The Economist: Detroit Finished

[Applemac_G4]

> 9 to 15% of three-year-old Chrysler minivans have transmission problems versus 2 to 5% for Odyssey.

In all fairness to Chrysler, this percentage is artificially inflated to
some extent because of improper maintenance. Most Chrysler transmissions
are very particular about the type of transmission fluid that they play nice
with. Putting Dexron in a Chrysler transmission is a good way to kill it,
and sometimes kill it quickly. This is true even for some Chrysler
transmissions that say that Dexron is an acceptable substitute on the
transmission dipstick (it's not).

In general, if your mechanic says that Dexron is an acceptable substitute,
run - don't walk - to another shop who will service the tranny properly.
There is no universal transmission fluid, and aftermarket formulas to make
one type compatible with a transmission designed for another type do not
work.

[Gordon McGrew]

On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 05:33:47 GMT, Applemac_G4
<applemac_g4@hotmail.com> wrote:
9 to 15% of three-year-old Chrysler minivans have transmission problems versus 2 to 5% for Odyssey.In all fairness to Chrysler, this percentage is artificially inflated tosome extent because of improper maintenance. Most Chrysler transmissionsare very particular about the type of transmission fluid that they play nicewith. Putting Dexron in a Chrysler transmission is a good way to kill it,and sometimes kill it quickly. This is true even for some Chryslertransmissions that say that Dexron is an acceptable substitute on thetransmission dipstick (it's not).In general, if your mechanic says that Dexron is an acceptable substitute,run - don't walk - to another shop who will service the tranny properly.There is no universal transmission fluid, and aftermarket formulas to makeone type compatible with a transmission designed for another type do notwork.

How frequently do you have to change the fluid? Even two-year-old
Caravan trannies have a lousy repair record.