Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2005+

dennisctc · October 2005

What a project!!! Pay the dealer $90 to install it!!!!!!!!

1) Instructions aren't too clear (all pics, no words)

2) you need a 25/64 drill bit to drill 4 holes for the mounting bracket. 25/64 is NOT a standard size, even Home Depot didn't carry it.

Overall it took me about 4 leisurely hours today to do.

It is a nice console though, there's a light for seeing deep down inside. Inside there's a pull handle to release it from the mounting base.

snorkelman · October 2005

It is October 2005 and I just bought a 2005 T&C and paid $15,700 (yes it was the base model). Im confident that I got a good deal, but I now want to take the best care possible.

Those of you who own a 2005 T&C please share any tips that you have learned.

For example, any tricks for maintenance? Oil changes for this particular vehicle?

Any specific experience for a break-in period for this particular vehicle?

Basically, anything that you wished that you knew when you first got your T&C. I bought mine on Sunday and it has 10 miles on it and I pick it up tomorrow.

Ive been reading a lot about excessive brake dust and someone posted if I experience this problem, to take it to the dealer before 12,000 miles. Why? Will they replace the break pads for free?

Thanks in advance for any tips and insight.

fish8 · October 2005

I also experience TONS of brake dust on my Wife's '05 T%C Touring. The dust is a byproduct of the pads. Not sure what the dealer is supposed to do to correct the dust "problem".

hansienna · October 2005

Drive conservatively first 300 to 500 miles. No jack rabbit starts and no squealing brake panic stops. Change oil and oil filter according to owner's manual. Transmission does NOT require any servicing for 100,000 miles with normal driving.
That is how the original owner drove and maintained the 2002 T&C LX I own and it feels like new.

Excessive brake pad dust is a DaimlerChrysler characteristic. However, one of my daughters did not have to replace brake pads until it had over 70,000 miles on her 1999 GC SE.
Congratulations on purchasing the least expensive minivan that will cost less to operate than any other minivan....while having more nice comfort features than minivans that cost $10,000 more to purchase new.

dschulze · October 2005

Is it normal on a 2005 Grand Caravan for the odometer to light up with the ignition off when the doors are opened?

It appears to be connected to the interior light circuit.

wesmoc · October 2005

Bah! Forgot about the steering wheel controls. Ugh.. Guess that now completely eliminates any idea of an aftermarket replacement for me.

Time to get that portable MP3 player and just plug it in to the aux inputs..

Supposedly the 2006 Town & Country has an MP3 capable version available. I inquired at the local dealership when we started having problems with the 6disc changer (to which they replaced), and they indicated (after a fair amount of searching on their end) that the MP3 capable replacement radio would run about $495.

I don't really have any other details.. sorry.

aaron_t · October 2005

Yes, that is normal. I don't think it is tied to the interior lights, though. I thought the odometer/trip meter goes off as soon as the door is closed, not after a delay like the courtesy lights.

hansienna · October 2005

YES it is normal as aaron stated. On my T&C the odometer light goes off as soon as the door is closed...not like the overhead lights. I like that feature on my 2002 T&C LX plus the delay turn off all lights. Can prevent having a dead battery. DC minivans have many nice, thoughtful convenience items and at prices more people can afford.

snorkelman · October 2005

When I bought my 2005 T&C I did not buy the extended warranty, but the salesman said that it is still available for up to 12 months after I buy the vehicle.

The more that I read these forums, the more I am considering getting some kind of extended coverage.

Basically my question is what is it that Chrysler offers, and is it any better than 1SourceAutoWarranty.com, or WarrantyDirect.com ?

One of the reasons that I ask is because I heard that many dealer warranties are essentially just a mechanical breakdown contract, which is not as good as wear & tear contracts (whereas I want both "wear & tear" AND "mechanical breakdown" coverage in my contract).

I also heard that most dealer warranties dont cover overheating.

Not always offer manufacturers warranty.

Additionally, Ive heard that car dealers often resell the extended warranty to you at 2 to 3 times what they paid, so they are nothing more than middle-men.

