never gave an SUV a thought socalawd.A minivan will do all I want it to. I can't see an SUV.
Yep the minivan is the most versitile vehicle!! Wish more people cound look past the minivan stigma. Really how many people use the increased ground clerance?? Or the towing capabilities?? I bet the 2008 DCX vans have all the options I wanted in a van maybe it will come with sport seats for those of us who like it firm! :P
Socalawd, I sure don't find any stigma in owning a minivan. I think it's a great choice. Unless your pulling something heavy, there is no real advantage of a SUV over a minivan. I think for many SUV owners, it's more that mocho feeling. Never using it to pull anything and not carrying more than a few people. Our vans can do what we bought them to do and do it cheaper, with less gas being used.
Ever stop to think if you bought a car with all the power equipment these vans have on them, what that car would cost? These things are a pretty good bargain for what you can get on them and what you can do with them.
I'll put my BLACK PEARLCOAT CHRYSLER VAN up against any other color out there, it is awesome looking with the black sunscreen glass, blackwall tires and shiny wheel rims, especially with the pearlcoat mixed in, some site on the web also stated same thing, but to each his own, and black is mine
Is the 2006 Chrysler a T&C LX or T&C Touring? I personally think a white GC SXT has THE most attractive exterior styling of any minivan now produced. An Ocean Mist Metallic Odyssey (light metallic blue)with the bluish tint gray cloth interior is more attractive inside but the GC SXT has the most attractive exterior.
"Socalawd, I sure don't find any stigma in owning a minivan. I think it's a great choice. Unless your pulling something heavy, there is no real advantage of a SUV over a minivan. I think for many SUV owners, it's more that mocho feeling. Never using it to pull anything and not carrying more than a few people. Our vans can do what we bought them to do and do it cheaper, with less gas being used."
tell that to my wife! She would not drive the minivan even though it's raining outside and I just spent two hours washing her car while the minivan is already dirty.
I'll put my BLACK PEARLCOAT CHRYSLER VAN up against any other color out there, it is awesome looking with the black sunscreen glass, blackwall tires and shiny wheel rims, especially with the pearlcoat mixed in, some site on the web also stated same thing, but to each his own, and black is mine
Well greener1. Go to my web sight and see a black pearlcoat Chrysler of my Sister's next to my white one and see if you still feel that way. I think that white is just beautiful.
Not sure you've had this problem, maybe it's just my situation...but the White is identical to the White BMW uses on their vehicles. My boss drives a BMW 745i and i can't count the times he's tried getting into my DCX GC SXT to go home at nights!!!! It certainly would be a step up from that 745i!!!
I think the black is very classy, especially with the dark tint windows. I will concede that dirt shows up easier, and it is not a good color choice for a hot climate.
Could it just be that different drivers obtain different MPG from their DCX or Odyssey's? Driver 1 who drives fast, accelerating away from stoplights to prove their manhood, only to be the first one at the next stop light. Or the one who floors it to merge onto the expressway only to have to brake because some driver in the right lane is driving slower than the posted speed limit? That driver is not likely to get the most MPG from either brand. On the other hand a driver 2 who accelerates at a reasonable rate away from a stoplight, not having to be the first one away, and adjusts their speed, slowing sometimes below the speed limit so as not to have to brake or stop at the next light. This person may even adjust their speed when merging so as not to have to brake as soon as the merge is completed. It really does not matter which brand of minivan driver 2 owns. They (driver 2)will probably get the best mileage from whichever van they drive. One poster said they once got 99MPG from their minivan. Well I did too (Instantaneous MPG when coasting with my foot off the gas, the readout only goes to 99 on a DCX) so that poster was right too.
Does anyone know how to remove the coin tray/drink holder? (2003 Ody but probably all the same) A important small document was sitting on mine and the tray was pushed in. Consequence.....important document either in back of or under coin tray.... Appreciate any input ....thanks george
"Could it just be that different drivers obtain different MPG from their DCX or Odyssey's?"
Yes.
"It really does not matter which brand of minivan driver 2 owns. They (driver 2)will probably get the best mileage from whichever van they drive."
