Ringing in the new year

[otis24]

I have a small pocket notebook that I use to record my oil changes (DIY). On the inside cover, each Jan 1st, I post my odometer reading to keep track of how many miles I log in a year.

Starting out the new decade with 100351 miles on my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan that I purchased new. It has the 3.8 motor, I have used syntetic oils since about the 30k mark due to oil consumption that seems to be normal for this engine. This vehicle will have to lasted me amother 2.5 years or about 50k miles based on my current usage until it is paid for.

The only problems I have had thus far is: replace both tie rod ends, replace front struts and strut mounts, and currently, I have a power steering issue that I hope will be solved by replacing the resorvoir and flushing the system.

 

[Johnny]

Carry on, your good for another 5-years and another 100,351 miles.

 

[crinkles]

personally, i would soil my pants if i had those issues and were still making downpayments!

 

[BigCahuna]

You have over 100k on a car and you think replacing some minor parts is a big deal? They are parts that normally wear out like tires and brakes, wiper blades, bulbs. Except the power steering pump stuff.

 

[otis24]

Not thinking these are a big deal at all. In the past, I would have been itching to trade when I neared the 100K mark. I had old school thinking and was afraid that an automobile would start falling apart at 100K. Since I purchased this vehicle, I found this site and also became an automobile salesman. As a salesman, I've personally seen vehicles that have been well maintained that have 150k-200k miles and still going strong. On this site, I've seen posts of those with 200k or better.

Now, I'm looking forward to pushing mine to the 150k-200k mile mark. As long as the engine and transmission last, I can handle other minor reairs. The only concern that I had with the Grand Caravan was that it was using about .75 qts of oil in 1200 miles. This was remedied with a switch to synthetic motor oil. I know that Dodge had issues with their transmissions in the past as well. I've used synthetic oil since about 30k. I had a transmission cooler installed and the transmission has been flushed twice since I have owned it. It is my understanding that Mopar ATF+4 is synthetic, but I don't know that for sure.

Since I purchased this vehicle new, I know its maintenance history and have every confidence of it lasting until it is paid for. Once it is paid for, I'll keep it as an extra vehicle and drive it until it can go no more.

At the 150K mark, I'll replace the spark plugs again, flush the transmission and keep on trucking.

 

[hertzer]

Draining your power steering system, and replacing it with ATF+4 transmission fluid may solve your power steering problem, but I don't know if that is the spec'ed fluid after model years 2004. It worked on mine, but mine Town & Country is a 2001 model. This copied from a TSB from Alldata:

The factory fill power steering fluid for most 2004 model year Chrysler Group vehicles is ATF+4 (MS9602) and it provides superior performance at both low and high temperatures. WJ/WG and ZH vehicles use unique power steering fluids. Refer to the table to identify factory fill and the approved service power steering fluid by year and model. Note that MS9602 is Red in color and MS5931 and MS9933 are Amber/Yellow in color. All three fluids will darken in color with usage and fluid color is no longer an indication of fluid condition.

The part numbers for MS9602 are 05013457AA (quart) and 05013458AA (gallon). The part number for MS5931 is 04883077 (quart). The part number for MB345 is 05127381AA.

MS9602 should not be mixed or used as a "topping off" fluid on systems requiring MS5931. On some past models, MS9602 should be used as the replacement fluid. On these models, if a power steering system is being serviced that results in a large fluid loss, such as a pump, hose or gear/rack replacement, the complete system should be drained and filled with MS9602.

 

[otis24]

Mine is MS9602.