As an example, I received a quote from one of the above companies for a full bumper to bumper coverage for 84 months/100,000 miles with ZERO dollar deductible and it will cost me $1996.88. Of course I can get something less such as 48 month/100,000 miles with $100 deductible for $1437.

Am I better off buying one of these extended warranties or what the dealer offers?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

fish8 · October 2005

I would NEVER buy an extended warranty from a 3rd party company. I purchased an extended warranty for my wife's '05 Town and Country for around $1400. The warranty was 7 yr 85,000 mile with $100 deductible. I have heard bad experiences with 3rd party ext warranties.

Wear and Tear contracts? Never heard of this. I have heard of maintenance contracts, but never wear & tear. All ext warranties I have seen EXCLUDE wear and tear items. The prices you were quoted are no better than what the dealer quoted me for the same coverage and deductable. Remember, these contract are VERY NEGOTIABLE. I negotiated with my dealer and it wasn't too hard to get him to come down on the price. These contracts are very lucrative for dealers. Good luck.

lrobinson · October 2005

My wife's T&C limited has less than 10,000 miles on it but the tire pressure monitor reads 4 tires low. They reset the light and tell me that my pressure is fine the light goes off and lasts for a day or so then it comes back on.

Does anyone know what causes this or what can be done about it?

hansienna · October 2005

The original owner of my 2002 T&C LX got the DaimlerChrysler "Added Care" $100.00 Deductible Extended Warranty for 7 years 75,000 miles and paid $ 840. Six months later he got a direct mailing from DaimlerChrysler which quoted the price $1020.00 for exactly the same coverage.

Some dealers are NOT greedy.

BTW, I used the Extended Warranty last week to have the left front door power window repaired and paid the $100 deductible. Otherwise, it would have cost me $450. (It is $85 just to take the panel off and diagnose the problem....which is the most of the labor to repair it where needed).

shipo · October 2005

When my wife got her 2003 GC with the TPMS, it developed this same problem during the first fall. It seemed like the alerts would vary by how cold it was outside, meaning that the colder it was, the more tires it registered as low. I filled all of her tires to about 2 pounds above the recommendation and the problem went away. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

fish8 · October 2005

I had my wife's Van serviced about 3 weeks ago and they rotated and balanced the tires. Since then, the low tire pressure light as illuminated twice. It seems as though the right rear tire has a slow leak (26lbs last chk). I brought the van to a local shop and they couldn't find any nails in the tire. Each time I add air to the recommended pressure and light goes off. I probably need to be=ring the van to the dealer to have them look it over.

hansienna · October 2005

Sounds like a bad valve stem. :sick:

fish8 · October 2005

I would think so as well. I filled the tire up Friday to 35-36lbs and checked it last night and the pressure was the exact same. So, if in fact the valve was leaking, wouldn't the pressure steadily go down?

lastar · October 2005

I'm looking to buy a 2006. I need the tow package and these look identical although Dodge seems a little less expensive. Am I missing something as to why the Chrysler costs more?
Thanks for replying

dennisctc · October 2005

I believe the T&C comes with power rear hatch standard?? and some other minor things.

I have a 2005 with tow package that I use to pull my tent trailer/pop up RV....it's fantastic pulling it. I also have the power hatch, which I didn't really want but it was on lot that way.....and now I can't imagine life without it

hansienna · October 2005

Yes, the Touring comes with power liftgate standard while GC SXT does NOT. I can't find any other differences.
I have not wanted power sliding doors, power liftgate, Stow 'N Go 2nd row seats....probably because I have never had them.
I never missed the overhead console with compass/outside temp and trip computer but now I do not want a minivan without this feature. Same with dual zone temp control for driver and front passenger (Triple Zone with most GC and T&C as rear passenges get a third setting).
Remember how the smug owners of a Chrysler wannabee ridiculed the power liftgate as a "gimmick" when DaimlerChrysler introduced it? NOW, the power lift gate is highly acclaimed by owners of the Japanese brands that have it.
DaimlerChrysler has by far the best designed power sliding doors and I wonder why the others have not copied the design. :confuse:

lastar · October 2005

That's what I'll be pulling too, my Fleetwood pop up. What's the weight of yours and did you need to install the electric brakes on yours?

dennisctc · October 2005

I have a 2004 Coleman/Fleetwood MESA model....think it's 2700 lbs empty, but with 2nd propane tank, A/C unit, gear etc...I'm closer to 3500lbs+.

