Oil Change interval Grand Caravan 3.8

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DeafBrad

Joined
May 10, 2016
Messages
347
Location
WA
Hi,

I am a new member, but have visited this website from time to time.

I just purchased a 2006 Grand Caravan. I was surprised to find the owner's manual recommends 3000 mile oil changes? I haven't had a car for many years that had that low of an oil change interval.

That would amount to quite a few oil changes for me. Anyone here who has extended that and had the oil tested? I tend to use Super Tech oil or something similar.

BTW, I like the van so far.
 
I have owned 4 Chrysler mini vans with 3.3 engines. 3.3 and 3.8 are the same block.
I change oil about every 7,500 miles with conventional oil. Never had a problem. The vans rust out and I scrap them at around 200,000 miles with the engines running just fine.
 
Yeah he is right 5000 to 7500 changes and the engine will outlast the transmission and life of the car.

I own an 09 with a 4.0 and I do 5000 mile conventional changes only because it's easy to remember (60k, 65k, etc) and I have 130 quarts of oil in my gagrage.
 
Those engines truly will outlast the vehicle itself. My former employer had fleet vans(Chrysler town and country and dodge caravan) both of 06/07 years and they both had 310k+ miles and the engines were using synthetic 5w30. The transmission in the Chrysler was going bad but the dodge was running strong.

The boss claimed 6500k oci on both
 
Last edited:
I had a 2005 purchaded new. I did 7500 to 8000 oci's. Traded the van with 185k running great. Used synthetic oils mostly. The thing you should know is that the 3.8 engines consume oil. Dodge says one qt/1000 miles is normal. If the vehicle has more than like 60k miles, one qt/750 miles is normal. I currently own a 2009 Town & Country, 3.8 engine, purchased 3 years ago with 64k miles. It was using one quart every 1000 miles like clock work. The only thing that seems to reduce the consumption is a high mileage oil. Currently getting 2000 to 2500 miles before adding a quart.
 
how many miles on odo?

3000 miles for now condition is too early, go for 5000 miles it is good for conventional oil as the start
 
Thanks for your replies. Do the newer Caravans have an OLM? If so, any idea what mileage the OLM is calling for the oil to be changed? I am assuming the newer Caravans still have the 3.3 or 3.8 liter engine.
 
The owners manual calls for 6,000 mile oil changes. 3,000 if you operate it in extreme conditions. Below is from the owners manual.

Schedule A is for normal conditions
Schedule B is for extreme conditions

I'd go with Schedule A

2myas0m.png


24l4dwy.png
 
Originally Posted By: nyumski
how many miles on odo?

3000 miles for now condition is too early, go for 5000 miles it is good for conventional oil as the start




The van has 122,000 miles on it currently
 
Originally Posted By: NavyVet88
Those engines truly will outlast the vehicle itself. My former employer had fleet vans(Chrysler town and country and dodge caravan) both of 06/07 years and they both had 310k+ miles and the engines were using synthetic 5w30. The transmission in the Chrysler was going bad but the dodge was running strong.

The boss claimed 6500k oci on both


Wow, original transmissions too?
 
Originally Posted By: otis24
I had a 2005 purchaded new. I did 7500 to 8000 oci's. Traded the van with 185k running great. Used synthetic oils mostly. The thing you should know is that the 3.8 engines consume oil. Dodge says one qt/1000 miles is normal. If the vehicle has more than like 60k miles, one qt/750 miles is normal. I currently own a 2009 Town & Country, 3.8 engine, purchased 3 years ago with 64k miles. It was using one quart every 1000 miles like clock work. The only thing that seems to reduce the consumption is a high mileage oil. Currently getting 2000 to 2500 miles before adding a quart.

Thanks for the trick about using high mileage oil. The previous owner said it uses no oil... but then again he would change the oil every 2,000 miles.
 
Originally Posted By: JR
No worries about the 3.3/3.8's, durable.
The transaxle will leave walking.
The 3.8 is know to frink oil. Its the nature of the beast, 1qt/.75-1k.
I do not own but service a away from time to time..



Harvey

Thanks for replying to my post. The transaxle will leave walking? Not sure what you mean by that phrase. Could you explain please?
 
The transmission makes you a better driver, ha. My brother's 3.8 caravan runs like a top @ ~270k miles. He babys the accelerator and gets good fuel economy above EPA.
 
Originally Posted By: DeafBrad
Thanks for your replies. Do the newer Caravans have an OLM? If so, any idea what mileage the OLM is calling for the oil to be changed? I am assuming the newer Caravans still have the 3.3 or 3.8 liter engine.


The newer caravans 2011 and up have the 3.6 liter pentastar engine. They do have an oil change reminder that goes off around 10k miles.

On my 2015 caravan, I haven't run the OCI that long.
 
Originally Posted By: DeafBrad
Originally Posted By: NavyVet88
Those engines truly will outlast the vehicle itself. My former employer had fleet vans(Chrysler town and country and dodge caravan) both of 06/07 years and they both had 310k+ miles and the engines were using synthetic 5w30. The transmission in the Chrysler was going bad but the dodge was running strong.

The boss claimed 6500k oci on both


Wow, original transmissions too?


Probably 3rd or 4th. 41TEs didn't work out so well in Neons with a 4 cylinder, much less so in a Minivan with a v6
 
A friend has a van like yours and uses Mobil 1 5w30 Extended Performance with 15K OCIs. The engine has 120K and running strong.
 
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
The transmission makes you a better driver, ha. My brother's 3.8 caravan runs like a top @ ~270k miles. He babys the accelerator and gets good fuel economy above EPA.

Since I got the van I reset the MPG gauge that the van has. In mixed driving I have gotten 23 mpg. The van is rated for 24 on the highway so I am happy to get that.
 
There is so much b&s here I don't know where to start. Just follow the owners manual, you will be fine.

There is no OLM.
The 3.8 does not drink oil. I have a 94 3.8 with 208k on it. Gets about 2300 miles/qt.
After 100k miles, the transmission should have a pan drop every 30-50k. always use ATF+4 oil, W/M + 4 is fine.
Always Use G-05 antifreeze. Good for 10 years, 150k miles.

I just bought a 2006 Chrysler T&C with 188k miles, all original. This is my 8th minivan. Needed Struts, shocks and brakes, otherwise excellent condition.

If you need more info, feel free to PM me.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
New Dodge Grand caravan with 3.8 = 5w20
Replies
10
Views
4K
blupupher
B
  • Locked
Grand Caravan owner's, what oil?
2
Replies
34
Views
7K
blupupher
U
  • Locked
Caravan 3.8 oil change is due
Replies
2
Views
535
mikemc
A
  • Locked
Grand Caravan 3.8 + 0w40?
Replies
9
Views
4K
GR_CoB
O
  • Locked
New 2016 Grand Caravan 3.6 question
Replies
3
Views
1K
jayg
Back
Top Bottom