No, I think it still matters. Van 'A' may simply be CAPABLE of better mileage, under the exact same driving conditions and driver inputs, than Van 'B'.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to assess (using owner anecdotal evidence) which vehicles would achieve better mileage under the exact same conditions.
But we do have a tool to assess this. EPA ratings. No, they may not be useful in determing the kind of mileage every owner can EXPECT because, as you've pointed out, we all drive differently. However, they may be useful to gauge which would get better mileage under the same conditions.
I despise white vehicles. There is almost no gloss to the paint, no shine. I prefer dark, metallic colors for vehicles. Light colors are fine for hot climates, but there are plenty of shades of silver, blue, green, even beige that are more attractive to me than white. anyway, color has nothing to do with Ody vs. DCX minis.
I have no idea what my T&C Touring would get for a full fuel tank @ 65mpg because I never want to drive that far at that speed. I get 24-25mpg with the cruise set in the 78-80mph range. My 35 mile each way commute on secondary and inner city freeways yields 21-222mpg and one particular stretch of about 13 miles of pretty well-timed traffic lights @ 55mph gets (according to the vehicle computer) 30mpg. I only track tank to tank, not whole life mileage. I have not noticed any change in mileage from mile 20 to mile 13500, except the weather. We like to idle our vehicles for several minutes in cold mornings, so actual milage while moving may not be off much compared to summer.
"But we do have a tool to assess this. EPA ratings. No, they may not be useful in determing the kind of mileage every owner can EXPECT because, as you've pointed out, we all drive differently. However, they may be useful to gauge which would get better mileage under the same conditions."
Exactly. The EPA results are not necessarily an indicator of real world fuel economy, but they should be comparable within the class. Even the EPA says as much on their website. Now if the tests are inconsistent, rigged or permit rampant cheating, that would be different.
Consumer Reports gets much lower numbers than the EPA but still rates the Odyssey as the most fuel efficient minivan (tied with Sienna overall). Motor Trend had different numbers, too, but also rated Odyssey above Sienna and Grand Caravan in its test. So did MotorWeek. I may not get the same as any of them, but it's a decent bet I would get the best mileage in an Odyssey, too.
For a minivan well over 4000 pounds, I'm not expecting to get the EPA numbers, but I do expect to get better than large SUVs with similar cargo and passenger capacity.
I always got better gas mileage on a trip with my 2002 T&C LX than the EPA ratings. Overall AVERAGE gas mileage of 22.4 MPG in the T&C with EPA ratings 18/24. Two long trips yielded 26.6 MPG and 28.2 MPG for each trip. My son always got LESS than EPA ratings on trips with his 2001 Ody EX. Does the "more performance oriented Odyssey engine and suspension" encourage Odyssey owners to drive faster and get lower gas mileage than the DaimlerChrysler minivans?
You are trying to draw conclusions based on two DIFFERENT drivers in different vehicles?
"Does the "more performance oriented Odyssey engine and suspension" encourage Odyssey owners to drive faster and get lower gas mileage than the DaimlerChrysler minivans?"
OR, does the 'more performance oriented Odyssey' simply attract drivers more likely to put their foot in it while the less performance oriented DCS vans attract drivers less likely to drive quickly?
"My son always got LESS than EPA ratings on trips with his 2001 Ody EX."
You'd have to ask yourself if you believe anecdotal reports under varying conditions over large scale averages or controlled tests using closely matched conditions.
Some people will swear off the most reliable models because they had a bad experience personally or in the family. Nothing wrong with that, unless you extrapolate that to claim there is some sort of widespread problem that isn't otherwise supported. For example, I have 3 neighbors that own previous generation Siennas that all had major transmission problems. Is that meaningful?
I've already been there with him. I always got 26-27mpg when I drove our Odyssey to the beach (often), but when dad drove it, we got closer to 23mpg. I tend to hold my speed steady, usually about 10% over the posted limit (77MPH was about right for me in a 70 zone). Dad, on the other hand, would zip down the fast lane for a while at 85, then cool it in the right lane, then gun it and get back in the left lane again.
