Just picked up a 2010 Grand Caravan Hero with the 6 speed auto and 3.8 liter engine. I traded in a 2005 Grand Caravan with the 3.3 liter and 4 speed auto. I noticed the 6 speed in the Hero has no dipstick to check the fluid level and says "dealer only" on what looks like an access port to the tranny. My old 2005 had a dipstick. Is this a new trend and are these transmissions "sealed" and maintenance free? Do I have to ever inspect or change the fluid? Or am I missing something? Thanks for the help.

 

you can inspect and change the fluid it may be sealed but not rocket science
you will have to locate the threaded plugs to drain and fill one will be higher than the other (the low 1 for draining, and the higher 1 for filling)
just like a transfer case or a diff

 

Wrong, hemi breath! There is no way to tell if the fluid is at the right level. There is a dipstick tube, just not the dipstick. I'm sure they have one in the service department at the local stealer, but why should I have to take it to them to get it checked? How would you like having to take any of your vehicle in? This is bull****.

 

GM cars use the sight plug deal.

On these some special DRB dipstick is required. LAME!!!

I already decided, we won't be ever buying on of these vans with the 6speed. I did see an 09 GCV with a 3.3 and the old 604 trans. That might be the next van in the house.

 

Yep Sucks that these guys do this but i think chryler may be opening a can of worms cause if they get lots of complaints about oh how we supposed to know the level and no dip stick. just takes one to sue and get it recalled which sounds to be a bad thing in long run.

 

Blame Mercedes Benz for this BS, $30K+ car and they can't give you a $10 Dip stick.
You can order a Dip Stick Separately for $50 from Miller Tool.

But honestly, Why do you need a Dip Stick? GM went away with Drain and Fill Hole on some models. So did some of the Ford Trans.

Maintainence free and Life Time Fluid? I guess you don't expect the Car to live that long... By the time you Hit 60K, ur Fluid will look like Coffee.

 

Its built in obsolescence. VW, BMW, Mercedes, and many more have gone to sealed lifetime fluids in auto tranny's. Its a numbers game. A high percentage of these cars will make it to 100k with no fluid change and still operate OK. After that mileage, the manufacturer doesn't give a rip and they feel as though they have done their duty! They say "BUY A NEW CAR!" It's all BS!! Its the damn bean counters running these companies. SUCK SUCK SUCK!!

 

You can buy the dip stick that the dealer uses, You buy them thru the dealer or on ebay. Thats how i got mine for the minivan and sprinters.