Definitely install electric brake controller!!! and a optional sway bar is amazing for control.

Try and get dealer to trade you harnesses though...the std harness with tow uses the old 4 pin connector, instead of the 7 pin USCar standard everyone uses these days. You can find the P/N on Mopar site!

My DCX tows like a dream....last camping trip of the year I took her to Holland State Park in Michigan (on Lake Michigan)....beautiful fall trip, cool weather, no AC needed while driving.....I got almost 20 mpg with van loaded up and camper too!! Then driving around Saugatuck/Holland area without camper I was getting 26mpg. Don't know of too many SUV that can get great mileage with all this space!!!

dennisctc · October 2005

If you're like me.....and dread backing up Minivan to hitch, this is what I do...

I have 3rd seat stowed and bach hatch opened. That way I can clearly see hitch and ball....very easy!!!!

aaron_t · October 2005

Touring has power liftgate ($400 option on SXT), Tire pressure monitoring ($70 option on SXT, and some minor trim/styling differences.

SXT has fog lights standard, Touring offers in an expensive package.

snorkelman · October 2005

"I would NEVER buy an extended warranty from a 3rd party company. I purchased an extended warranty for my wife's '05 Town and Country for around $1400. The warranty was 7 yr 85,000 mile with $100 deductible"

Well, it is not an extended warranty from a 3rd party. they are the actual warranty company. Many of the extended warranties offered at the dealership are not from the dealership and not from DCX, THEY are from a 3rd party.

Anyway, has anyone bought an extended warranty from the dealer with NO DEDUCTABLE for the same coverage and less cost than in my original post?

fish8 · October 2005

What???

" I Well, it is not an extended warranty from a 3rd party."

I have no idea what you are trying to say. An extended warranty simply means a warranty that "extends" beyond the factory 3/36 warranty.

By the term 3rd party, I mean that the warranty is provided by a company other than the auto manufacturer (e.g. Chrysler, Ford Toyota, etc etc). I would bet big money that if a car manufacturer offers an ext warranty product they would NOT offer a competing "3rd party" contract. I could be wrong, but it doesn't seem to make good financial sense. When i purchased the Chrysler ext warranty, they never offered any other brand except Chry product.

lastar · October 2005

I am comparing vehicles and was wondering how the FWD handles snowy street conditions.
Thanks

shipo · October 2005

I live in New Hampshire and my wife and I have two Dodge Grand Caravans, both FWD, a 1998 with ABS and without traction control, and a 2003 with both ABS and traction control. Assuming a decent set of tires (I have Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 215/65 R16 on both vans), both have proven to be extremely capable in very heavy snow situations, in spite of all of the hills and curves we have around here.

While I've never driven an AWD van in the snow, I do have a few opinions on the efficacy of AWD for this type of vehicle. Common belief would have it that AWD will impart superior braking, cornering and accelerating abilities to any and every vehicle so equipped. That is simply not true. In the acceleration department, AWD reigns supreme, however, due to the extra weight, AWD loses most if not all of its advantage when it comes to turning, and in the braking department, the FWD van should stop the shortest (once again due to its lighter weight).

Said another way, unless you need to routinely traverse a long grade (or driveway) with a 15% grade or more, I'd have a real difficult time understanding any justification for AWD.

Best Regards,
Shipo

aaron_t · October 2005

What do you drive now? How is it in the snow? How many years have you been driving in the snow w/o AWD?

masterpaul1 · October 2005

We bought a used 01 DGC EX back in September 2003 with 37K. (The 3 yrs/36K warranty had just expired.) We purchased an extended warranty for 3 yrs/75K for $1800 with a $100 deductible from the Daimlerchrysler dealership that we made our purchase from. (Which the extended warranty was not from a third party company). I know this for a fact since we paid the warranty in installments and our checks were made out to Daimlerchrysler warranty protection, or something like that. If you purchased the vechicle from another dealership, other than Daimlerchrysler, and purchased an extended warranty, then I can see that it might be through a third party company.

hansienna · October 2005

Did the extended warranty on the 01 GC EX extend it for an additional 3 years and an additional 75K miles? Was it called "Maximum Care" or "Added Care"? The Maximum Care is a more inclusive (and more expensive) warranty upgrade. Since the GC EX has power sliding doors and other extra options not on the T&C LX, it would cost more.
The original owner of my 02 T&C LX got an "Added Coverage" DaimlerChrysler warranty that covered most items for an additional 4 years and 39K miles with $100 deductible past the original 3 year 36K warranty for $ 840 at time of purchase of the 02 T&C. By purchasing the Added Coverage warranty, the original 7 year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty was transferrable to the next buyer with the Added Coverage warranty for a $ 150 Fee. Otherwise, the 7 year 100,000 powertrain warranty would have expired when original owner sold the van.

shipo · October 2005

I bought an extended warranty once, it didn't pay for itself. That was 1987, and since then I've avoided them like the plague. Now, 18 years, 8 cars (including two Grand Caravans) and more than 440,000 miles (>150,000 from the GCs) later I've still not accrued enough expense from unscheduled repairs to offset that single maintenance plan. Specific to the GCs, we've got 98,784 on the 1998 and 52,003 on the 2003 as of tonight and I've spent a total if $158 in unscheduled maintenance for the two vans combined. I'm thinking that even if both vans decide to lunch their transmissions tomorrow, I'd still be way ahead.

If I ever decide to start worrying about future unscheduled maintenance, I will simply put $2,000 into an account each time I purchase a new car, and then use that fund to draw against for said maintenance. Had I followed that plan since buying that car back in 1987, I would still have more than $14,000 in that account, not counting interest. Hmmm, "Self Insurance", it's not a new concept, corporate America discovered this decades ago.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dennisctc · October 2005

If I ever decide to start worrying about future unscheduled maintenance, I will simply put $2,000 into an account each time I purchase a new car, and then use that fund to draw against for said maintenance. Had I followed that plan since buying that car back in 1987, I would still have more than $14,000 in that account, not counting interest. Hmmm, "Self Insurance", it's not a new concept, corporate America discovered this decades ago.

EXCELLENT!!!!!! Anytime someone offers any kind of extended warranty....I decline it. So far no regrets!

masterpaul1 · October 2005

Did the extended warranty on the 01 GC EX extend it for an additional 3 years and an additional 75K miles? Was it called "Maximum Care" or "Added Care"? The Maximum Care is a more inclusive (and more expensive) warranty upgrade. Since the GC EX has power sliding doors and other extra options not on the T&C LX, it would cost more.

We have the "Maximum Care" warranty. Daimlerchrysler did not offer the 7 yrs/100K warranty until after our van was built. (Our van according to it's VIN didn't qualify for it). The Maximum Care warranty is bumper to bumper. If we would have bought it new, I would have not bought an extended warranty. But, because we bought it used and the original warranty expired, it made better since to buy the extended warranty. We paid cash for our van and 2K under the Kelly Blue Book Value. (At time of purchase, we paid close to 16K to which it was worth over 18K). So far we have used the warranty twice in our over 2 yrs of ownership and have put over 28K miles on it. Once for both front power window regulator motors, which cost just under $500 and second on some front suspension work which cost about $500. We replace the original manufacture battery at the dealership for about $100. (Battery went dead during an oil change). The gas cap needed to be replaced, which coast $12 for the gas cap and over $75 for the engine diagnostic. (I could have saved the $75, if I went to an auto parts store that read codes for free.) We spent $145 for a complete trans. flush and fill. Oil changes cost us $9 including toping off all fluids. Bought a new tire for $160 because of old tire had a hole in the sidewall that was not repair able. So our van has been very reliable and I am very pleased with the reliability and our purchase. Sometime in the near future, I will be changing both cargo door gas lifters, which will coast about $30-40 each. Outside of that, everything is working just like it should.

veritasusa · October 2005

greener1 - Could you please tell me what dealer you dealt with and where it is located? I want to refer my own dealer and my regional service manager to that dealer to get more information. All I have gotten so far is oozing concern for my satisfaction, but no concrete action. I may have to go to the head of Chrysler in America and let things trickle down from the top. Right now my 2005 Touring (one of the last 2005s built in June) is the noisest, coarsest, roughest riding piece of crap I have ever driven!

kfdmed · October 2005

It would seem to me that the noisiest, coarsest, rough riding piece of crap would have you running out out the dealership after a test drive ... not buying it.

veritasusa · October 2005

kfdmed - You state: "It would seem to me that the noisiest, coarsest, rough riding piece of crap would have you running out out the dealership after a test drive ... not buying it."

I test drove two similarly equipped T&Cs in the months before I bought this one. I test drove this one for 6 miles before buying it. The one drawback in the purchase was that the location of the dealer prevented me from easily getting out onto a highway. The nearest highway stretch is I-4 just North of Orlando and I don't go on that road at all!

The car was acceptably smooth and quiet when I bought it and for about 80 miles thereafter (half of that 80 was the 40 miles home - the dealer is not the closest to me, but the only one who had a car equpped reasonably close to the way I wanted.).

After the problem developed and after two service techs from the selling dealer had told me they could hear and feel nothing unusual, I went out with the service manager in both my car and another T&C Touring off the dealer lot. We took the same normal test loop I
took before buying. The other T&C was acceptably smooth and quiet in all respects, while mine made all the same sounds and demonstrated the same harshness it did on the roads close to home.

The service manager then tried to tell me that my car sounded quieter than the other car.!That's when I knew I would have to get the regional service manager involved. The owner of the selling dealership was out of the country when I visited, but I have talked with him on the phone since and get nothing but the same unctuous concern - but no action.

I bought my first new car (a 1959 Volvo PV544) in 1958, so I know enough to never buy anything before checking it out well.

Or were you merely being facetious?

kfdmed · October 2005

I suppose I was a being a bit facetious. I didn't realize the problems didn't surface until the odometer hit 80 miles. I must admit from time to time I seam to hear some strange faint noises that dont seem normal. I will point them out to my wife and she thinks I am hearing things. I may be overly sensitive/paranoid about noises coming from my vehicles. I do have a squeaking/clicking noise at cold start up. The service writer at the dealer said it was probably the valve lifters. He said it takes awhile for the oil to get up in there in these old fashioned push rod motors. If it persists I may leave it overnight at the dealer so they can hear it. But I am pretty sure I will get the "thats a normal noise, no need to be concerned" response.

vanbuyer2 · November 2005

I was hoping that current owners of 2005 T&C's could let me know how pleased (or not) they are with their purchase now that they have had their vans for a little while. I have noticed that 2005 seems to be a better year for the reliability ranking of this van. I am very interested in making a van purchase in the next few months and would appreciate the feedback.

Also, I really like the Limited model. Are there any Limited owners out there that care to comment on their van with respect to comfort, reliability, and features? Thanks for the input.

dennisctc · November 2005

Speaking from a DGC SXT perspective, I am very pleased with mine! Excellent price, excellent quality and value. This is sorta my 3rd Dodge, the previous 2 were company vehicles. I have never had any major problems with any of them (can't even think of a minor one!). I love the Stow N Go seats, quiet ride and power rear hatch (std on Limited T&C).

I'd hold off til end of year to buy though, DCX will have to bring back EP+, plus end of year cash etc....buyers expect it now.

hansienna · November 2005

GC SXT offers more nice features for less money than either the Odd EX or Sienna LE although I feel the GC SXT interior looks cheaper than the Sienna LE. The Sienna lacks separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger that is standard on GC SXT while Automatic separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger is standard on the Odd EX.
However, the Odd EX costs much more than the GC SXT or Sienna LE and does NOT have an overhead console that my wife and I love on our 2002 T&C LX.
We are disappointed that the 2006 GC SXT interior looks cheaper than the interior of our lesser 2002 T&C LX and DaimlerChrysler took off the heating coils at base of windshield, lighting on some door controls, dual lights on visors, Instant Economy reading from Trip Computer that are on our 02 T&C LX clone of the 02 GC Sport. :sick:

aaron_t · November 2005

I have a 2005 T&C Touring and put 8500 miles on it. it is my first minivan for my first kid. For the relative cost with similar features compared to Ody EX, Sienne XLE, I am very happy. I love all the standard features (power sliders/hatch, tri-zone HVAC, trip computer, StoNGo) and my single option, the front center console. No dealer visits.

I don't know how the 2005 can have a better reliability. There are only a few minor differences, like the tri-fold 2nd row storage covers that allow easier access to the bins. Pure random samples of customer ratings, and a limited set as well. 2006 DCX minivans have only been on the lots for 6 weeks.

I highly reoommend the Signature Series which is a bargain of a package, or the DGC Special Edition is similar w/o NAV. IMHO, both are better values than the T&C Limited. For November there is $3500 in rebates on 2006 models, $4k on 2005 models. Also, DCX employees have two of their employee prices to give out to anyone. If you can find an employee that has not given his away yet, you can save at least $3k off MSRP, minus any rebates. Some dealers in Detroit are offering $1k-2k additional off, dealer cash or selling below employee price. I saw an ad for 2006 T&C Touring for $19.5k, Signature for $23k.

dborash · November 2005

I read your posting and have a similar problem with my 2005 Town and Country. Rotors wear out every 4000 miles. The car is presently covered under warranty. We have replaced them three times already. The rotors wore out again at 17,000 miles for the fourth time in 16 months. Dealer said this problem is not under warranty. I am the only driver of this car and drive the same way I always have for the last 40 years and never had this type of problem with brakes in the past. The dealer is trying to say it is because of my driving habits that they wore out which is not the case. Are there others out there who are experiencing this type of problem with their Town and Country van? donnyb

hansienna · November 2005

Your dealer is NOT responsible. My 2002 T&C has original pads and rotors at 37,200 miles and my daughter's 1999 GC has original rotors at 82,000 miles. I do not know if she has even had to replace the pads yet.

dm3 · November 2005

We were debating between a GC SXT and a Sienna LE8 with package #2. We ended up spending $1500 less on the GC and it comes with more stuff including, dual power sliding doors (not just passenger side which isn't very useful), power liftgate, alloy wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes, traction control.
We owned a 2005 Sienna. I didn't think it bother me, but it just doesn't drive as well as the GC. The Sienna feels like a big lumbering van. We like the drivability of the GC much better.
And gas mileage has been better w the GC.

hansienna · November 2005

You also have separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger in the GC SXT that is NOT available on any Sienna LE.

My wife and I feel that the 2006 Sienna LE looks and feels more luxurious inside than the 2006 GC SXT and also has the Instant Economy reading on the trip computer that is on our 02 T&C LX but which has been taken off DC minivan trip computers the past few years. :sick:

dm3 · November 2005

I agree the Sienna interior looks and feels more luxurious. I also think the Sienna LE 8 passenger configuration is more flexible allows all sorts of seating options. The steering on the Sienna is also lighter which some folks might like better, might feel more luxurious. But to me it feels numb. I hate the brakes, not wild about the engine on the highway (very little spare torque) nor its gas mileage.
The Sienna has instant economy which the GC does not, but I haven't missed it. The instant economy was never useful around here, slight hills. It would always read 99 going downhill and 5 going uphill, too hard to average. Its easier to reset the mileage on the GC so I can average over whatever I want.

shipo · November 2005

Back in the 1980s when I lived in the Chicago area, I had two Chrysler products that had the Instant MPG setting on their trip computers. In that area I found them to be quite useful, at least from an intellectual curiosity point of view. When we got our 1998 GC Sport, it too had the Instant setting, however, since we lived in the NYC area, it proved to be largely useless. Now that I live in the rolling hills of southern New Hampshire, it is probably the only setting on the overhead display that I don't look at. As dm3 succinctly put it, 99 down and 5 up. Simply worthless. Needless to say, we don't miss that display mode on our 2003 GC ES.