Dad drives me nuts in the car...I wish he would PICK SOMETHING!
My point, is that two different drivers will get different results, even if on the same route.
Congratulations. You are a MUCH better driver than your dad. On the average, my experience has been that parents normally drive more conservatively than do their children when children are ages 17 to 27 and parents ages are 37 to 47. Most people start driving more conservatively after late 20's. At the other extreme, it bugs me to get behind slow drivers who drive at a speed less than the posted speed limit.
My point, is that two different drivers will get different results, even if on the same route. Not even different drivers. The Odyssey is setup so that it can get good mileage. It is also set up to go like a rocket. Depending on ones moods the mileage can vary significantly. I have even noticed on a long trip with many rest stops, how quickly you accelerate to get back on the Highway can affect your mileage. A leisurely 0-60 in 12-14 seconds vs. a getting on it 0-60 in 8 seconds or so performed every 50 miles over a days driving will affect your mileage.
I have even noticed on a long trip with many rest stops, how quickly you accelerate to get back on the Highway can affect your mileage
Likewise.
It meant the difference in 35 mpg and 36 mpg with me in my Accord(same temps, same road in both directions, but on my way home I dropped down a gear or two more often when passing, merging, or blending with traffic.)
We wrecked our Dodge caravan last week 35mph on a on ramp 2 cars stopped right in front of us. We the suv in front of us my daughter who is 12 was badly hurt because her shoulder strap did not catch. Front catches fine me and her dad were not hurt at all she suffered a concussion blood from eye nose and mouth when her face slammed the back of drivers seat, the next day we went back to look at our van I notice jerk the front shoulder straps they catch perfect jerk the rear NONE will catch, just a warning to ya hope no one has to go through what we did. She is doing better now! Thank God! We bought a Kia today 5 star front 5 star side crash rating with ALL catching seatbelts! JUST TRY BELTS FOR YOURSELF you will see on any caravan or durango is the same. REAR dont catch front does.
Sorry to read about your daughter's injuries. We have never been in an accident with our T&C and no one I know has had an accident in a DaimlerChrysler minivan. I'll have to check the safety belts in our T&C LX. Did you get a Sedona LX or EX? 2005 or 2006? Please post your experience on the Minivan Shopping forum or in Kia Sedona forum.
It doesn't have 4 captains chairs only a bench but a nice one so far I just love it my daughter said "LOOK mom they catch the FIRST time"! the seatbelts when you jerk them that is. Who would ever think about stuff like that I sure didn't.
When installing my childrens carseats I actually noticed the shoulder belts DO NOT catch when pulled. We used the LATCH system, so the seats are secure. I called the dealer and they said the seatbelts are designed that way. Can soneone please tell me why? It is the first car we have owned that has seatbelts in the rear that don't catch.
The first (an inertia reel) WILL lock the seatbelts when the webbing is pulled out quickly (jerking the belt).
The SECOND TYPE (pendulum lock) will NOT lock the seatbelts when webbing is pulled out quickly. It has a small pendulum in the mechanism which swings forward when the VEHICLE rapidly decelerates under hard braking or an accident and locks the seatbelt.
Again, you CANNOT test this type of mechanism by jerking on the belt. Jerking on the belt will tell you NOTHING about whether or not they are functioning correctly.
If you've tested the belts in all seating positions in the 2nd and 3rd row by jerking them, and all the vehicles on the lot don't catch by jerking them, and everybody with a DCX van runs out and tests their belts by jerking them, and NONE of them catch, don't you think it MIGHT BE because they are of a different design?
When installing my childrens carseats I actually noticed the shoulder belts DO NOT catch when pulled. We used the LATCH system, so the seats are secure. I called the dealer and they said the seatbelts are designed that way. Can soneone please tell me why? It is the first car we have owned that has seatbelts in the rear that don't catch.
I haven't tested in the newer Dodges, but I know the Ody rear belts will lock when installing car seats. To activate, you pull the seatbelt strap out all the way, then as it retracts it locks. This is designed specifically for carseats. You can then push hard on the carseat and retract the seatbelt to lock it down tight. My Silverado and new Tundra work the same way. Sometimes LATCH works better, but sometimes it doesn't. Depends on quite a few factors. Plus LATCH has a weight limit, 65# I believe.
