automatic transmission DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2006 Owner's Manual

CAUTION!Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transmission
can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transmission after checking or
replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap
is reseated properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid should be changed on all
transmissions as follows:
Normal Usage — No change necessary
Severe Usage (fluid and filter) — Refer to Maintenance
Schedule “ B ” Severe Usage is defined as:
• Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is driven regularly for
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE: Refer to Section 8 of this manual for Mainte-
nance Schedules.
If the transmission is disassembled for any reason, the
fluid and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
Do not add any fluid additives to the transmission. The
only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes to
aid in detecting fluid leaks. The use of transmission
sealers should be avoided as they may adversely affect
seals. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427
7

Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.
Automatic Transmission Mopar  ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder Mopar  DOT 3, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended
brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir Mopar  ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445
7

• Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the exhaust system. • Inspect the brake hoses.
• Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
• Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
• Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.450 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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SCHEDULE “ B ”
Follow schedule “ B ” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an  .
• Day or night temperatures are below 32 ° F(0 ° C).
• Stop and go driving.
• Extensive engine idling. • Driving in dusty conditions.
• Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
• More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90 ° F (32 ° C).
• Trailer towing. 
• Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice). 
• Off-road or desert operation. SCHEDULE “ B ” 451
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Miles 57, 000 60, 000 63, 000 66, 000 69, 000 72, 000
(Kilometers) (95 000) (100 000) (105 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X XXXX
Rotate Tires X X X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if necessary. * X XXXX
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X
Replace the spark plugs on 2.4 liter engines. X
Replace the ignition cables on 2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt tension
on 2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter engines, replace if
necessary. X
Inspect the PCV valve and replace if necessary.* X
Inspect the serpentine drive belt on 3.3 liter and 3.8 liter
engines, replace if necessary. X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.  X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X SCHEDULE “ B ” 455
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Miles 108, 000 111, 000 114, 000 117, 000 120, 000
(Kilometers) (180 000) (185 000) (190 000) (195 000) (200 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Rotate Tires X X X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if necessary. * X X X X
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X
Replace the spark plugs on 2.4 liter engines. X
Replace the ignition cables on 2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt tension on
2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter engines, replace if
necessary. X
Inspect the serpentine drive belt on 3.3 liter and 3.8 liter
engines, replace if necessary. ‡ X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Inspect the PCV valve and replace as necessary.* X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.  X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X SCHEDULE “ B ” 459
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Interlock System ....................... 310
Reset Mode .......................... 311
Selection Of Lubricant ................ 425,445
Shifting ............................. 311
Special Additives ...................... 427
Automatic Transmission ................... 424
Adding Fluid ......................... 426
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 427
Fluid Change ......................... 427
Fluid Level Check ...................... 426
Fluid Type ........................ 425,445
Ball Joints ............................. 412
Battery ............................... 409
Gas Caution .......................... 409
Jump Starting ......................... 387
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 25
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 145
Bearings .............................. 428 Belts, Drive ............................ 405
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 413
B-Pillar Location ........................ 324
Brake Fluid ............................ 445
Brake, Parking .......................... 313
Brake System ........................ 314,421
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 315
Fluid Check .......................... 423
Hoses .............................. 422
Warning Light ........................ 205
Brakes ............................. 314,421
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 310
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 82
Bulb Replacement ....................... 438
Bulbs, Light ............................ 437
Calibration, Compass ..................... 159
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 443 INDEX 483
10

Compass Variance ....................... 160
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 162
Console, Overhead ....................... 158
Console, Removable ................... 184,185
Contract, Service ........................ 476
Coolant Pressure Cap ..................... 418
Cooling System ......................... 416
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 418
Coolant Capacity ...................... 443
Coolant Level ...................... 416,419
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 419
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 417
Inspection ........................... 419
Points to Remember .................... 420
Pressure Cap ......................... 418
Radiator Cap ......................... 418
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...... 417,443,444
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 155
Cruise Light ........................... 211 Cup Holder ......................... 177,432
Customer Assistance ..................... 474
Daytime Running Lights ................... 145
Dealer Service .......................... 400
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 300
Defroster, Windshield ................ 84,279,290
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 398
Dimmer Control ........................ 144
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ................. 426
Oil (Engine) .......................... 401
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 391
Disarming, Theft System ................... 27
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 419
Engine Oil ........................... 405
Domelight ............................. 144
Door Ajar Light ......................... 205 INDEX 485
10

Temperature Gauge ..................... 208
Exhaust Gas Caution .............. 37,83,345,415
Exhaust System ......................... 415
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 53
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 91
Filters
Air Cleaner .......................... 406
Air Conditioning .................... 296,411
Automatic Transaxle .................... 427
Engine Oil ........................ 405,444
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 405
Flashers
Hazard Warning ....................... 366
Turn Signal ..................... 205,439,441
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 377
Fluid Capacities ......................... 443
Fluid Leaks ............................. 84 Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................. 426
Brake ............................... 423
Power Steering ........................ 412
Fluids ................................ 444
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 444
Fog Light Service ........................ 440
Fog Lights .......................... 146,440
Fold in Floor (Stow  n Go) Seating ........... 123
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 390
Fuel ................................. 342
Adding ............................. 346
Additives ............................ 344
Clean Air ............................ 342
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 346
Gasoline ............................ 342
Gauge .............................. 204
Hoses .............................. 424
Light ............................... 204 INDEX 487
10

Traction Control Switch ................. 150,318
Trailer Towing .......................... 350
Cooling System Tips .................... 363
Hitches ............................. 353
Minimum Requirements ................. 358
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................ 356
Wiring .............................. 361
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 353
Trailer Weight .......................... 353
Transaxle ............................. 309
Automatic ........................... 309
Operation ........................... 309
Overdrive ........................... 312
Selection of Lubricant ................ 425,445
Transmission ........................... 424
Automatic ........................... 424
Filter ............................... 427
Fluid ............................ 425,445
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . 25 Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink  ) . . 167
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . 23
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
Transporting Pets ........................ 78
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 334
Trip Odometer .......................... 211
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 212
Turn Signals ................... 147,205,439,441
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 479
Universal Joints ......................... 413
Universal Transmitter ..................... 167
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... 342
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt .............. 49
Vanity Mirrors ........................... 93
Variance, Compass ....................... 160
Vehicle Certification Label ................. 348
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 6498 INDEX