Hi All,

First of all, it's great to join these forums. Lot's of great info here! The reason for my joining is that I just purchased a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Express and wanted to ensure I'm taking excellent care of it out of the gate, to ensure it lives as long as possible.

A few questions:

1) Any concerns I should be aware of with the new Pentastar Engine? Transmission? Any other major part?

2) It only has 100 miles on it so far. Is there any "breaking in" driving I should be doing or is that not needed on new cars?

3) I've heard some folks perform the first oil change at 500 to 1k miles to remove any particulars from the new engine. Is this worth doing? What about the transmission fluid, should this be changed early as well?

4) What about a tranny cooler? Do these still suffer from overheated transmissions? If so, should I put one on out of the gate? If so, will this negatively impact my warranty in any way?

5) We purchased this car because we have 3 kids and need room. With the black interior, I'm afraid this is going to show all of the kids stains pretty easily. Is it worth scotch guarding the seats or are they pre-treated? What about seat covers?

If anyone can recommend some nice covers and fitted rubber floor mats, that would be great!

6) Any other general tips and tricks to keep this running long and looking nice? We plan to keep it until it dies, so any smart choices we can make now would be great!

Thanks!

 

Welcome, I have a 2011 also and what i did purchase was the dodge allweather floormats, these fit great and keep the carpet nice and clean.

 

Welcome! congratz on ur new Minivan.
floorwise, either OEM allweathermat or Weathertech mats/liner would be great for the long run.
As far as trans and Engine goes, Dodge is doing fairly well recently. Oil change every 3k, Trans fluid change every 30k, tune up every 100k, ur powertrain should be solid.
If you are willing to pay few more bucks, Sytheric oil will save u money in the long run. And they are more tolerate on slacking off oil change interval.

I wouldn't do anything to Engine and Trans as far as Waranty is still in play. and extra trans cooler shouldn't be necessary unless u r towing boats and trailers with it.

Seatcover wise, I believe there are Airbags in the seats, and Active restraint on head rest, u can't really use them. and then u got Stow n' GO seating, I am not sure seat cover is an Option.
Those scotch treatment are waste of money. You'll still have to clean ur car fairly often with 3 kids, LOL

Just buy some decent stain cleaner, it should be OK.
Wash and Wax once or twice a yr to keep Paint shiny is good idea.

keep it until it dies... that would be decades from now. These Minivan will last pretty long.

 

Hi, first time here.
I also just bought a 2011 Grand Caravan (in Canada). I got the basic model (with no added features including tinted windows) so am considering tinting the back 5 windows. Anyone know the % of VLT (visable light transfer) that would be recommended. I am on the coast, so do not get the searing summer temperatures/sun of interior or southern areas. The local tinting shop sez that most people use the 20% VLT tint, but it looks too dark for me.
I presume that there is SOME tint in every new vehicle anyway. Any recommendations?

The other item I am considering getting are those "air deflectors" that sit near the top of the door and allow you to open the window slightly without getting rain coming in.

Third, a "sunroof" is not available with this model, are there any recommended add-on sunroof/ air vents for the grand Caravan?
Many thanks, great forum!

 

When I bought my new GC 2011 it came with floor mats that have little hooks on them so they won't move around - the front driver and passenger ones, but the back ones are loose. I thought that was a good idea.

 

Usually tint shops have samples, how dark would be upon ur personal preference. Make sure u go to more reputable shops that offers lifetime waranty on their work!

Aftermarket moonroof wise, I do not recommend it. It only as good as the installer make it to be. I know shops that do their job as good as the factory does, I've also seen crappy installation that is just asking for waterleaks.

 

Thanks for the info, all.

I'm curious, are the weathertech or dodge floor mats superior in quality? What is the price difference like?

Also, any feedback on doing an early oil change?

 

Hi and good luck to the new owners! I've owned 2 GC's , since 2000 (had 80K when traded) and now a 2009 since new. Thoughts:

The 2000 never gave me a problem except front brakes at 25K miles which I had local guy replace (pads only). They lasted only 10K miles so I complained and he replaced (for $65) with heavy duty type pads that lasted till I traded. (so 3 sets total in 9 years/80K miles) Not terrible for mainly, stop & go driver like me.

The 2009 has been great except for 2 things:

REAR brakes kept squealing/overheating/grabbing at 14000 miles. Dealer replaced 1 caliper, then 2 weeks later, had to replace both calipers again, plus rotors and pads. Charged me only $85 for the pads which I used for 14K + miles already. Fair! No further problem.

Second issue: A/C has started to warm up intermittently, in VERY hot (+90* temps) lately. Going in for 2nd time soon. Low R-134? Bad expansion valve?

now:
I received letter from Chrysler : "front brakes pads/rotors calipers , have been given up to 36K mile extended warranty to all! ("hidden warranty" you better know about!! $50 or $100 deductible applies based on mileage) Hmmm... Glad to hear!

This is a good/reasonably priced ride. And doesn't have the hideous "crease" cut into rear side fender like the new Hondas/Toyotas do!) BUT I took the 6year/70K Extended Warranty (bumper to bumper). They asked $2100 at first. Said NO, didn't want it 5 times and finally said I "might take it for $500", laughingly. He gave it to me for $650!! WOW!

I bought Highland mats (CarId.com or Amazon). Stay away from front window vent/visors!! They block alot of vision (they're thick!) and I almost "greased" a guy standing on curb right in the blocked area. He walks out just as I rolled. Never saw him from 20 ft till he moved! Beware.......

Yes, oil/filter at 5K-6K even is fine with a syn-blended oil, for great protection. (full syntec OK too, after first 2K miles with original factory oil. (seats the seals better than syntec I hear?)

There is no airbag in the seat UNLESS you see a small tag, on the seat's seam, at about shoulder level, with SRS printed on it. My 2009 has them in the top. ceiling, side moldings, adjacent to where your head would be. Can't say for 2011.....

Good luck folks! Enjoy these beautiful minivans!

SD

 

The Wife and I just bought a 2011 Grand Cavaran Crew. We needed more room for the Grandkids and running down south (old farts you know!). I want to get OEM windshield sunshades - any DodgeForum sponsor's I should visit?

 

Smokin' Dodge, thanks for all the info.
It made me think, how many Carvans have I had in my life, anyway, and it looks like the 2011 is my fourth, and I keep vehicles a long time - - does that mean I'm getting old, or just expereinced? lol.
Love the remote key fob, dual AC controls, tons of storage space, very versitile van. I have had it only 2 weeks and have had my boat, drums, 5 people in it, but not at the same time!