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Not using your parking brake regularly is hardly comparable to neglecting to change your oil. The most I am risking with a nonfunctional parking brake is just that, a non functioning parking brake, and if I haven't screwed up the automatic transmission park interlock on my 1996 caravan with 86K miles by now, it is doubful I will.
I do pay attention to items that are necessary, such as oil changes, filters, etc, but I hardly equate not using my parking brake as neglect!
It is? Says who? The manuals for both of our Caravans quite clearly spell out a 7,500 OCI.
I think that is true under service B. But in service A, I think it's still every three months or 3,000 miles. Depends a lot on weather, if it's dusty and if you do a lot of stop and go driving.
Best Regards,
Shipo
About using my parking brake, the reason is because I'm parking on a hilly area very often, and due to Chryslers bad history of automatic transmissions, I don't take chances. I follow all recommendations.
Given that synthetic oil, specifically Mobil-1, is so much more capable than conventional mineral based oil, I adhere to the 7,500 mile OCI (with a filter at every change) regardless of what type of driving I've done. The only exception is that if I've put an inordinate number of highway only miles on the van, then I might extend the OCI to 10,000 miles.
Our 1998 GC with the 3.8 has nearly 90,000 miles on it, it posts no worse than 75/80 on the cylinder leak down test, and has no audible noises associated with either cam/lifter problems or crank/bearing problems. As if that isn't good enough, when you open the oil filler port, the rocker arms and shaft are as perfectly clean and varnish free as they were the day we brought it home fresh from the factory. My bet is that this motor will easily be able to see the north side of 200,000 miles with virtually no maintenance other than what is called for in the "Schedule A". On the other hand, while we've had zero problems with the transmission so far, I seriously doubt that it will see even 150,000 miles before it requires a rebuild. To my way of thinking, any automatic transmission that delivers anything over 100,000 miles doesn't owe its owner anything anyway, so any miles beyond that point are basically free money.
Best Regards,
Shipo
As for why the Owners' Manual would suggest using the parking brake all of the time? Simple, lawyers.
In my case, I take this a step further. As my main ride for the last 30 years has had three pedals below the dash, I park the car and leave it in gear, usually reverse. Do I use the parking brake all of the time? Hell no! Do I use it when I'm on an incline? Hell yes!
Best Regards,
Shipo
And shipo is right, it is product liability issues that make DC tell you to always use your parking brake. In reality, surely you should parking on steep inclines, but on the horizontal, no real need.
Anyway, to me at least, the concept of using the parking brake to save the transmission doesn't add up. This is not black magic after all. The fact is that if your car fails to shift properly from say second to first, there is no way that one could point to the lack of parking brake usage as the culprit. Them's jus' ain't the same part o the tranny. Said another way, I've been following various DC van boards since we got our 1998 in July of that year, and so far, I have yet to hear of even a single transmission failure because the owner didn't use the parking brake. Having said that, I did in fact hear of one case (and only one) where someone who regularly parked on an incline and didn't use his parking brake managed to shear off the pin that holds the transmission in park. The whole thing worked still, it's just that putting it in park was just like putting it in neutral.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I just got a 2005 loaded T&C Limited which I just love the stow and go seating. But I have a few of questions if anyone can help me.
Does the 6 disc DVD player play MP3s or Audio DVDs?
Also how do you get the 6 disc DVD player to do random?
I have looked at my manual and when it comes to the Radio/DVD player, forget it.
Any help would be appreciated. I installed a 12 disk MP3 player in my 99 T&C and am really missing it.
Thanks
The are not comfortable for me, (tall with long legs) and I can't imagine any adults being comfy back there because they are very low and slope so much front to back.
But I've yet to read any complaints. Is this just me?
Has anyone put car seats into the Stow and go 2nd row seats? Can they even fit with those sloped seats?
Maybe I just don;t like the look of them and am imagining other issues.
Comments from GC owners are appreciated.
Option 28J has 60/40 split "fold into the floor" 3rd row seating with 2nd row bench seat with rear heater and air conditioning with triple zone controls.
I do not know if either or both of these options includes the storage space under the floor between front seats and 2nd row seating.
I have had a couple of people sit in those stow-n-go seats and not heard any of them complain. I would imagine if you were pretty tall, you might hurt for leg room, especially if the front seats were back pretty far.
But I don't know what you mean about the seats sloping. My seats don't slope. Are you sure you are adjusting the seats right? The backs will lean back and the seats move forward and reverse. But they don't slope.
I've been lurking here for a couple of months and have found the forum invaluable in my research on minivans.
I had narrowed it down to the Ody LX, the Sienna LE, the T&C Touring or the GC SXT. Mr. "ahzoo" and I started test driving last Saturday and finished today with the Ody, The T&C and a third drive in the GC.
