badgerfan (May 14, 2009 6:22 am)

That's fantastic. Well done! You can look forward to many more miles since that thing is just getting broken in!
 
We recently completed a 4500 mile trip from Alaska to Pennsylvania with a '98 DGC AWD (3.8L). We averaged 21.7 mpg, with best tank at 24.6 and worst at 19.7. As with you, the worst tank was driving across South Dakota, running at 79 mph, and bucking head cross/head winds. It was a great trip. We clocked 200,000 miles just about the time we crossed the PA border. I think the 3.8L engine has plenty of power in all situations. We ran with a fairly heavy load of cargo, but the van felt quite peppy nonetheless.
#1414 of 1422
2008 Chrysler Town & Country oil consumption by tlkiser
May 18, 2009 (11:24 am)
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Hi all - I've got a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country Touring with about 53,000 mi. on it. Last week the oil light started coming on - nearly at 3months/3000 miles on the nose. Today took it in to have oil changed - repair shop says there was no oil on the dipstick and they only drained about 1 qt. There are no obvious leaks and no signs (smoke, etc.) of consumption. They don't (at this point) have any idea what is causing the consumption.
Repair shop advises monitoring weekly - and having them do it and document so that everything is documented in case there is an issue and we need to file a claim with the extended warranty company.
Has anyone seen anything like this? Thoughts about what might be causing and/or what we should do?
Thanks!
#1415 of 1422
Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country oil consumption [tlkiser] by xwesx
May 18, 2009 (2:26 pm)
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Replying to: tlkiser (May 18, 2009 11:24 am)

Consumption of up to a quart per thousand miles would not produce any noticeable side effects, so it sounds like (for now), you should simply check your oil on a reasonable basis - once every couple of tanks or so. Waiting to check at each oil change interval is just asking for trouble. It may be that consumption did not suddenly increase, but did get to the point that the pressure was low enough to trigger the warning light. Warmer ambient temperatures, slightly more miles, etc., could all have contributed to increased consumption since the last change.
 
Regular monitoring by you will help a shop determine if a problem does exist. Otherwise, like us, they are left to speculate.
#1416 of 1422
Re: Should I get a Grand caravan SXT 3.8ltr [dm3] by cparent
May 29, 2009 (12:04 pm)
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Replying to: dm3 (Jul 24, 2006 1:29 pm)

Hello! We are thinking of purchasing a 2006 Grand Caravan. How would you rate your experience? Do you still have the Grand Caravan that you talked about here?
 
Thank you for any help you can provide. We're in a real "pickle".
 
Carol Parent
#1417 of 1422
Re: Should I get a Grand caravan SXT 3.8ltr [cparent] by srs_49
May 29, 2009 (3:15 pm)
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Replying to: cparent (May 29, 2009 12:04 pm)

Yes, we still have our 2007 DGC, SXT with the 3.8L engine. We bought it used in Feb 2007. It now has 46,000 miles on it. The only thing we've done to it has been oil changes, wiper blades, and front pads a couple of months ago. The passenger side window no longer works, so I am planning on taking the door apart this weekend to see what the problem may be. I figure worse case it will need a new motor/regulator assembly.
 
I have no real complaints. Though, to be honest, I really wanted a Honda Odyssey, but could not justify the price difference between it and the DGC.
#1418 of 1422
Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country oil consumption [xwesx] by andridge
Jul 06, 2009 (6:56 am)
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Replying to: xwesx (May 18, 2009 2:26 pm)

I have a 2006 Chrysler T&C and since last December have been adding about 1 quart every 4,000 miles. My dealership said this is normal and did not see any evidence of oil leaks or blue smoke from oil burning in the engine. For now, I check the oil every month and keep a couple quarts in the garage.
#1419 of 1422
Maintenance surprises by backy
Aug 01, 2009 (11:53 am)
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I recently took my 2007 T&C LX in for its 60k mile servicing. I had some surprises, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. On the pleasant side, there was very little that needed attention. The serpentine belt looked good, the plugs are supposed to be good for 100k miles (per the dealer), the transmission fluid looked good, and other than the oil change and air filter replacement and a thorough check, there was little to do. Even the OEM Goodyear tires still had some life in them (more on that in the Tires & Wheels discussion).
 
Except... the tie rod ends were worn to the point the dealer recommended their replacement. I was shocked that tie rods would need to be replaced on a 3-year-old van with 60k miles. Second, the front brakes needed replacement. I could understand how the pads would need to be replaced, but the dealer said the rotors could not be resurfaced and needed replacement also. Total was about $700.
 
So while I am pleased that the van has very low scheduled maintenance costs for 60k miles, I am not too happy that parts like tie rod ends and front rotors should need replacement so soon.
#1420 of 1422
Re: Maintenance surprises [backy] by srs_49
Aug 03, 2009 (3:46 am)
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Replying to: backy (Aug 01, 2009 11:53 am)

I too am surprised (and disappointed) about the tie rod ends. But, they couldn't have been that much money, were they?
 
When I replaced the front pads on our '07 DGC at 42,000 miles, the rotors looked good so I left them on. I agree with your dealer about not resurfacing the rotors. They are probably thin enough as they come from the factory. But, without having seen your rotors, I do not know if I would have replaced them or not.
 
$700 seems a little high to me for front pads, rotors and tie rod ends. Pads and rotors are around $125-150 from a parts place. Tie rod ends (just the outer, I assume) can't be more than $40/each, so we're at $230 for parts, say $250 to be generous. I could do all that work in a good afternoon, maybe a day at tops. That's why I stay away for shops whenever I can.
 
Maybe there was some other work done that you didn't mention.
#1421 of 1422
Re: Maintenance surprises [srs_49] by backy
Aug 03, 2009 (6:02 am)
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Replying to: srs_49 (Aug 03, 2009 3:46 am)

The total was $744 for all of the services, including the oil/filters and inspections. Also I had a $100 coupon so the actual total was $844.
 
The brakes and tie rod ends were each around $350. That included a front end alignment, which seemed like a good idea given the tie rod ends were replaced.
 
Had I had more time, I would have gotten estimates from another shop (not a dealer). But I was leaving in a couple of days on a trip and my wife needed the van, so I needed to get the work done. Also the van has a lifetime powertrain warranty (not the Chrysler warranty, but one I got for free when I bought the van used) which requires I pre-authorize any service work if done anyplace but the selling dealer.
#1422 of 1422
Re: 2006 Chrysler Town & Country oil consumption [andridge] by old_school1
Sep 25, 2009 (8:55 am)
Reply

Replying to: andridge (Jul 06, 2009 6:56 am)

I have a 2006 T&C as well. At 39,000 mi. (and 3,000 since last oil change), oil indicator light came on, but time to get oil changed anyway. They only drained 3 qts! Checked oil at 40,500 and looks about a qt low - at min line and was at max after oil change. Going to add a qt now, with next oil change at 42k. This van leaks absolutely no oil, so it is definitely due to consumption.
 
I had never had a problem with oil consumption prior to the 36,000 mi. service. Based on my experience, I would check oil every 1,000 miles once you hit 36,000 (same time the factory warranty expires coincidentally), and keep a qt or two in the garage if it's low between oil changes.

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