Most will NOT lock by just yanking on the straps, they have the pendelum type locking systems which only activates during rapid deceleration. This is a superior system over the old yank/lock inertia seatbelts.
The Odyssey also has pretensioners on the front seats.
"To activate, you pull the seatbelt strap out all the way, then as it retracts it locks. This is designed specifically for carseats."
Yep. My Celica is the same way (and it's a LOT of fun putting two carseats in the back of a Celica ). Pull the belt out ALL THE WAY and then let it retract with the belt threaded through the carseat. It will lock in place (I put a knee in the bottom of the carseat shoving it down and taking as much slack out of the belt as possible).
I'll try to remember to jerk on the belts in our Odyssey when I get home but I don't recall them EVER locking up when moving around too quickly in the seat so I imagine they're probably the pendulum-type of belts.
Yeah, my 2004 Passat has locking seatbelts. It would make me feel a little more comfortable if the T&C's seatbelts locked, but...we'll rely on the latch system for now.
Will temp409 now stop trying to freak everyone out now? I doubt it. My Olds intrigue has the locking belts my T&C doesnt. I Use a locking clip for one car seat and the other is in a booster. I know my kids are much safer in the T&C with the non locking seatbelts than they are in the intrigue with locking belts.
"I know my kids are much safer in the T&C with the non locking seatbelts than they are in the intrigue with locking belts."
Most modern vehicles have seatbelt systems that can safely restrain child passengers if used correctly. Unless one simply doesn't work well with a particular child restraint, of course.
Every modern passenger car has a system to lock its shoulder belts for adults, unless there is a defect, of course. Also, since model year 1996, most vehicles are required to have some method to lock the lap belt section of rear seatbelts to secure child restraints. As Rorr said, there are various methods that are used to lock seatbelts.
Some retractors lock only in a crash, either with a mechanism that responds to deceleration or one that responds to a sudden pull on the belt. The former is difficult to test, though it might be possible in during a sudden stop. The latter is easier to test with a tug. Both these will restrain a passenger and respond quickly in a crash. Others go a step farther and allow you to switch the shoulder belt to a manually locked mode, usually by pulling the belt all the way out first. These switchable retractors can often take the place of a locking clip.
Other seatbelts have a more "old fashioned" latch plate that cinches the belt. The "GM" type are usually a bit bigger and cinch pretty well- these are the style that have been used for decades in many vehicles. Chrysler often uses a "lightweight" locking latchplate that tend to loosen over time.
Depsite the large variety of seatbelt systems on the market, all are required to secure an adult or a child seat in a crash. Some do work better than others, of course. Vehicles older than 1996 may require a locking clip to secure a child seat, but will still lock in a crash to restrain an adult.
Latchplates and retractors can break or be defective, just like any part of a vehicle. It's not common, but it does happen. We've seen a number of 20 year old vehicles at carseat events that have broken seatbelts.
Could not find a good answer to this problem of my climate control blower running on high even when the climate control was turned off. I found the solution through my own research. The control module went bad. This used to be called a resistor pack. Now there are no resistors in it, but only a solid state silicone FET. It is located behind the glove box. Simply open glove compartment and make it swing all the way down by squeezing in on the sides. You will see the module attached to plenum with two plugs connected. Unscrew the two 8mm screws to get module out. New part number from dealer is 5179985AA. The original module part number has been discontinued. If you know somebody electrically inclined, they can fix the old one by replacing the power FET on circuit board.
ALL 6 shoulder straps of the odyssey catch first jerk so does- Toyota sienna's- Which I loved the best but at $30,000-I can't afford it. Dodge & Toyota rode the best then Kia, then Honda Odyssey rode the worse. I chose Kia because of the working seatbelts good price 16,500 plus excellent warranty. So you can see- I have MOVED ON down the road with my working seatbelts, I just wish all little children could have the same. If every van I tested seatbelts work on the first jerk why don't the Dodge caravan do the same? Also I did post at the NHTSA- office of defects Investigation-- on 3/11/2006.