Here's what I think I need in a minivan: Good power and pickup (Esp. for freeway merging), side curtain airbags (Are they really necessary? Maybe just for peace of mind.), room for at least seven passengers and "stuff" (we have three kids), cargo space (I'm the family handyperson, build a little furniture and have been known to haul large garage/estate sale "finds"),. I decided recently that rear parking assist (a beeper) would be a good idea since most bumpers are made of fiberglass covered tissue paper (although I don't make a habit of backing into things).
Here are my test drive impressions:
The 2005 Sienna:
I hated the way the automatic transmission shifted. I tend to accelerate quickly and the Sienna tranny wasn't keeping up with me. Although the van seemed to be keeping up speed, the tachometer needle was going too high and I was aware of waiting for the van to finish shifting. My husband also noticed it, but it didn't bother him as much as it did me. After the test drive, I mentioned this to the salesperson and got the following response (to the effect of): "It's an intelligent transmission that will eventually adapt itself to your style of driving." Hmmm. I did a little research and gathered that VW had claimed that kind of technology, but haven't seen an indication that Toyota is using it. Some folks on the forums here have said that Toyota is aware of it being a problem.
The 2005 Ody:
My husband really liked it and thought it handled well and had a solid feel. I liked the way it handled and accelerated. I didn't like the fact that you can't manually override the power sliding doors. The cloth fabric was pretty cheesy looking; I don't think it would hold up to abuse from my tribe. I keep hearing that the interior space is larger than the GC, but it didn't feel like it sitting in the middle row. Overall, it seemed like a good van, although I have noticed a number of complaints about doors and build quality on the Ody forum. 'Not sure that the roll down windows in the cargo area are a good thing.
The T&C Touring:
'Not sure where they found the demo since it didn't have Stow and Go. It had a 3.3L engine and the pickup was surprisingly good considering that.
The GC SXT:
Solid feel, smooth acceleration, good pickup, good visibility. Stow and Go seats (woo-hoo!) Offered more standard features at a lower price than the Ody LX and, particularly the Sienna LE. 7 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty.
I finally decided to do some negotiating with a salesperson at the Dodge dealership. Here is the deal I have on paper ('haven't signed anything yet and the dealership is now closed until Monday.):
2005 Grand Caravan SXT with added options (Side Curtain Airbags, Power Liftgate, Rear Parking Assist and Power Adjustable Pedals, which I said I wouldn't pay for since I don't need them: $22,299 + TTL. Does this sound like a good deal to anyone else?
That's a fantastic price. I paid over $23,000 +TTL, for my Dodge and didn't get adjustable pedals, rear parking assist or side airbags. My sticker was around $27,500. Did get 0% financing though.
2005 Grand Caravan SXT with added options (Side Curtain Airbags, Power Liftgate, Rear Parking Assist and Power Adjustable Pedals, which I said I wouldn't pay for since I don't need them: $22,299 + TTL. Does this sound like a good deal to anyone else?
Sounds like a very good price. I bought my 2005 GC SXT (power liftgate, sunroof and tow package) for $19,500 but that was with DCX employee pricing. I'd say good deal. I'm very happy with mine, the "Stow N Go" seats clinched it for me!!
I had come up with a TMV of $21,130, so I will go through all the numbers once again. Although I was very pleasant, I had the feeling the salesman was irked by the end of the negotiations. (When I walked away for a few minutes, he said to my husband, "Well. Your wife has really done her homework.")
I wouldn't have had the same level of confidence if I hadn't found so much information in these forums and with the Edmunds pricing.
The salesperson tried to get me to leave a deposit and I refused. He said I have to come in Monday morning (end of the rebate period) to get the deal. They have the van on the lot at one of their stores across town. I am thinking of e-mailing that $22,299 figure to some othe dealers to see if they can do better. And if they can, I will take that number back to him. I don't really see why I need to rush to make the transaction on Monday morning, rather than Monday afternoon.
I don't want to be a "grinder," but if another dealer offers to sell the van for less.....? If no one will go lower on that price, then I know I've made a good deal.
We have a '95 GC and the dealer tried a common trick (in '95) of having a virtually useless aftermarket ABS system installed. Fortunately, with the help of the NHTSA, we caught them on it and traded the van they sold us for one with factory ABS. (Overall, it was a very unpleasant experience.)
At least with the Parking Assist, it would be obvious immediately if it isn't working properly.
I didn't like the fact that you can't manually override the power sliding doors..."
Just a comment: since you're talking about the LX model, they don't offer power doors as far as I remember. Either I'm mistaking or you're talking about the EX version.
