2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Oil Change

The van needed an oil change. Watch to see what oil and filter I used... leave a comment below about what brands you use and why!
I used a 17mm socket for my drain plug. Yours may be different.
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[@OctopusCharade]

Hey thanks for uploading this. I really appreciate it. You taught me how to change my own oil WOOOO!

[@70sfred1]

I like your throughness like making sure everything is cleaned, etc.

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

70sfred1 thank you for the kind words. It is so nice to hear from viewers, it's what makes this community so amazing. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Either the viewers or I will do our best to help. Happy wrenching! ~Mr. C.

[@kathymyers-host6187]

TYVM for sharing this video! Now I know how to change the oil on my Caravan!

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Kathy Bruxvoort glad you found it helpful! Thank you for watching! ~Mr. C.

[@kathymyers-host6187]

@@NaturesCadenceFarm yessir! I changed it myself last Tuesday! Not bad for a 55 yr old Gramma that hasn't done that since my "young" Racing Days😉

[@willyboy514]

I got an '07 still running well and surviving through Canadian winters, this is a good tutorial, thanks buddy!

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

William Cameron you are very welcome, it is my pleasure. That sounds like a sweet ride. Ours just tripped over 250k miles with the original engine and transmission. ~Mr. C.

[@tharrimo4able]

@@NaturesCadenceFarm how often have you changed the transmission fluids sir?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

@Jacob Russell I like to change the transmission fluid and filter every 30k miles. I have found this will help the transmission last for many years and many miles. Check out the video below for how to change the transmission fluid and filter in the van. Thanks for watching and asking! ~Mr. C. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2PPonZmp7GKj5o

[@hutchinshut1379]

Thanks for the video

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Daniel Hutchins you are very welcome. Thanks for watching! ~Mr. C.

[@Phuk_Yew]

I’m about to do an oil change on mine today too, little over 200K for me too that 3.8 is well made. I’ve never seen that Wolf’s Head oil! Going with old classic Castrol and a quart of Lucas.

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

TW Chisholm I agree very well made engine. Just tripped 245000 on her over the weekend. I have moved away from Wolf's Head... Meaning we moved to the farm and no one carries Wolf's Head here. I have been running Shell Rotella Gas Truck 5W-30 lately with very good results. You can't go wrong with Castrol and a bottle of Lucas. Happy wrenching! ~Mr. C.

[@alphakapparho7372]

Thank you bro

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Alpha kappa rho 73 you are very welcome. Glad to help. ~Mr. C.

[@franciscohuerta9860]

ey natures i just did mine yesturday n socker or wrech size is a 17mm

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Awesome. Hopefully that will help others too! Thanks for sharing!

[@clarkjbunch]

My dad used to use the oil filter wrench to tighten the filter. I think he over torqued everything he ever put together (but I don't think it ever created a problem for him). Oil filter wrenches are for removal, not installation. Once the gasket is flush to the surface go another 1/4 turn. My rule of thumb is left hand tight.

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Clark Bunch thanks for the information. I will try that method next oil change. Mr. C.

[@slimsherman5818]

I've got an 05 with 3.3, will take a socket set under there just in case it's not 17mm. Looks like previous owner used 10w-30 so maybe I'll stick with that. Also, did you have to jack the Van up first and one more thing sir (talking like Columbo). Have you had to replace the belt tensioner pulley, mines making a squeaking sound with these sideways motors it looks a little tricky to replace.Thanks for posting brother and keep up the good work

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

@slim sherman good call on taking the socket set. I do that most of the time. I am terrible at remembering the sizes. You might be able to reach everything without jacking the van up. If you only need an inch or two try driving up onto a piece of wood like a 2x8 or bigger under both front tires. Very safe and cheap and should give you space for the drain pan. I just drive up on ramps for oil changes. I did replace the belt tensioner but unfortunately I do not have a video on it. It wasn't bad just tight in there. If I remember correctly a shallow head ratchet and ratcheting wrenches would help. I made a custom tensioner tool to rotate the pully back to get the belt on. If I get a chance today I will make a short video about it. Hope this is helpful! ~Mr. C. 3/8" teardrop ratchet: amzn.to/42CeQQH Ratcheting wrenches: amzn.to/3J6b5fa Tensioner tool: amzn.to/3p1J1D5

[@slimsherman5818]

@@NaturesCadenceFarm Thanks for responding, I'll be tackling this project soon. Just finished replacing the front blower motor, a couple of the screws were screwy to get out but got it done, need a/c in Florida for sure this time of year. Thanks again for useful info

[@restoremyride6325]

Looks good underneath to have 200k. Have you replaced the transmission filter

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Michael Dempsey-Nicely I have replaced it many times. I service the trans every 30k and use Royal Purple Max ATF. I know it sounds excessive but it has 235k on it and has never had a trans rebuild. I like the Max ATF and would highly recommend it. I even picked up better gas mileage when I switched over to it years ago. Thanks for watching! ~ Mr. C.

