I called my local Dodge dealership, since I had gotten a coupon via e-mail on a ATF drain plus filter change, and they tried to convince me to get a flush. The guy in the service area told me that if I flush it (it's more expensive to go that route) that I wouldn't have to change the filter. However, I simply had then drain it and install the new filter. As I waited I started talking to the guy in the parts area and he told me that the filter only goes 30,000 miles. I told him that it must go more because when their shop does a flush (every 30,000 miles) they don't chage the filter. He looked it up in the service book and said that Dodge recommends that the filter be changed every 30,ooo miles. So I am somewhat confused. Does the flush eliminate the recommendation to change the filter every 30,000 miles? If so, how many times can I flush it before I need to change the filter?
flush vs drain on Grand Caravan
- Thread starter Capa
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Filter should be replaced either way.
No.
A flush gets all the old fluid out including the fluid in the trans cooler and torque convertor.
A pan drop and filter change only gets about half the old fluid out.
Many vehicles now go 100,000 miles before they say to do a filter/fluid change.
I would say you could probably go 90,000 miles before changing the filter but I prefer to change them between 30-60,000 miles.
A flush gets all the old fluid out including the fluid in the trans cooler and torque convertor.
A pan drop and filter change only gets about half the old fluid out.
Many vehicles now go 100,000 miles before they say to do a filter/fluid change.
I would say you could probably go 90,000 miles before changing the filter but I prefer to change them between 30-60,000 miles.
Yes, I would say filter should be replaced. Flushing doesn't clean out the filter. And if it did, that would mean it's flushing all the [censored] in the filter back through the transmission, which to me seems like a bad idea. I don't think flushes are necessary anyway. If it makes you feel better and it's cheaper, have them drain, replace filter, and refill once, then drive a few minutes and drain and refill again. That will give you a pretty good percentage of fluid change without the cost and potential problems associated with flush, plus you'll have a new filter.
Flushes would be fine if you knew what the fluid replacement was for sure. I can have faith in my fellow man but I have no faith in who he works for. The chrysler trans needs the correct fluid replaced or the consequences ar catatrophic.
Flushing is good, replaced all the fluid. Just dropping the pan and change the filter only gets about 4ish quarts out, plus the filters never really seem to be full, and many of them are simply metal screens. On mine I'd swap the filter and flush it, but if I was doing one or the other I'd just flush it.
we always do both. Right in the driveway, simple and cheap.
I recommend the filter be changed for sure. The flush is the best way to get ALL the fluid out.
If you are concerned about the fluids used buy them yourself. The exchange machine is easily purged of all fluid.
I recommend the filter be changed for sure. The flush is the best way to get ALL the fluid out.
If you are concerned about the fluids used buy them yourself. The exchange machine is easily purged of all fluid.
Since it was done at the Dodge dealership and not Jiffy Lube
I'm not concerned about the incorrect ATF. It seems that opinion is divided. Some of you always chage the ATF with the filter and some of you don't. I'd like a definitive answer if there is one.
Some of these Chrysler transmissions will puke in a short period if you don't use the ATF+4 fluid. If you do the math it's about $2500 to fix.
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Originally Posted By: Capa
Since it was done at the Dodge dealership and not Jiffy Lube
I'm not concerned about the incorrect ATF.
Hopefully your Dodge dealer is better than the GM/Saturn dealer I was at recently. They were doing a power flush with Dexron VI as their standard service on a vehicle that calls for a drain/fill with ATF-Z1. This type of thing has been discussed in many, many threads. A LOT of dealers, the supposed experts, are clueless when it comes to correct service procedures and parts.
Since it was done at the Dodge dealership and not Jiffy Lube
Hopefully your Dodge dealer is better than the GM/Saturn dealer I was at recently. They were doing a power flush with Dexron VI as their standard service on a vehicle that calls for a drain/fill with ATF-Z1. This type of thing has been discussed in many, many threads. A LOT of dealers, the supposed experts, are clueless when it comes to correct service procedures and parts.
Originally Posted By: barlowc
Originally Posted By: Capa
Since it was done at the Dodge dealership and not Jiffy Lube
I'm not concerned about the incorrect ATF.
