How can I maintain a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan to make is last?

Question

A year ago my mother bought a used 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan from a Chevy dealer. The car has about 45,000mi on it and it is in great shape. We don't use it often. Only like once or twice a week. My mother bought it for long trips. I want to know how to properly maintain this van so it can last a very long time. We have a 2007 Ford Fusion, a 1997 Ford Expedition, and a 2001 GMC Yukon with all having 250,000+ miles on them. I want the van we recently got to last as long as all of our other cars. Any tips on maintenance and servicing? I know it was kind of a mistake to buy this van not knowing that chrysler/dodge are becoming less reliable, but we just want this car to last. We did read online that if properly maintained, this van has lasted people over 200,000 miles. (We live in California)

This topic was modified 5 years ago by leotardm101

7.3PunchInA3.4 · Accepted Answer

Don't drive it super hard. The CVT's in those things can be weak but aren't a huge problem area until you reach higher milage.

Our 2013 has had zero issues besides a thermostat, just change the oil every 5K miles and don't drive it hard. It may be a Dodge, but it's a mini van. Drive it like a mini van.

Good luck with it bud

Whatchamacallit · Answer

In general, the three pillars of reliability/longevity/durability (in my opinion) are: 1.) design/engineered in from the beginning (long before assembly); 2.) assembly; and 3.) owner maintenance.

You can’t do anything about 1.) and 2.) and that will always hold you back, but you can do something about 3.). For 3.) generally follow your owner’s manual, but when it comes to engine oil change no more than every 5,000 miles/once a year whichever comes first, and for the automatic transmission I would change every 40,000 miles max (drain and fill with filter change, if that’s applicable). Also, don’t tow or drive it hard. Baby it as much as you can, and stick to highway miles over city (stop and go) miles. Saying a little prayer can’t hurt either.

yaser · Answer

Change the transmission fluid and do not push the car hard.