You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan 2008 Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan

2008 Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan

501 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2009 at 7:05 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens

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

Messages Page 48 of 51 1 ... 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#462 of 501 squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage by atcmmgc Jan 15, 2009 (9:57 pm)
There seems to still be 1 or 2 people reading this, so i'm going to ask/complain to you 2. I have an early build(10/08) SXT 3.8 with 4,600 miles and this thing can't get above 16mpg to save it's life. I drive 80% in town so I don't expect much better, but you can practically watch the needle go down. I don't drive it hard at all because its been so bad. On top of that I think the average MPG meter is optimistic. What kind of MPG is everyone else getting? I've checked all the obvious things, tire pressure,etc. In fact I'm over inflating by 2psi just try and get more. I had an 2005 with the 3.8 that routinely got 18-19 in town, so I expected more from the 6 speed. What else, oh Anyone else have numerous squeaks,rattles from rear windows and plastic pieces? I also have those pull up sun shades in the rear doors and windows and they rattle up or down. I've found 4 different screws, nuts and plastic clips that have fallen off different areas, but none seem related to my noises. Can't wait until the things they used to hold start rattlling. What am I saying? I guess I miss my 2005, that van was well built, this one not at all. Well let me know how well yours is screwed together. The bright side in all of this is I got one of the last Chrysler Leases, I only have to drive this junker 2 more years. I hope gas doesn't go back to 4 bucks any time soon. Replies to this message: rjom (Jan 16, 2009 5:30 am) farout (Jan 16, 2009 11:08 am) macuser (Jan 16, 2009 11:45 am) atcmmgc (Jan 16, 2009 1:57 pm) wzman1 (Jan 17, 2009 7:19 am) samnoe (Feb 12, 2009 7:58 pm) jeffs72 (Feb 13, 2009 6:27 am) drewdl (Apr 20, 2009 2:01 pm) samnoe (Apr 22, 2009 4:00 pm) krisboris (Apr 02, 2009 5:34 pm) srs_49 (Apr 03, 2009 2:38 am)
#463 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [atcmmgc] by rjom Jan 16, 2009 (5:30 am)
Replying to: atcmmgc (Jan 15, 2009 9:57 pm) My driving habits are a bit different than yours. I live in a rural area, not a city. When not on a highway, just driving around town, stop signs etc. my mileage indicator sticks around 19; combination with highway is about 21.5 mpg. My highway mileage is at 23-26mpg. Have you done any highway driving to guage your range og mpg? I leave the mpg indicator on on the dash to observe my driving/gas pedal habits.   Re noises and squeeks, I have been lucky. I do not have any rattles. The only problem I have had with this model is that the automatic doors sometimes need two clicks or more to finally close. Happens about 1 in 10 times, usually if the car is on a downward slope when parked.
#464 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [atcmmgc] by farout Jan 16, 2009 (11:08 am)
Replying to: atcmmgc (Jan 15, 2009 9:57 pm) The 3.8 engine is noted for not getting the better MPG, compared to the newer 4.L engine. The hp and the torque is less than the 4.L With most of the driving being intown and the size and weight of the TC 16 mpg might not bee to bad. I have a Pacifica Touring AWD with the 6 speed auto, and the 4.l engine. The weight is almost 4,700 lbs and we get 18 to 21 in town and 22 to 25 on the open road. We always get less mpg in the winter, perhaps this might be part of the 16 mpg you get. From what I have read and heard the 3.5 L and the 4.L engines are the better ones to have, but that's no good for your situation now. Hope this is informative. farout
#465 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [atcmmgc] by macuser Jan 16, 2009 (11:45 am)
Replying to: atcmmgc (Jan 15, 2009 9:57 pm) Sorry to hear of all your problems. I too had an 05 Dodge SXT w/NO problems to complain about. Sliding door motor was replaced once under warranty, then OK. My main gripe was re the back-up indicator. I had to rely on the lights (which was great), but I never knew there was sound until my brother told me. I asked the dealer to make it louder and was told there was no adjustment. Earlier 2008 I started searching for a Chrysler Touring in Inferno Red, with a tan interior, After many months finally found one 4 hours away, and tried negotiating for several more months. Afraid of loosing it, I finally gave in and bought it. They didn't want to hear about all my findings on this site re prices.   Got it the end of Aug 08 and have 8,000 miles on it already, I LOVE IT! and I'm happy to report that I don't have any of your problems. Using the computer on board it says I get around 18-19 mpg driving locally, and 23-25 on I-81 going 70 mph. I'm very pleased with mine. Only wish I could have gotten the Signature (or is it Special Edition?) with more options and better pricing. Didn't because it is not available with tan interior and that was a requirement for me. Love the MyGIG and have had no problems with it, as some reported; however, I don't have the navigation system. I have a Garmin which is great and a lot less expensive.   Try figuring your MPG manually...is it possible that the "computer" is not working correctly? Whatever it is, the mileage is very poor and I would continue to bug the dealer to find a reason and correct it! GOOD LUCK! Replies to this message: atcmmgc (Jan 16, 2009 1:57 pm)