Hopefully your Dodge dealer is better than the GM/Saturn dealer I was at recently. They were doing a power flush with Dexron VI as their standard service on a vehicle that calls for a drain/fill with ATF-Z1. This type of thing has been discussed in many, many threads. A LOT of dealers, the supposed experts, are clueless when it comes to correct service procedures and parts.
Does the Vue also use Honda transmissions? I know the V6 is Honda......
Originally Posted By: Capa
Since it was done at the Dodge dealership and not Jiffy Lube
Hopefully your Dodge dealer is better than the GM/Saturn dealer I was at recently. They were doing a power flush with Dexron VI as their standard service on a vehicle that calls for a drain/fill with ATF-Z1. This type of thing has been discussed in many, many threads. A LOT of dealers, the supposed experts, are clueless when it comes to correct service procedures and parts.
Does the Vue also use Honda transmissions? I know the V6 is Honda......
Luckily the van came with a standard 80,000 mile powertrain warranty and I put about 8,000 miles a year and so it'll be warrantied for about another 3 1/2 years 
I know that even Dealers will occasionally mess up but if you can't trust them, who can you really trust. I plan to change the ATF in my Lexus GS400 myself because it's a whole lot easier. There is no filter to be replaced and you don't have to remove the pan. Talk about easy. I plan to use Redline. However, the Dodge is another story and since I've never done this myself (plus I hear the job's messy) I thought a dealer would be the best place to go.
I know that even Dealers will occasionally mess up but if you can't trust them, who can you really trust. I plan to change the ATF in my Lexus GS400 myself because it's a whole lot easier. There is no filter to be replaced and you don't have to remove the pan. Talk about easy. I plan to use Redline. However, the Dodge is another story and since I've never done this myself (plus I hear the job's messy) I thought a dealer would be the best place to go.
A pan drop and filter replacement should be all any transmission needs for life. If you wanted, you could have a drain plug installed in the pan and install a filter inline with the cooler like a Magnefine, and get away with only replacing that and doing a drain/refill without replacing the internal filter for 100k or longer.
I would never use a flush that used a chemical or didn't use the transmission to pump the fluid, but a fluid transfer like many do via the cooler line would be fine.
I would never use a flush that used a chemical or didn't use the transmission to pump the fluid, but a fluid transfer like many do via the cooler line would be fine.
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Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
Does the Vue also use Honda transmissions? I know the V6 is Honda......
Yep, our 2007 was the last year they used the Honda powertrain. It's a nice setup, but that transmission has some quirks. I'm at 30K miles and am about to drain/fill the fluid in hopes that it'll restore it to like-new feel and shifting.
Does the Vue also use Honda transmissions? I know the V6 is Honda......
Yep, our 2007 was the last year they used the Honda powertrain. It's a nice setup, but that transmission has some quirks. I'm at 30K miles and am about to drain/fill the fluid in hopes that it'll restore it to like-new feel and shifting.
If Dodge now recommends a filter change every 30,000 miles, then they have done a complete turn around compared to the previous generation van where they stated the fluid/filter was lifetime fill or 60K fluid/filter change under extreme conditions.
I'm curious if your manual corresponds with what the dealer parts guy recommended.
I'm with the over-maintenance crowd with this particular transmission and think that a fluid/filter change at 30K is good, then alternate fluid only at next 30K, then repeat cycle.
I'm curious if your manual corresponds with what the dealer parts guy recommended.
I'm with the over-maintenance crowd with this particular transmission and think that a fluid/filter change at 30K is good, then alternate fluid only at next 30K, then repeat cycle.
I was also under the impression that Dodge recommended a 60,000 ATF drain/flush/filter change. My Grand Caravan is a 2006. I believe most dealerships assume that you are under the severe maintanence schedule. They make more money that way but I'm fine with that as long as the vehicle will in fact last longer.
Originally Posted By: Capa
Stenerson, have you owned it since new? Just wondering since that would put your drain cycle at around 60,000 miles.
No, we bought it in 2001 with 21K miles on it. I doubt the fluid was changed by previous owner.
Stenerson, have you owned it since new? Just wondering since that would put your drain cycle at around 60,000 miles.
No, we bought it in 2001 with 21K miles on it. I doubt the fluid was changed by previous owner.
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