[@laytonvires2953]

My 05 caravan owners manual and the oil cap says 5w30 why do you use 5w20?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

@laytonvires2953 that is an excellent question. I really can not give you an answer. That video was made and posted 5 years ago. I can not remember if that was an oversight on my part or it was recommended to me. What I can tell you today is that van has had many oil changes with many different oil types and weights used. It does not burn oil at 268000 miles and runs like a top. It does have a few weeping leaks and I do add a quart between 3000 mile oil changes. The main thing is changing the oil and filter at a low interval. I believe this is what has prevented this van from the oil burning problem I have observed in this model. Thanks for watching! ~Mr. C.

[@franciscohuerta9860]

sorry 4 the misspelling. n i hope so

[@stacybarrs9765]

Is it a good idea to put oil in the filter. And how much do you put in it?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

@stacybarrs9765 you can add oil in the new filter before installing onto the engine. Doing so will get oil moving faster. Pour a little into the center hole of the new filter and wait a few seconds watching the oil as it goes down then pour a little more in. It might take a few pours but it won't go down anymore when the filter is full. Excellent question! Thanks for watching. ~Mr. C.

[@alaricahrens4084]

When I'm changing the oil do I have to change the filter?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Alaric Ahrens I change the filter with every oil change. I have heard of changing the oil without changing the filter. I have also heard of oil changes where just the oil filter gets changed. I would love to hear thoughts and opinions from other viewers on this topic. Thanks for asking this question. ~Mr. C.

[@tonytoneton2pac966]

All in total, did you end up putting the full 5 quarts in it or less curious?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

@Tonytoneton yes it takes the full 5 quarts. Thanks for watching! ~Mr. C.

[@pf210]

What is that part next to the oil filter called. Its an orange piece. With wires coming from it..been having small oil leaks. 1:56

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

F P it sounds like you are describing the protective cover for the +12v conductor going from the battery to the starter. In my experience oil should not be coming from the starter area. It may be coming from your oil pan gasket somewhere in the area. Hope this helps. Let me know​ how it turns out. ~Mr. C.

[@pf210]

Nature's Cadence Farm thank you so much for your time I think it is my oil pan gasket there's also oil on the water intake pipe.

[@pf210]

@@NaturesCadenceFarm change my oil pressure switch because it came out on a code cuz my oil pan came on and it's still leaking🤔 took it around the block parked it at a friend's house on the flat surface and oil is dripping down from the oil filter but it was already tighten

[@benafluck]

Me too I'm having same problem. I can see it too the wire and the orange socket. How you fix the leak.Thanks.😉

[@pf210]

@@NaturesCadenceFarm thru out all these years its been leaking from where the part that holds the filter😕

[@davidm3161]

What's the size of the drain plug. Very important

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

David M the drain plug size is listed in the description and in a comment. 17mm if you were in need of that information. I believe this plug is factory. As you know sometimes the plugs get replaced for oversized ones when too much torque is applied to the plug. The replacement plugs can have an alternative socket size. I generally carry the socket rail with me when I head under there just to be safe. Thanks for watching and commenting! ~Mr. C.

[@kenmasters040108]

17mm socket is not working is there an alternative socket?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Charlie Meade A 17mm worked for my application. I am not familiar with any other size factory bolt head. You could have a replacement drain plug with a different size head. I have seen some available at the auto parts stores that are oversized and work for stripped out drain plugs. A metric 3/8" socket assortment on a socket rail made by gear wrench is my go to socket set for oil changes. I take it under the vehicle with me if I am unsure what size fits. I purchased it at my local Advance Auto Parts. I wish I could be of more help. Thanks for asking and watching ~Mr. C

[@fernandoaragon12]

On mine was 13mm.. try that one. Works for me

[@garlicdawg]

how many quarts does it take...?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

@garlicdawg it took a total of 5 quarts of oil with a filter change. Thanks for watching and asking. ~Mr. C.

[@franciscohuerta9860]

wat size socket 4 oil pan drain plug?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Francisco Huerta excellent question. I usually try to say what size socket I use while doing videos... not sure why I did not this time. To be honest I can not remember. However, I will need to change the oil again very soon. When I do I will be sure to let you know what size it is. Thanks for watching! ~Mr. C.

[@tyeleask3903]

What size socket ?

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

I used a 17mm socket. If your drain plug is not original it might not be the same size as mine. Thanks for asking. ~Mr. C.

[@gabrielM1111]

my 06 was 1/2 inch

[@jaywinters2483]

There is a taxi company around here that uses those vehicles exclusively and has well over 300,000 miles on everyone of them

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Jay Winters that's good to know!!! We are at 211,000 on this one so hopefully we can get it to 300,000!! It's nice not having a car payment​! Thanks for watching! 😉

[@restoremyride6325]

I had one hit 500,000. It was used to transport train crews it was a 2009. 3.8 engine. Original transmission and engine. Transmission pan dropped every 30,000 miles replaced filter valvoline full synthetic 5w20 every 15,000 miles. It got miles on it very quickly it had day and night shift drivers and usually got 700 to 1000 miles a day. I dont think it ever set for a hour with the engine off

[@davidm3161]

It actually you never put oil of petroleum or anything like that on the gasket because it will burn itself back on it. How is you spray silicone. Sorry 64 years of hot rod experience

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

David M that is an interesting point. I personally have never had gaskets or oil approaching "burning" temperatures in my mini van. My spay silicone is doing great, thanks for asking. I have no "hot rod" experience but applaud your experience. ~Mr. C.