#466 of 501 squeaks, rattles, bad gas mileage part 2 by atcmmgc Jan 16, 2009 (1:35 pm)
Thanks all for the quick replies, I wish I had gotten the 4.0 considering how bad the mileage with 3.8 is. At least i would have some power to play with. The 3.8 is kind of a dog. Any engine of that size that makes less than 200 hp is a bit of an engineering embaressment. I filled up the tank today computer said 15.5 mpg, when the gas pump kicks off i can always put in another 1/2 gallon so i usually do, after that i did the calculation on paper and it worked out to 15mpg so maybe computer is ok. On gas mileage being worse in winter, I agree and i live in MN(it's been below zero for 100 hours or something like that), but it was'nt much better when it was warm outside. I got it at the end of July. I've had one oil change and the dealer receipt says they used 5w30 oil, I'll bug them to use 5w20 next time maybe that would help a little. Don't you love it when the dealership can't even put the right oil in their own cars? Thanks all lets keep chatting
#467 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [macuser] by atcmmgc Jan 16, 2009 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: macuser (Jan 16, 2009 11:45 am) Geez, don't know where you live, but around here (st.paul,mn) by Aug 08 they were give huge discounts on any model, color,etc. Now even more of course. I wish I had waited a few months for a better deal and a better built van.
#468 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [atcmmgc] by wzman1 Jan 17, 2009 (7:19 am)
Replying to: atcmmgc (Jan 15, 2009 9:57 pm) The sticker on my 2008 SXT (4.0 Liter engine) said city mileage was estimated 16 mpg. Sounds like you're right on that value. We've done as well, but often see 12-13 mpg on the trip computer for city driving. Most daily trips in this van are 4 miles or less with frequent stop signs and traffic lights; lot's of idle time. My wife has also become quite fond of the remote start feature in winter and summer. In winter she sometimes starts the car as much as 15 minutes before departure to defrost the car, then drives a 4 mile trip to take kids to school. I'm guessing she's using a half gallon of fuel to warm up the car - that really hurts the mileage.
#469 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [atcmmgc] by samnoe Feb 12, 2009 (7:58 pm)
Replying to: atcmmgc (Jan 15, 2009 9:57 pm) Wow, I understand you very well. I have similar problems with my T&C with the 4.0L engine. It might get some better mileage (actually just one MPG up - not a big deal), but it does have more power, but it's also extremely noisy when pushed hard, and sounds very unrefined. But it's a shame that Chrysler does not offer that engine only on top of the line models, while with the imports you get more powerful and more refined and fuel efficient engines even in base models.   On the highway I actually get good mileage, it once went over 25 MPG when traveling speed 50-55. But my local mileage is bad, Computer says something like 11 MPG, but I use my remote starter a lot, especially in the frozen cold weather, so maybe this is the reason here.   I also started to get painfully bad rattles from my rear end, the liftgate area. Of course my dealer was "unable to duplicate the problem". I am already sick and tired of the dealers never finding anything. As of now, I have terrible squeaks & rattles, especially when going over bumps or potholes, and severely vibrating and knocking from the rear when in reverse. Although not always - I usually have it when it rains or it snows. Also, when I am in reverse and listening to the radio, I hear an annoying sound in the background of the radio.   To sum up, I feel this van is just falling apart. I was in love when I got my van, but now - sorry Chrysler - I think that's it with Chrysler. I just wish any importer should have the multimedia options Chrysler offers.... Replies to this message: jeffs72 (Feb 13, 2009 6:27 am) drewdl (Apr 20, 2009 2:01 pm) samnoe (Apr 22, 2009 4:00 pm)
#470 of 501 Re: squeaks,Rattles and horrible gas mileage [samnoe] by jeffs72 Feb 13, 2009 (6:27 am)
Replying to: samnoe (Feb 12, 2009 7:58 pm) My van had a terrible rattle coming from the back. It would occur when I was backing up, sitting at a light, and driving at speed. Some days it was much worse than others. I discovered it was the muffler rattling. I then discovered that there is a service bulletin about this. It's easy to check yourself. When the car is running and making the noise, put on a very heavy glove and hold the tailpipe with your hand (the tailpipe will be very hot, make sure you have on a heavy glove). If the rattle stops, you've found the problem and can tell the dealer what's going on.   For the mileage, cars get the worse mileage on short trips. Mileage also gets worse in the winter, with or without the remote start. So, if you are in the cold northern areas (as I am), you will see your mileage improve as the weather improves.
#471 of 501 Paint "scraping off" just below radio by jeffuhde Feb 15, 2009 (7:22 pm)
Anyone seen this one yet? The grey paint on the dash portion just below the radio on our T&C is scraping off just below the radio. Black plastic underneath is showing through. Have had the van 8 months/15k miles now. Just wondering....

Messages Page 48 of 51 1 ... 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan 2008 Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan