Plan to change trans fluid soon. If I pump fluid out of my tranny by disconnecting a cooler line, do I have to worry about air being trapped after?
On a 01 Sebring, 93K.
On a 01 Sebring, 93K.
draining atf concern
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nope. be sure to use ATF+4. if the filter has never been changed, I would change it once.
You shouldn't have any problems at all. Make sure to only use Chrysler Mopar ATF-4 or the exact equivalent of the fluid or your transmission will be toasted in no time. Also make sure to change the tranny filters while you're at it.
I had great luck with Redline C+ in my Chrysler transmissions (made specifically by Redline for them) but ATF+4 is a pretty tough spec. Even the "el cheapo" versions (Advance Auto and Supertech come to mind) should work fine. BTW...how do you like the Caravan (am I the only one that misses his minivans?...had 6 of them...2 Villagers and 4 Chryslers...can't beat them for versatility and comfort)?
Love the minivan. It's our first. Loads of room, good driving position, room for the anklebiters and their stuff. Lucky me, I have the lifetime powertrain warranty. Good thing, because we had already planned to keep the van till it dies.
I have hauled full sheets of plywood with all of the seats down. Unload it, and five minutes later seats are back up, and two car seats installed. Hands down, I think a minivan is the most functional vehicle out there today. People can keep their SUV's and crossovers, minivan is the way to go.
I have hauled full sheets of plywood with all of the seats down. Unload it, and five minutes later seats are back up, and two car seats installed. Hands down, I think a minivan is the most functional vehicle out there today. People can keep their SUV's and crossovers, minivan is the way to go.
I just used castrol's atf+4 in my jeep and really like it. I believe valvoline is the oem supplier for chrysler. Both are "full syn," tho there are other ATF+4's out there that are listed as semi.
The castrol was closest to amsoil in VI's, which is what I really wanted to use but didn't due to warranty concerns.
We had an 01 T&C years ago, my wife was not fond of the image, but I LOVED that van. Yep-- full sheets of plywood, integrated baby seats, installed a inconspicuous but killer sound system... fantastic hwy cruiser and it towed a 2500lb camper quite well!!
BTW-- the high-juice ignition in mine ate spark plug wires!
M
The castrol was closest to amsoil in VI's, which is what I really wanted to use but didn't due to warranty concerns.
We had an 01 T&C years ago, my wife was not fond of the image, but I LOVED that van. Yep-- full sheets of plywood, integrated baby seats, installed a inconspicuous but killer sound system... fantastic hwy cruiser and it towed a 2500lb camper quite well!!
BTW-- the high-juice ignition in mine ate spark plug wires!
M
Originally Posted By: vtb
Plan to change trans fluid soon. If I pump fluid out of my tranny by disconnecting a cooler line, do I have to worry about air being trapped after?
On a 01 Sebring, 93K.
After your success with the Sebring, you might want to do a much shorter regimen with the Caravan if long life and miles is the goal. Lot of weight and subsequent heat.
I did 30k intervals with +3 in the early 90s and got 186k family miles without repair. +4 should do you even better.
Plan to change trans fluid soon. If I pump fluid out of my tranny by disconnecting a cooler line, do I have to worry about air being trapped after?
On a 01 Sebring, 93K.
After your success with the Sebring, you might want to do a much shorter regimen with the Caravan if long life and miles is the goal. Lot of weight and subsequent heat.
I did 30k intervals with +3 in the early 90s and got 186k family miles without repair. +4 should do you even better.
A van is very functional.
We did many family trips in the old Aerostar, as well as the Vanagon we had before the Aero.
They are really useful vehicles.
The image never mattered to me, although the VW was pretty hip, and would be more so today.
A side benefit is that the Aerostar has proven to be a very reliable and durable daily driver.
The old Aero remains in daily use by my younger son, who drives it to work and for his personal errands and visits.
We did many family trips in the old Aerostar, as well as the Vanagon we had before the Aero.
They are really useful vehicles.
The image never mattered to me, although the VW was pretty hip, and would be more so today.
A side benefit is that the Aerostar has proven to be a very reliable and durable daily driver.
The old Aero remains in daily use by my younger son, who drives it to work and for his personal errands and visits.
Won't ever touch the transaxle in the GC. It is the new 6 speed, not even a dipstick to check fluid, manual says, "lifetime, no need to service". I don't believe it, but I am being meticulous about maintaining the lifetime powertrain warranty. I'll be OC over the maintenance I can do, and if it fails in the future, it's Dodge's dime.
I bet they look into it somehow during each mandatory 5 year inspection.
I bet they look into it somehow during each mandatory 5 year inspection.
Nope.
You just need receipts to prove it. I keep a log book on warranted vehicles but we do almost all service in house.
You just need receipts to prove it. I keep a log book on warranted vehicles but we do almost all service in house.
+1
Everything is logged, receipts are being kept, and to triple check that I could actually do my own oil changes and maintenance, I called 5 different Dodge dealers with the question. All stated that you need to keep good records, receipts, and bring the vehicle in every 5 years for an inspection.
I think the number of powertrain claims they actually see on the lifetime warranty will be very small. How many people will keep meticulous records on their vehicle, then remember the five year inspection, and then have a powertrain problem? The warranty is non-transferrable also, so you can't sell the vehicle. Folks who get the new car bug every few years will cancel lots of these warranties at trade in.
Everything is logged, receipts are being kept, and to triple check that I could actually do my own oil changes and maintenance, I called 5 different Dodge dealers with the question. All stated that you need to keep good records, receipts, and bring the vehicle in every 5 years for an inspection.
I think the number of powertrain claims they actually see on the lifetime warranty will be very small. How many people will keep meticulous records on their vehicle, then remember the five year inspection, and then have a powertrain problem? The warranty is non-transferrable also, so you can't sell the vehicle. Folks who get the new car bug every few years will cancel lots of these warranties at trade in.
Originally Posted By: vtb
+1
Everything is logged, receipts are being kept, and to triple check that I could actually do my own oil changes and maintenance, I called 5 different Dodge dealers with the question. All stated that you need to keep good records, receipts, and bring the vehicle in every 5 years for an inspection.
I think the number of powertrain claims they actually see on the lifetime warranty will be very small. How many people will keep meticulous records on their vehicle, then remember the five year inspection, and then have a powertrain problem? The warranty is non-transferrable also, so you can't sell the vehicle. Folks who get the new car bug every few years will cancel lots of these warranties at trade in.
I did the exact same thing when I bought my Jeep back in 2007. I keep meticulous records with a 3 ring binder and those plastic sheet protectors for all of my paperwork.
I think you're right with the logic behind the warranty. It only applies to the first owner of the car, so I'm willing to bet most people will trade in their vehicles well before any major repairs are needed. Of those who hold on to their vehicles, a fairly large percentage either wont maintain vehicles properly or wont keep adequate records. After that, many wont get a 5 year inspection done and I doubt Chrysler will be sending out reminders.
If all goes as planned, I'll have multiple reminder emails sent to myself in 2012. I set them all up the first week I bought the vehicle
+1
Everything is logged, receipts are being kept, and to triple check that I could actually do my own oil changes and maintenance, I called 5 different Dodge dealers with the question. All stated that you need to keep good records, receipts, and bring the vehicle in every 5 years for an inspection.
I think the number of powertrain claims they actually see on the lifetime warranty will be very small. How many people will keep meticulous records on their vehicle, then remember the five year inspection, and then have a powertrain problem? The warranty is non-transferrable also, so you can't sell the vehicle. Folks who get the new car bug every few years will cancel lots of these warranties at trade in.
I did the exact same thing when I bought my Jeep back in 2007. I keep meticulous records with a 3 ring binder and those plastic sheet protectors for all of my paperwork.
I think you're right with the logic behind the warranty. It only applies to the first owner of the car, so I'm willing to bet most people will trade in their vehicles well before any major repairs are needed. Of those who hold on to their vehicles, a fairly large percentage either wont maintain vehicles properly or wont keep adequate records. After that, many wont get a 5 year inspection done and I doubt Chrysler will be sending out reminders.
If all goes as planned, I'll have multiple reminder emails sent to myself in 2012. I set them all up the first week I bought the vehicle
I want to hear about someone who actually brought one in for the first check for the LT Powertrain warranty. It is a selling tool, they will have a list of things that need to be done in order to keep the warranty intact. That list will be a small fortune.
I also keep fantastic records. It should be very interesting when I bring my Jeep in, especially since I haven't seen the dealer since I rolled it off the lot. If all goes as planned the next time I see them will be for the 5 year checkup. At that point it will be all selling for the dealer, and me saying no, no, and no. Then showing them the maint was already done by me.
I also keep fantastic records. It should be very interesting when I bring my Jeep in, especially since I haven't seen the dealer since I rolled it off the lot. If all goes as planned the next time I see them will be for the 5 year checkup. At that point it will be all selling for the dealer, and me saying no, no, and no. Then showing them the maint was already done by me.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I want to hear about someone who actually brought one in for the first check for the LT Powertrain warranty. It is a selling tool, they will have a list of things that need to be done in order to keep the warranty intact. That list will be a small fortune.
Can you post a copy of this list? I'd really like to see it. All I have is the warranty book from when I bought the vehicle.
I want to hear about someone who actually brought one in for the first check for the LT Powertrain warranty. It is a selling tool, they will have a list of things that need to be done in order to keep the warranty intact. That list will be a small fortune.
Can you post a copy of this list? I'd really like to see it. All I have is the warranty book from when I bought the vehicle.
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