They all have 7 shoulder straps now, I believe (Our 2000 model Ody did, so I'd imagine other brands do by now, too).
BTW, does the 8th seat have a shoulder strap in the 2005 Ody? I have never bothered to look in my aunt's. I'll see her tomorrow, so if nobody knows, i can report!
They all have 7 shoulder straps now, I believe (Our 2000 model Ody did, so I'd imagine other brands do by now, too).
The DCX vans have a lap belt in the third row center. I consider it a 6 passenger vehicle.
BTW, does the 8th seat have a shoulder strap in the 2005 Ody? I have never bothered to look in my aunt's. I'll see her tomorrow, so if nobody knows, i can report!
Yes it does!! The seat is pretty comfy too lots of leg room, but the head rest is too low. The DCX van has no head rest in middle of third row.
I have MOVED ON down the road with my working seatbelts, I just wish all little children could have the same. If every van I tested seatbelts work on the first jerk why don't the Dodge caravan do the same?
As stated there are different kinds of seat belts. The front row in the Ody and DCX have pretensors(pulls the belt tight) with force limiters(only alows so much force on the body)The rear belts do not. So maybe the belt wasn't tight on your child or that one belt was defective. I don't think this is a problem with all DCX rear seatbelts. Hope your girl is doing fine!
You can jerk all belts in sienna, all in odessy, all in winstar, and all in kia vans and they- ALL- catch in front AND rear seats but in the mini van world the ones that almost killed my daughter the ONLY ones that DONT catch when you jerk them (Dodge caravan)why do you think they are ok when Im telling you THEY DONT CATCH ? What ever it is in them it DONT CATCH when you jerk and it WONT CATCH when you wreck why keep defending a faulty rear catching mechanism? The FRONT hold fine when you jerk me and her dad were not hurt at all then test for yourself jerk the rear somthing is wrong. THE REAR ONES DONT CATCH. JUST TRY them for yourself. Dont learn the hard way like us!
"How come you ignore the fact that there are 2 different kinds of mechanisms, one of which will not catch when you jerk it?"
Good question. The other type uses a weighted pendulum to lock the belt and responds to sudden vehicle deceleration (or steep inclines), rather than a sudden pull on the seatbelt itself. Both types lock the shoulder belt in a typical crash if they are not broken or defective, though one is clearly easier to test.
Can we ban you yet? You clearly have not moved on and ignore facts. You do not have root cause to the problem in your 5 year old van. You've said your peace in several threads in Town Hall. Please drop it.
an we ban you yet? You clearly have not moved on and ignore facts. You do not have root cause to the problem in your 5 year old van. You've said your peace in several threads in Town Hall. Please drop it.
When did facts have anything to do with this forum?? I think this story does tell us to be more careful driving(hitting someone that hard on a on ramp??)and to make sure our children are properly belted in. Thier may be a issue with the belt but I think thats a longshot!
You ignore the facts that you can go test for yourself- ALLL minivan seatbelts Kia sedonna- toyota sienna- ford winstar-honda odyessy work first jerk FRONT AND REAR- dont take my word for it try for yourself--EXCEPT the Dodge caravan where rear will not catch. Which my daughter was hurt by PROPERLY wearing her belt. What are the odds there is something not wrong there. ALL Dodge caravans I tested are exacly the same front catches perfect- rear DONT. Its just a faulty rear catching mechanism. AND yes I do realize some belts don't apply with the jerk test but also Dodge is the ONLY minivan that fails the jerk test of ALL the mini vans that Ive tried. Its not the first seatbelt issue with DaimlerChrysler go unsafebelts.com and read about it. Talked to Daimlerchrysler today they are calling back tomorrow.
The FACT you are ignoring is that fact that: and I repeat (from a forum earlier) TUGGING ON A SEATBELT PROVES NOTHING AS FAR AS SAFETY GOES .
I don't work for Dodge, and I don't own a Dodge; in fact, I drive one of their competing makes; a Honda. It would be wrong of me to agree with you, though, because it the failure to pass a "tug-and-lock" test means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.NOTHING temp409, NOTHING.
