2007 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3 - ATF and filter change

[Number_35]

We bought the van in March 2021 with 199,000 km (c. 124,000 miles) on it.

In the first week or so I changed out the transmission pan for one with a drain plug, and changed the filter at the same time.

Since then I've done regular drains and fills - about 2.5 litres each time, typically every other oil change.

The van's at 278,000 km (c. 173,000 miles) now. I figured that with close to 80,000 km on the filter, it's due to be changed out.

I drained the pan and removed it. It was not too bad inside - the little round magnet had some sludgy buildup on it, but less that I expected. It was all fine stuff, with no prickly or shiny shavings.

I changed out the filter, and added 4 quarts of ATF+4. I need to check on level ground with the fluid hot, but think it's close.

This will likely be the last time the van gets a new filter - but I thought that 4-1/2 years ago.

 

[Lubener]

I would do pan drops, 4 quart and filter changes every 35k to 40k miles. To drain 2.5 liters out every other oil change is unnecessary. ATF+4 lasts a long time.

 

[Number_35]

I would do pan drops, 4 quart and filter changes every 35k to 40k miles. To drain 2.5 liters out every other oil change is unnecessary. ATF+4 lasts a long time.

It's probably overkill, but to an extent I'm paying for peace of mind.

These transmissions (or at least the earlier 4-speed ones in Dodge minivans) had a bad reputation. They may have been good by 2007 - I don't know.

An annual drain and fill doesn't cost much in the great scheme of things, and is easy enough to do at the same time as an oil change.

 

[vwmaniaman]

Where I worked I had a company car which when I started was a Ford Taurus but eventually became a Ford Windstop. All of the 3 Windstars I had experieced transmission failures. Low mileage failures were common. First one at 9k miles and just in town doing 35mph. Coasted into a post office and tow truck had to drak it up the ramp because it locked up. Second Windstar was a 2003 and I pulled up to a stop sign and went to accelerate and no drive. Then we switched to Dodge Caravans and Chrysler mini vans. NEver had problems with their transmission missions and I asked the salesman when I picked up my new 2004 if they had resolved their transmission issues and he assured me they had. Only failure I had on that one was a fuel pump quit at 132k. My next was a 2006 Chrysler T&C and I bought that one for my wife. Only problem I had with it was a bad drivers window switch and an EGR valve. I traded it for a Mazda 5 when it had 187K on it. Still ran great but I wanted better economy with the Mazda. My wife hated giving it up since it was so comfortable for her to drive. So I don't think you need to worry too much about that mini van you have.

 

[Number_35]

My parents-in-law bought a new Windstar in '97. It was a really nice vehicle, very comfortable, but was plagued with expensive mechanical issues. Rust eventually did it in. I think the one thing they didn't have problems with was the transmission.

A friend had one, which developed a misfire. While researching the issue, I found a Windstar forum. One of the leading contributors had this signature line: "If the Check Engine light isn't on, it's not a real Windstar".

 

[Capt W]

These transmissions (or at least the earlier 4-speed ones in Dodge minivans) had a bad reputation. They may have been good by 2007 - I don't know.

The early "Ultradrive" units (1989-early 1990s) indeed had some issues. The later years are quite robust - MY 2007 introduced variable line pressure (VLP) to adjust line pressure based on load.

Your peace of mind is fine, but to me it's absolute overkill. ATF+4 is a high-quality synthetic fluid that lasts a long time. At over $6.00 a quart it's an unnecessary expense.

The only exceptions I'd make to this rule is if you do a lot of towing, mountainous driving, or heavy load carrying.

I just sold my '05 Caravan with the 40TE transmission (light-duty version); I did three fluid & filter changes in 20+ years and 265K miles and she drove and shifted beautifully from Day One to the day the new owner took her away.

 

[Number_35]

The early "Ultradrive" units (1989-early 1990s) indeed had some issues. The later years are quite robust - MY 2007 introduced variable line pressure (VLP) to adjust line pressure based on load.

Your peace of mind is fine, but to me it's absolute overkill. ATF+4 is a high-quality synthetic fluid that lasts a long time. At over $6.00 a quart it's an unnecessary expense.

The only exceptions I'd make to this rule is if you do a lot of towing, mountainous driving, or heavy load carrying.

I just sold my '05 Caravan with the 40TE transmission (light-duty version); I did three fluid & filter changes in 20+ years and 265K miles and she drove and shifted beautifully from Day One to the day the new owner took her away.

There was an issue of Consumer Reports some years ago with the annual auto reliability ratings. Those were the tables with the columns with the red and black dots. This would have been during the 3rd- or 4th-gen Dodge vans (quite a span - MY 1995 to 2007) - I wish I could remember exactly when this was. Anyway, CR reported that the SWB Dodge vans were fine, but that the LWB ones suffered from transmission problems. That said to me that the transmission was underbuilt for the extra weight of the heavier LWB model.

Given that I've treated the van like a truck with a covered bed (hauling drywall, plywood, lumber, paving stones, etc.), the regular fluid changes have given me some peace of mind - if the transmission fails, it won't be due to neglect.