Your deal seems very good. I guess you're talking about the PREMIUM package you got, which includes automatic temperature control (which, BTW, is useless IMO), adjustable pedals, rear parking assist (Fantastic IMO) and power liftgate and sport suspension. I paid more for my van without the side curtain airbags.
I was looking for the Premium Package (ANF) with the addition of side curtain airbags. The dealer wasn't able to find one in stock that didn't also include leather and a DVD player. Vans with side curtain airbags seemed to be in short supply, period. The closest (apparently) they could get was the SXT with power liftgate, the curtain airbags and power adjustable pedals and their service department will install the rear park assist. I will ask tomorrow why they happened to have such an odd combination of features on the van (did someone order it and back out, or was it ordered/sold and returned because of a problem?).
What is your experience with the automatic temperature control? I thought that might be an advantage to getting the Premium Package (and the touring suspension).
Thanks for your feedback!
Almost bought a Nissan Quest SL with it-parking assist and side air curtains but had second thoughts about buying another minivan. Also Quest does not have split third row seat. However after this weekend decided to reconsider buying a van.
Will see if dealer can install the rear assist. Keep us posted on how well the dealer installed item works.
But, since no one else seems to have noticed at all I can only assume we're seeing things ...feeling things.
We're just going to have to bring a carseat to the dealer and see what happens.
Thanks for the comments.
I see what you mean. I took my level out and tried it on the front and middle seats.
They both seem to have the same amount of slope to them. Check it out.
Leather Package
DVD Entertainment
Side curtain air bags
Sirius satellite
In Dash 6 CD player
Power ajustable pedals
removable cenetr front seat console
ALL FOR $23,735
I am just trying to determine if this is drive out or if it will include tax, tag and title. Either way it is KILLER deal. I just couldn't justify a Sienna with the same options.
You don't have the service manuals? Buy them on EBAY or from Chrysler or take your van to the dealer.
If it isn't the switch or a connection, I hope you are under warranty. The power seat track is not a repairable item and is only serviced by replacement!!!!!!!
Pricewise, the dealer wouldn't go lower than invoice minus rebates. Judging by the outrageous deals I see on these boards, apparantly one can do better than that. We'll see what real offers we'll get when we buy in a month.
Leather
Sunroof
DVD Entertainment
6 disk in-dash CD/DVD Changer
Navigation
Hope it helps others determine if they're getting a good deal.
I have 2200 miles on it and have 1 problem dealer couldn't find. When I fill up and try to "top off" to round off the cents, it'll gas tank overfills if I try to put any more than $0.15. Does this happen to other 05 T&C owners?
I was surprised to hear you say the seat sits to high in the DGC. I bought an SXT with power seat back in Dec. I am only 5' 6" with a 27"inseam and I have no problem reaching the peddles at all and mine are not adjustable. As a matter of fact, I find the seats in the DGC very comfortable.
I also don't mind the sound of the engine under full power. It gives a sound and feel of power.
As for head room in the second row seats, I find it has plenty for us. I also had a friend sit back there on a trip to Tucson and he never complained of head or leg room. He might have with leg room if I didn't have my seat up forward as he is 5'11".But I'm short so it gives the second row a lot more leg room.
But if you are finding that much fault with the Dodge and you haven't bought it yet.I would suggest you buy something else you'll like right from the start. I have had mine five months now and I couldn't be happier.
Rear seat headroom in all minivans is very generous, so how someone your height could have headroom problems is hard to imagine.
We have a 1996 Caravan without the benefit of a power seat and I at 5'7" and my wife at 5'4" have never had an issue with reaching the pedals.
The overall interior dimensions haven't changed much from the 1996 to the current vans, so it boggles the mind that this could be an issue with anyone.
At 82,000 miles our 1996 SE Sport with the 3.3 V-6 runs and rides just as nice as when it was new. Only when really jumping on the gas do you even hear much from the engine. At normal accelerating rates and at freeway speeds it is very quiet.
As far as the second row head room, when I sat up straight my head hit the curved part of the door/roof, which was the real culprit and not the height of the roof. The 3rd row was not a problem as it was far enough from the side.
I'm glad you guys enjoy your vans, I hope they'll continue to serve you well. I'll let you know what we'll end up getting. Cheers.
Wooo Hooo too!!! I just spent Saturday detailing my SXT..wheels, underhood, door jams and all!! it looks like new (well, it only has 3600 miles on it
Maybe the Stow-N-Go seats do not have the head and leg room of the regular DC minivans.
We just purchased a 2005 T & C and tried to put carseats in the middle set of seats. But, we could never get the shoulder belt to lock into place. When we pull the belt all the way out and wrap it through the child seat. The shoulder belt never locks as all my other cars I have owned have done. Is this normal? We had to go out and buy a seat that utilized the LATCH system. Please help!!