Host, can we have a little help as far as reviving this dying forum b/c of one dead horse bringing it down?
For those of you just joining us, here's the information that has been reported numerous times over the past several days:
*Temp409's daughter was injured in a crash. She attributes this to faulty seatbelts in her Caravan. *Her rear seat belts did not catch on the first jerk. *The effectiveness of seatbelts cannot always be tested by jerking, as they employ different mechanisms for catching. *The catching mechanism employed by the rear seatbelts in her Caravan is unknown. *She has filed a complaint with the NHTSA and has contacted Chrysler to begin an investigation. *The seatbelts on her Kia pass the jerk test and she is happy with her current vehicle.
Now, unless there's something NEW to add to the seatbelt issue, it bears no further mention here. Let's get back to the topic, which is Honda Odyssey vs. Chrysler minivans. I'll be removing any further rehashing of this issue from this point forward.
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Comments
Yep the minivan is the most versitile vehicle!! Wish more people cound look past the minivan stigma. Really how many people use the increased ground clerance?? Or the towing capabilities?? I bet the 2008 DCX vans have all the options I wanted in a van maybe it will come with sport seats for those of us who like it firm! :P
Ever stop to think if you bought a car with all the power equipment these vans have on them, what that car would cost? These things are a pretty good bargain for what you can get on them and what you can do with them.
I personally think a white GC SXT has THE most attractive exterior styling of any minivan now produced. An Ocean Mist Metallic Odyssey (light metallic blue)with the bluish tint gray cloth interior is more attractive inside but the GC SXT has the most attractive exterior.
tell that to my wife! She would not drive the minivan even though it's raining outside and I just spent two hours washing her car while the minivan is already dirty.
You are 100% correct.....the White DCX GC SXT with ingot wheels is the coolest by far. Feel free to check out mine, on my carspace
Well greener1. Go to my web sight and see a black pearlcoat Chrysler of my Sister's next to my white one and see if you still feel that way. I think that white is just beautiful.
http://www.carspace.com/marine2
(2003 Ody but probably all the same)
A important small document was sitting on mine and the tray was pushed in. Consequence.....important document either in back of or under coin tray.... Appreciate any input ....thanks george
Yes.
"It really does not matter which brand of minivan driver 2 owns. They (driver 2)will probably get the best mileage from whichever van they drive."
No, I think it still matters. Van 'A' may simply be CAPABLE of better mileage, under the exact same driving conditions and driver inputs, than Van 'B'.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to assess (using owner anecdotal evidence) which vehicles would achieve better mileage under the exact same conditions.
But we do have a tool to assess this. EPA ratings. No, they may not be useful in determing the kind of mileage every owner can EXPECT because, as you've pointed out, we all drive differently. However, they may be useful to gauge which would get better mileage under the same conditions.
I have no idea what my T&C Touring would get for a full fuel tank @ 65mpg because I never want to drive that far at that speed. I get 24-25mpg with the cruise set in the 78-80mph range. My 35 mile each way commute on secondary and inner city freeways yields 21-222mpg and one particular stretch of about 13 miles of pretty well-timed traffic lights @ 55mph gets (according to the vehicle computer) 30mpg. I only track tank to tank, not whole life mileage. I have not noticed any change in mileage from mile 20 to mile 13500, except the weather. We like to idle our vehicles for several minutes in cold mornings, so actual milage while moving may not be off much compared to summer.
Exactly. The EPA results are not necessarily an indicator of real world fuel economy, but they should be comparable within the class. Even the EPA says as much on their website. Now if the tests are inconsistent, rigged or permit rampant cheating, that would be different.
Consumer Reports gets much lower numbers than the EPA but still rates the Odyssey as the most fuel efficient minivan (tied with Sienna overall). Motor Trend had different numbers, too, but also rated Odyssey above Sienna and Grand Caravan in its test. So did MotorWeek. I may not get the same as any of them, but it's a decent bet I would get the best mileage in an Odyssey, too.
For a minivan well over 4000 pounds, I'm not expecting to get the EPA numbers, but I do expect to get better than large SUVs with similar cargo and passenger capacity.
