I just thought I would summarize some of the observations I had while taking the long road trip to Ohio in the new Caravan for reference by others that own this vehicle or similar engine from FCA.
Vehicle:
2018 Dodge Grand Caravan GT
3.6L V6 PentaStar V6
62TE 6 Speed Transmission (Mercedes/Chrysler design running ATF+4)
Purchased new as of 10/10/2018
Mileage as of 10/22/2018 - 3560km (2225 miles)
- Changed the oil twice from the factory fill during this time using conventional to rinse the engine of break in particulate / assembly lube / gasket material etc.
- Broken in as per the manual recommendations.
- Driven normally after formal break-in was completed at 500km.
Noticed during the trip and after the trip:
Fuel economy average was reset when I got on the highway: 10.2L / 100km (23.06mpg) when I arrived 8 hours later at my destination.
Fuel economy average with in-town driving: (12.1L / 100km) (19.44 mpg)
Fuel economy average with drive back: 9.8L / 100km (24.00 mpg)
The transmission had really positive engagements and felt grabby while shifting under low throttle and at lower speeds. This smoothed out dramatically by the end of the trip. (Checked the fluid before the trip and it was full)
Thermostat opening temperature for this engine is 95C (203F)
Engine coolant temperature on the highway never exceeded 95C (203F)
Engine coolant temperature in-town never exceeded 105C (221F) - Cooling fan kicks in at this point
Engine oil temperature on the highway never exceeded 87C (188.6 F)
Engine oil temperature in-town never exceeded 100C (212F) - Briefly hit this maximum once
(Engine is equipped with a oil to coolant heat exchanger. )
Oil pressure is not linear in this engine and the ECM controls the pressure based on oil temperature and demand from the engine so it fluctuates. (More about that here: https://www.pentastars.com/engines/tech.php)
All in all I'm happy about this purchase and the performance of this vehicle since I bought it and with some miles on the engine now it feels like it has loosened up a bit and it very eager to perform with minimal throttle input. I'm looking forward to keeping this vehicle as long as possible and it should see a long life thanks to its great design and the easy type of miles I put on my vehicles with the long runs up-down the highway.
Any questions let me know. I would be happy to provide information.
Vehicle:
2018 Dodge Grand Caravan GT
3.6L V6 PentaStar V6
62TE 6 Speed Transmission (Mercedes/Chrysler design running ATF+4)
Purchased new as of 10/10/2018
Mileage as of 10/22/2018 - 3560km (2225 miles)
- Changed the oil twice from the factory fill during this time using conventional to rinse the engine of break in particulate / assembly lube / gasket material etc.
- Broken in as per the manual recommendations.
- Driven normally after formal break-in was completed at 500km.
Noticed during the trip and after the trip:
Fuel economy average was reset when I got on the highway: 10.2L / 100km (23.06mpg) when I arrived 8 hours later at my destination.
Fuel economy average with in-town driving: (12.1L / 100km) (19.44 mpg)
Fuel economy average with drive back: 9.8L / 100km (24.00 mpg)
The transmission had really positive engagements and felt grabby while shifting under low throttle and at lower speeds. This smoothed out dramatically by the end of the trip. (Checked the fluid before the trip and it was full)
Thermostat opening temperature for this engine is 95C (203F)
Engine coolant temperature on the highway never exceeded 95C (203F)
Engine coolant temperature in-town never exceeded 105C (221F) - Cooling fan kicks in at this point
Engine oil temperature on the highway never exceeded 87C (188.6 F)
Engine oil temperature in-town never exceeded 100C (212F) - Briefly hit this maximum once
(Engine is equipped with a oil to coolant heat exchanger. )
Oil pressure is not linear in this engine and the ECM controls the pressure based on oil temperature and demand from the engine so it fluctuates. (More about that here: https://www.pentastars.com/engines/tech.php)
All in all I'm happy about this purchase and the performance of this vehicle since I bought it and with some miles on the engine now it feels like it has loosened up a bit and it very eager to perform with minimal throttle input. I'm looking forward to keeping this vehicle as long as possible and it should see a long life thanks to its great design and the easy type of miles I put on my vehicles with the long runs up-down the highway.
Any questions let me know. I would be happy to provide information.
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