Went to transmission shop they said immediatelly...2005 has 150000 Kms on the vehicle, most all highway miles.....No trailering...Went to another reliable garage, owner in business for 30 years, looked at the fluid on the stick, smelled it, said it was great, no need to change..Chrysler manual, says no need to change...The truth would be?????????????????
2005 Dodge caravan ATF when to change fluid??????
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Smelling the fluid simply tells you if it is burned - our noses are not capable of complex fluid analysis. Your transmission uses a group III base stock and it would be best to change it periodically if you desire to keep the van longer. with the old Chrysler ATF+3 it was good to change it every 30k. with the much-improved ATF+4 I would recommend changing it every 60-80k miles. Of course, I like to error on the side of caution - but I have NEVER had a transmission problem that was fluid-related. (I did lose a solenoid pack once) make certain that ATF+4 is used; not some universal fluid or Dexron.
Originally Posted By: dbvettez061
Went to transmission shop they said immediatelly...2005 has 150000 Kms on the vehicle, most all highway miles.....No trailering...Went to another reliable garage, owner in business for 30 years, looked at the fluid on the stick, smelled it, said it was great, no need to change..Chrysler manual, says no need to change...The truth would be?????????????????
Chrysler transmissions don't need fluid changes because you change the fluid when you change the transmission, which is often.
If the colour is cherry red and doesn't smell burnt it should be fine to leave it in...
Went to transmission shop they said immediatelly...2005 has 150000 Kms on the vehicle, most all highway miles.....No trailering...Went to another reliable garage, owner in business for 30 years, looked at the fluid on the stick, smelled it, said it was great, no need to change..Chrysler manual, says no need to change...The truth would be?????????????????
Chrysler transmissions don't need fluid changes because you change the fluid when you change the transmission, which is often.
If the colour is cherry red and doesn't smell burnt it should be fine to leave it in...
StevieC said:Chrysler transmissions don't need fluid changes because you change the fluid when you change the transmission, which is often.
pretty funny! too bad its almost true! although if the transmission is replaced under warranty, the dealer will reuse the old fluid.
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
Smelling the fluid simply tells you if it is burned - our noses are not capable of complex fluid analysis. Your transmission uses a group III base stock and it would be best to change it periodically if you desire to keep the van longer. with the old Chrysler ATF+3 it was good to change it every 30k. with the much-improved ATF+4 I would recommend changing it every 60-80k miles. Of course, I like to error on the side of caution - but I have NEVER had a transmission problem that was fluid-related. (I did lose a solenoid pack once) make certain that ATF+4 is used; not some universal fluid or Dexron.
ATF +4 is actually a fully synthetic fluid. ATF+3 was just an in between fluid they used until +4 was developed. Matter of fact, I believe they are compatible with each other. Most of the power steering systems on Dodge/Chrysler vehicles since around 2002 also uses +4 in them. Seems to be a very good fluid, given its price per quart, it better be.
Smelling the fluid simply tells you if it is burned - our noses are not capable of complex fluid analysis. Your transmission uses a group III base stock and it would be best to change it periodically if you desire to keep the van longer. with the old Chrysler ATF+3 it was good to change it every 30k. with the much-improved ATF+4 I would recommend changing it every 60-80k miles. Of course, I like to error on the side of caution - but I have NEVER had a transmission problem that was fluid-related. (I did lose a solenoid pack once) make certain that ATF+4 is used; not some universal fluid or Dexron.
ATF +4 is actually a fully synthetic fluid. ATF+3 was just an in between fluid they used until +4 was developed. Matter of fact, I believe they are compatible with each other. Most of the power steering systems on Dodge/Chrysler vehicles since around 2002 also uses +4 in them. Seems to be a very good fluid, given its price per quart, it better be.
As someone who has personally rebuilt quite a few of those god-forsaken transmissions from the Caravans with my dad, I can tell you that they aren't all that bad it's just that Chrysler used el-cheapo materials that don't stand up to heat well.
If you get an auxiliary cooler with a thermostatic control and run the line coming out of the radiator cooler to the auxiliary cooler and then back to the transmission they will last the life of the vehicle in most cases.
Otherwise without the cooler they will last just short of the warranty period in most cases, but you do see a rare one that makes it further, but these are far/few in between.
With/without the cooler installed, you absolutely should do no towing or heaving loading of the van as the transmissions just aren't designed for more than just passenger transport with the external cooler installed.
If you get an auxiliary cooler with a thermostatic control and run the line coming out of the radiator cooler to the auxiliary cooler and then back to the transmission they will last the life of the vehicle in most cases.
Otherwise without the cooler they will last just short of the warranty period in most cases, but you do see a rare one that makes it further, but these are far/few in between.
With/without the cooler installed, you absolutely should do no towing or heaving loading of the van as the transmissions just aren't designed for more than just passenger transport with the external cooler installed.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
As someone who has personally rebuilt quite a few of those god-forsaken transmissions from the Caravans with my dad, I can tell you that they aren't all that bad it's just that Chrysler used el-cheapo materials that don't stand up to heat well.
If you get an auxiliary cooler with a thermostatic control and run the line coming out of the radiator cooler to the auxiliary cooler and then back to the transmission they will last the life of the vehicle in most cases.
Otherwise without the cooler they will last just short of the warranty period in most cases, but you do see a rare one that makes it further, but these are far/few in between.
With/without the cooler installed, you absolutely should do no towing or heaving loading of the van as the transmissions just aren't designed for more than just passenger transport with the external cooler installed.
This.
Uncle's tranny in their Caravan is holding up well....
As someone who has personally rebuilt quite a few of those god-forsaken transmissions from the Caravans with my dad, I can tell you that they aren't all that bad it's just that Chrysler used el-cheapo materials that don't stand up to heat well.
If you get an auxiliary cooler with a thermostatic control and run the line coming out of the radiator cooler to the auxiliary cooler and then back to the transmission they will last the life of the vehicle in most cases.
Otherwise without the cooler they will last just short of the warranty period in most cases, but you do see a rare one that makes it further, but these are far/few in between.
With/without the cooler installed, you absolutely should do no towing or heaving loading of the van as the transmissions just aren't designed for more than just passenger transport with the external cooler installed.
This.
Uncle's tranny in their Caravan is holding up well....
I tell you with all the rebuilds on these stupid 4 speed units I have done I could probably do one in my sleep now.
So an answer to my question would be????????????
Change it. It's been overdue for the last 100,000 km
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