Does the "more performance oriented Odyssey engine and suspension" encourage Odyssey owners to drive faster and get lower gas mileage than the DaimlerChrysler minivans?
"Does the "more performance oriented Odyssey engine and suspension" encourage Odyssey owners to drive faster and get lower gas mileage than the DaimlerChrysler minivans?"
OR, does the 'more performance oriented Odyssey' simply attract drivers more likely to put their foot in it while the less performance oriented DCS vans attract drivers less likely to drive quickly?
Which came first: the chicken or the egg?
You'd have to ask yourself if you believe anecdotal reports under varying conditions over large scale averages or controlled tests using closely matched conditions.
Some people will swear off the most reliable models because they had a bad experience personally or in the family. Nothing wrong with that, unless you extrapolate that to claim there is some sort of widespread problem that isn't otherwise supported. For example, I have 3 neighbors that own previous generation Siennas that all had major transmission problems. Is that meaningful?
Dad drives me nuts in the car...I wish he would PICK SOMETHING!
My point, is that two different drivers will get different results, even if on the same route.
Most people start driving more conservatively after late 20's. At the other extreme, it bugs me to get behind slow drivers who drive at a speed less than the posted speed limit.
Not even different drivers. The Odyssey is setup so that it can get good mileage. It is also set up to go like a rocket. Depending on ones moods the mileage can vary significantly. I have even noticed on a long trip with many rest stops, how quickly you accelerate to get back on the Highway can affect your mileage. A leisurely 0-60 in 12-14 seconds vs. a getting on it 0-60 in 8 seconds or so performed every 50 miles over a days driving will affect your mileage.
Likewise.
It meant the difference in 35 mpg and 36 mpg with me in my Accord(same temps, same road in both directions, but on my way home I dropped down a gear or two more often when passing, merging, or blending with traffic.)
Did you get a Sedona LX or EX? 2005 or 2006?
Please post your experience on the Minivan Shopping forum or in Kia Sedona forum.
I have posted this a number of times but you seem to be ignoring it: YOU CAN'T TEST ALL SEATBELTS BY JERKING ON THEM.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/seatbelt3.htm
There are TWO types of lock mechanisms:
The first (an inertia reel) WILL lock the seatbelts when the webbing is pulled out quickly (jerking the belt).
The SECOND TYPE (pendulum lock) will NOT lock the seatbelts when webbing is pulled out quickly. It has a small pendulum in the mechanism which swings forward when the VEHICLE rapidly decelerates under hard braking or an accident and locks the seatbelt.
Again, you CANNOT test this type of mechanism by jerking on the belt. Jerking on the belt will tell you NOTHING about whether or not they are functioning correctly.
If you've tested the belts in all seating positions in the 2nd and 3rd row by jerking them, and all the vehicles on the lot don't catch by jerking them, and everybody with a DCX van runs out and tests their belts by jerking them, and NONE of them catch, don't you think it MIGHT BE because they are of a different design?
I haven't tested in the newer Dodges, but I know the Ody rear belts will lock when installing car seats. To activate, you pull the seatbelt strap out all the way, then as it retracts it locks. This is designed specifically for carseats. You can then push hard on the carseat and retract the seatbelt to lock it down tight. My Silverado and new Tundra work the same way. Sometimes LATCH works better, but sometimes it doesn't. Depends on quite a few factors. Plus LATCH has a weight limit, 65# I believe.
Most will NOT lock by just yanking on the straps, they have the pendelum type locking systems which only activates during rapid deceleration. This is a superior system over the old yank/lock inertia seatbelts.
The Odyssey also has pretensioners on the front seats.
Yep. My Celica is the same way (and it's a LOT of fun putting two carseats in the back of a Celica
I'll try to remember to jerk on the belts in our Odyssey when I get home but I don't recall them EVER locking up when moving around too quickly in the seat so I imagine they're probably the pendulum-type of belts.
Most modern vehicles have seatbelt systems that can safely restrain child passengers if used correctly. Unless one simply doesn't work well with a particular child restraint, of course.