Best Regards,
Shipo

hansienna · November 2005

Lack of Instant Economy reading and lack of lumbar support in driver seat of GC SXT will probably cause me to buy a 2006 Sienna LE instead of a 2006 GC SXT.

I always have my 02 T&C LX trip computer set on Instant Economy and scroll back and forth between it and the compass/outside temperature. ( I do check the overall average every hundred miles or so and at the end of the trip to compare with calculated mileage).
Travelling at night, the Instant Economy reading is the only way I know if I am going uphill or down. Uphill it can read anywhere from 13 to 25 MPG and downhill anywhere from 40 to 99 MPG. On the level (without wind) it fluctuates between 32 and 33 MPG at 65-66 MPH.
I am also disgusted with DC cheapening the minivans by deleting the lighted controls on the doors and heating coils at the base of the windshield that are contained on my bottom of the line 2002 Chrysler T&C LX. :sick:

samnoe · November 2005

I have my 2005 Grand Caravan for almost a year, and have about 11,000 miles. I like it a lot, but also have so many things to dislike. I had to replace my entire steering system due to a strange noises whenever I turned the steering wheel. I also hate that bulky big steering wheel, Which Chrysler uses in many of their lineup. Toyota's and Honda's steering wheels are smaller, giving you a better feel which is more sporty and easier to handle.

I also have some squeaks and rattles which drives me crazy, I just don't have the time to sit at the dealer to figure out where it comes from. Meanwhile, it drives me crazy.

I don't like the automatic temp. controls. Too complicated to use, especially these days when it's cold in the morning, getting hot during the day, and again cold at night, so I have to hold all 3 buttons (3-zones) about half a minute every time to move it from 85 fahrenheit to 60 and back and forth every time. I loved my older cars with manual controls which you just slide or turn a knob from red to blue and the change is done.

The controls are not the best, too many similar buttons on the audio system. I don't like the white gauges either. The car is much noisier than the 2003 T&C I drive at work. Mileage is also bad, 13.5 mpg average.

I do like the 8-way power seats, the outside temperature; the driver information center; turning radius; audio controls on the steering wheel are excellent; and some other minor things.

I still need back the old features from the pre-2002 models: illuminated controls for power door locks, windows, mirrors, and ignition key ring; lamps on the front doors, dual liftgate lamps (not one); windshield wiper de-icer; closable bins for the 3rd row; light in glove box; and more.

shipo · November 2005

"I don't like the automatic temp. controls. Too complicated to use, especially these days when it's cold in the morning, getting hot during the day, and again cold at night, so I have to hold all 3 buttons (3-zones) about half a minute every time to move it from 85 fahrenheit to 60 and back and forth every time. I loved my older cars with manual controls which you just slide or turn a knob from red to blue and the change is done."

Ummm, maybe I'm missing something, but we have one van with the old fashioned slide controls, one for the driver and one for the passenger, and another van which has the three zone climate control. Me? I'll take the three zone climate control any day.

I have to ask, why on earth are you fiddling around with the temperature settings at all? If you get in your car and it's cold inside, it will warm up to an interior setting of say 72 no faster with the display set on anything warmer than that same 72. Said another way, it will take just as long to hit 72 when the controls show 85 as it would if you just left it alone in the first place. The same also holds true if it's 110 inside and you have the system set at 70, just leave it alone (or enable Recirc mode) and drive.

Best Regards,
Shipo

Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2005+

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