R-pod Owners Forum : Dodge Caravan transmission discussion http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : Dodge Caravan transmission discussion Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 02 May 2026 14:47:42 +0000 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 22:19:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=4084 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : No problem towing our "Froggy... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39528#39528 Author: West Virginia Girls
Subject: 4084
Posted: 12 Oct 2013 at 10:19pm

Smile
No problem towing our "Froggy Pod" here in the West Virginia hills.  Just returned from a trip on the WV Turnpike--LOTS of hills.  Not using overdrive, speed easily maintained at 55-60 mph regardless of terrain, without excessive engine rev.  Easy, breezy with 1500 rpms.  Just take your time, and don't expect to cruise at 70.  So far, so good!]]> Sat, 12 Oct 2013 22:19:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39528#39528 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : I quote my own post: "I agree;... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39399#39399 Author: Ivinest
Subject: 4084
Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 1:37pm

I quote my own post:  

"I agree; if there is no shifty business when towing in drive (overdrive) then there is no need to select to a lower range."  Mute issue.

I was only inferring in my original post, when towing you must not use overdrive when the transmission is constantly downshifting.  Of course you can do anything you want but run the risk of ruining your transmission, and in some cases causing engine damaged from over-revving.  Disapprove
]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:37:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39399#39399 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : I agree they are very different... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39396#39396 Author: furpod
Subject: 4084
Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 12:59pm

I agree they are very different vehicles.. and yet the owners manuals say the same thing.. "if it hunts gears, take it out of overdrive" so if it's not hunting, but just down shifting as needed, no reason to not use OD.
 
Now.. the Expy.. she don't hunt gears with either the Pod or the Airstream. No doubt whatever conditions might cause it to do so, the Caravan will encounter sooner. But still no need for a blanket statement of "you cannot".
]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:59:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39396#39396 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : I agree; if there is no shifty... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39374#39374 Author: Ivinest
Subject: 4084
Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 8:20am

I agree; if there is no shifty business when towing in drive (overdrive) then there is no need to select to a lower range. However we are talking about two very different tow vehicles here. A Caravan is a far cry from an Expedition and also front wheel drive. Let me try to clarify something: All late model Caravans have a torque converter lockup feature when the conditions are right, coupling the drive train direct in the highest gear. This feature is determined by the onboard computer and is designed for fuel economy. The computer will release the lockup feature when it senses a more than average load and result in the transmission downshifting and the engine racing (hense the roar). This can be prevented by simply selecting a lower gear range (normal drive) which will essentially prevent the computer from locking up the torque converter in the first place. So, how do I know these things? I am a retired automotive technology instructor with a lifetime of auto mechanics, dealership service management and thirty years instructing.]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 08:20:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39374#39374 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : It seems to tow fine on level... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39368#39368 Author: TrinityTurret
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 11:03pm

It seems to tow fine on level roads...but coming back through Ohio and Kentucky on them thar hills from Couchs (yep), it was lower gears...then level offf...then more downshifting...then level...then more down, etc etc. It's that way when the wind blows also, LOL...


]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 23:03:58 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39368#39368 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : Originally posted by IvinestYour... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39367#39367 Author: furpod
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 10:53pm

Originally posted by Ivinest

Your transmission is probably downshifting out of overdrive.  You cannot tow in overdrive.  You must select the next range down to regular "drive" less you risk ruining your transmission.
It is OK to tow in overdrive, as long as the transmission doesn't "hunt gears", shifting in and out of OD frequently. We have 140k miles on our Expy, almost all of them while towing. It's always in OD.]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 22:53:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39367#39367 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : This quote is directly out of... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39364#39364 Author: Ivinest
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 9:56pm

This quote is directly out of the owner's manual for your Caravan: If frequent shifting occurs while in DRIVE, use the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control to select a lower gear range. NOTE: Selecting a lower gear range while operating the vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. This action will also provide better engine braking.]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 21:56:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39364#39364 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : We have "park, neutral, reverse,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39362#39362 Author: TrinityTurret
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 9:29pm

We have "park, neutral, reverse, and drive". No 'overdrive'...]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 21:29:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39362#39362 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : Your transmission is probably... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39360#39360 Author: Ivinest
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 9:08pm

Your transmission is probably downshifting out of overdrive.  You cannot tow in overdrive.  You must select the next range down to regular "drive" less you risk ruining your transmission.]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 21:08:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39360#39360 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : By 'roar' I mean it... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39347#39347 Author: TrinityTurret
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 4:01pm

By 'roar' I mean it sounds like 'passing gear', or the same 'roar' you hear when giving the van more gas while trying to pass while going up a hill...]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 16:01:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39347#39347 Dodge Caravan transmission discussion : Edit from Techntrek: At a member's... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39346#39346 Author: Thinker
Subject: 4084
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 3:53pm

Edit from Techntrek: At a member's request, I'm moving this discussion from the "Pictures of tow vehicles..." thread.

Original partial post from TrinityTurret:
Question for you: Doesn't your van 'groan' while pulling above 1,500 RPM's? Ours is equipped with the transmission cooler, and engine temp stays in the middle...normal...but we get above 1,500 RPM's and the engine 'groans', or 'roars', as if we were 'flooring it'. Is this normal?
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This does not seem normal to roar. You may be pulling with a Caravan, but you may also need transmission work in the near future.

]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:53:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4084&PID=39346#39346