Every modern passenger car has a system to lock its shoulder belts for adults, unless there is a defect, of course. Also, since model year 1996, most vehicles are required to have some method to lock the lap belt section of rear seatbelts to secure child restraints. As Rorr said, there are various methods that are used to lock seatbelts.
Some retractors lock only in a crash, either with a mechanism that responds to deceleration or one that responds to a sudden pull on the belt. The former is difficult to test, though it might be possible in during a sudden stop. The latter is easier to test with a tug. Both these will restrain a passenger and respond quickly in a crash. Others go a step farther and allow you to switch the shoulder belt to a manually locked mode, usually by pulling the belt all the way out first. These switchable retractors can often take the place of a locking clip.
Other seatbelts have a more "old fashioned" latch plate that cinches the belt. The "GM" type are usually a bit bigger and cinch pretty well- these are the style that have been used for decades in many vehicles. Chrysler often uses a "lightweight" locking latchplate that tend to loosen over time.
Depsite the large variety of seatbelt systems on the market, all are required to secure an adult or a child seat in a crash. Some do work better than others, of course. Vehicles older than 1996 may require a locking clip to secure a child seat, but will still lock in a crash to restrain an adult.
Latchplates and retractors can break or be defective, just like any part of a vehicle. It's not common, but it does happen. We've seen a number of 20 year old vehicles at carseat events that have broken seatbelts.
If you know somebody electrically inclined, they can fix the old one by replacing the power FET on circuit board.
They all have 7 shoulder straps now, I believe (Our 2000 model Ody did, so I'd imagine other brands do by now, too).
BTW, does the 8th seat have a shoulder strap in the 2005 Ody? I have never bothered to look in my aunt's. I'll see her tomorrow, so if nobody knows, i can report!
The DCX vans have a lap belt in the third row center. I consider it a 6 passenger vehicle.
BTW, does the 8th seat have a shoulder strap in the 2005 Ody? I have never bothered to look in my aunt's. I'll see her tomorrow, so if nobody knows, i can report!
Yes it does!! The seat is pretty comfy too lots of leg room, but the head rest is too low. The DCX van has no head rest in middle of third row.
As stated there are different kinds of seat belts. The front row in the Ody and DCX have pretensors(pulls the belt tight) with force limiters(only alows so much force on the body)The rear belts do not. So maybe the belt wasn't tight on your child or that one belt was defective. I don't think this is a problem with all DCX rear seatbelts. Hope your girl is doing fine!
Good question. The other type uses a weighted pendulum to lock the belt and responds to sudden vehicle deceleration (or steep inclines), rather than a sudden pull on the seatbelt itself. Both types lock the shoulder belt in a typical crash if they are not broken or defective, though one is clearly easier to test.
http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/seatbelts.html
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/seatbelt3.htm
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/autos/articles/backyard/story/2417871p-2796133c- .html
When did facts have anything to do with this forum?? I think this story does tell us to be more careful driving(hitting someone that hard on a on ramp??)and to make sure our children are properly belted in. Thier may be a issue with the belt but I think thats a longshot!
I don't work for Dodge, and I don't own a Dodge; in fact, I drive one of their competing makes; a Honda. It would be wrong of me to agree with you, though, because it the failure to pass a "tug-and-lock" test means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. NOTHING temp409, NOTHING.
Host, can we have a little help as far as reviving this dying forum b/c of one dead horse bringing it down?
*Temp409's daughter was injured in a crash. She attributes this to faulty seatbelts in her Caravan.
*Her rear seat belts did not catch on the first jerk.
*The effectiveness of seatbelts cannot always be tested by jerking, as they employ different mechanisms for catching.
*The catching mechanism employed by the rear seatbelts in her Caravan is unknown.
*She has filed a complaint with the NHTSA and has contacted Chrysler to begin an investigation.
*The seatbelts on her Kia pass the jerk test and she is happy with her current vehicle.
Now, unless there's something NEW to add to the seatbelt issue, it bears no further mention here. Let's get back to the topic, which is Honda Odyssey vs. Chrysler minivans. I'll be removing any further rehashing of this issue from this point forward.
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