back in the saddle

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sniffs
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*bump*
the loan officer hasn't come through, yet, and the dealer is getting antsy. and guess who starts friday night?!
 
they'll hold it yet, but still no decision one way or the other. this is what it's been like Job hunting. they waffle more than IHOP!

Edit: Approved, now I have to wait untill later to get the insurance confirmation and pick up the van. either way, I got wheels again!
 
bump*

if anyone's interested.

been a full week of diving now. damn, this thing is THIRSTY! (doesn't help I'm doing eighty miles a day). friday's approaching blizzard had me in panic mode, cause some idiot put summer tires on this damn thing, rather than all seasons (musta been city folk as a previous owner). the ABS buzzed like a nut every time I got near a wet slope.
 
What exactly are you driving now? And cmon, you know summer tires in the snow will be fun ;)
 
Sniffs
bump*

been a full week of diving now. damn, this thing is THIRSTY!
Click to expand...

I get about 20 mpg in mixed use with my Grand Caravan; maybe 24 on road trips unless I whale on it.
 
Must: unlike you, I have eight lives, a lot of money, and minimal insurance to think about. this is a work vehicle, not recreational. Also, unlike a lot of people, a vehicle in THIS family is a major investment and absolutely NECESSARY to even get some basics like food. I'll be paying off this van for 3 years, so don't tell me.

Duke: miles of high speed rural two lanes, and I'm getting the EPA estimate. if there is one, i will get it. the in car economy averager is reporting 17.6...on H rated summer tires of the low-profile variety.

since I'm used to driving 140 horse overweight and underpowered slushbox 3 liters with a 3 speed tranny, and tires at least of the "75" variety, I have a lead foot...on my first vehicle that was built AFTER I got out of high school instead of before
 
So..um...I take it you got the caravan, then?

Could you show us, please. Even if it is a work vehicle, I'm interested.
 
I retract my previous comment about fun regarding the summer tires. Do the sensible thing!
 
yeah, i got the Caravan.

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the colour is officially listed as "Champagne" it looks a bright steel grey in direct sunlight, sage green at certian sun angles, and a gold-ish colour when it's overcast.

i TOLD you guys i was rural!

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this thing is in need of a good cleaning, and that's how I bought it! note that the driver's seat is a replacement, as the fabric is different. I've seen a couple indicators that this thing's been in a fender bender or two.

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who puts H rated tires on a minivan?
 
I do! In fact, I think mine are rated higher than that. You'll want stiffer sidewalls to stop the front end from tucking under in turns. That's not a light vehicle.
 
it's probably lighter than the SUV's I've had over the years. how much traveling up infrequently plowed potholy back roads have you done? nah, it's more the lack of grip in snowy conditions (don't MENTION ice) that's bugging me. the tread doesn't have enough bite for my comfort, either in tread blocks or the compound, which is coming across as rock-hard. i am well used to 70's and chunky tread, but I'm also used to underpowered engines that you had to drop the hammer on the floor to go up a 9% grade (and were STILL slower than most fully loaded Rigs!)
 
Those tires will likely hook up if/when the sun comes out and the road warms above 40 degrees F. But in snow? geez.

Maybe some winter beater rims (K-car, great source, as the steelies came on early caravans, too) and winter tires could come in handy. Or just switching to all season Touring.
 
As a former owner of a 3rd gen Chrysler van let me be the first to recommend the following:
  • If under 90k miles do the timing check at the dealer to ensure your timing has been done.
  • If over 90k do the timing.
  • If under 90k and you are unsure if the 60k service was done, do it.
  • Flush your transmission fluid ASAP. And flush it every 30k, this is the step most owners neglect and thus cause the already crappy autoboxes to basically melt.
  • Replace the PCV valve and tubing (use rubber not plastic).
  • Be mindful of your coolant level in the summer.
  • Be prepared to spend a buttload of money on an alignment--they are expensive for this van.

My van was great, and it was in fabulous condition, however most of these aren't in good shape underneath the surface and aren't taken care of by the previous owners. Just don't get lazy on the routine maintenance and you'll be fine. I strongly suggest a complete fluid flush and air filter replacement (and spark plugs if over 90k miles), you'll thank me.

Also, the 4spd auto box can be problematic--but only if you thrash it and don't be mindful of the upkeep (checking fluids, doing flushes, etc). The gas mileage can be good or poor depending on one important factor, your right foot.

P.S. register here: http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/index.php
 
Prower: yes, I noticed that this afternoon. they took about half an hour of steady driving to get sticky enough to grip well. I had a hell of a time trying to even get out of my driveway. pity me having to drive in that blizzard tomorrow.

JCE: all such maintenence will have to wait until spring at LEAST. right now, I'm estimating weekly Gasoline purchase price at least 80 bucks (17 with 7 200 lb passengers is pretty damn good, considering), full tank. I'm burning a quarter of a tank a day.
 
okay, this has me wondering about what the bleep is going on with Chrysler engines.

I've finally got a rolling economy run...
14.6??!?!

:ouch:

the Overhead averager reports 17.1 (down one MPG from when I purchased)

since my step-father's Magnum Dakota reports 12.1 (and probably legitimately gets 10 or less), it must be something in the way Chrysler designed these damn things. any advice?
 
Bad O2 sensors are possibly part of the reason for the crap fuel econ.

As for the average reading different, the average is based from the last time it reset until now; if you reset it when you buy a tank of gas it should wind up fairly accurate.
 
well, there are now a set of 205 70's on the front, with a HECK of a lot more tread bite than the 215's. it's not even hesitating through this snowy crapola around here, and that's more of what I need than interstate travelling tires :P

RJ: yeah, I remember that now. wish I had earlier.

note to Duke: it was light enough to get stuck in a snowdrift a coupe inches high twice in one day, and for 4 guys to shove sideways.
 
I averaged 15.8 with over a year of owning mine. And I wasn't driving like a grampa for 80% of the time. Keep in mind that if you average 16mpg in mixed driving while driving normally you are doing good. The worst part about it is you need to give it some throttle to get it going and that will consume some petrol.
 
I got a surprise, today.
it appears I may have heated mirrors. HUH? since when do they put a luxury car item like that on minivans? i must be too used to Bare Bones cars of the eighties and early ninties.

if I post the Chrysler Goodie Tag, can someone translate it for me? (I didn't know that Chrysler still DID that)
 
I need some advice fellas, so, I'm poking this thread awake.

anybody had trouble with the wiper pivot points on a 3rd gen? it appears the post for the drivers side wiper arm is completely stripped, and any sort of weight burden (even wet snow) knocks out the driver's wiper so it won't move
 
Not exactly...but I'm sure it can't be entirely different from anything older, either.

First thing might be to take that arm off and see if your suspicions are correct. the good news is that, like just about anything on the Caravan, it's K-Car based, and you can probably find parts in any K-based Chrysler of about the same vintage. I think. I hope.
 
that would explain why the whole wiper arm is held on by one nut!

don't forget, though, this is a 99, not an 89, and even K component AA's (Spirit/Acclaim) are sparse to nonexistent around here (along, apparently, with most junkyards that carry anything over a couple years old)
 
I would suggest, if you don't have one already, purchasing a Chilton's repair manual for your van.
 

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