[crossfire]

I have a question for all the experts here, and forgive me if this has been asked before. How reliable is our 5th gens .

Mine is a 2013 with 70K miles on it, I am the second owner ( since 55K miles ) , my question is I have couple road trips during the rest of the year. ( say 200-400 miles one way) . Wondering if the van will handle it just fine or am I pushing it as it is getting 10 years old van.

In the past 2 years I have owned , the only issue I had is a thermostat stuck open and I have fixed it at the dealer.

I let dealer change oil about 4K miles, did not touch the transmission.

Any thing else should I proactively change on this Van to keep it in good condition for read trips. I understand lot depends on the how has it has been maintained. ( Spark plugs/Coolant flush/Belts???Anything proactive checked?).

What generally causes a stranded in road trips? ( especially if you have passengers )


If I can make it to get me another year or two , another 25K miles, I can save and get a newer model year.

 

[jeffprien1]

My 2013 has 210,000 miles. best proactive advice is to carry a fuel relay bypass in the glove box. In all my miles, that’s the only thing that left me stranded. $15 part cost me a $800 tow.

 

[2016T&C LP]

Make sure you have a spare tire/ jack/ tire iron. Also check the age of your battery.
Having AAA usually makes me feel more confident on road trips than anything else.

 

[Westphal]

We took our '09 GC on road trips to 33 states, covering a few to several thousand miles each trip. Never had a problem on a trip, and replaced a newly leaking radiator before a trip to Florida. It had over 180k miles before we sold it about 1 1/2 years ago. Our current '08 T&C was driven by my parents to numerous states too and was driven to Georgia and back last year. It has just over 100k miles on it now.

 

[Sienile]

Though it should last as long as you want it to without it, I would do a transmission fluid and filter change. You'll notice better shifts and maybe improved fuel economy.

My 2013 has 210,000 miles. best proactive advice is to carry a fuel relay bypass in the glove box. In all my miles, that’s the only thing that left me stranded. $15 part cost me a $800 tow.

Or be way ahead of the curve and do the external relay fix before you need it and have a spare relay in the glove box.

 

[gravitylover]

Heh, the first few threads I read tonight have a bunch of talk about the relay fix. It's like an omen that I should do this sooner rather than later. I think I'll order 2 in the morning.

@OP - I do 500-1k mile road trips weekly, sometimes 3-400 a day for a few days in a row in my 15 DGC. Do the maintenance, change the tranny fluid, and just stay ahead of potential problems and drive it. Oh, make sure your AAA membership is paid up 😉

 

[Dvan]

I think 2013 was the last year for a spare tire? Check in the back (panel) as I remember for a jack. If you have a spare tire, make sure you lower it. As others have said AAA membership. I think you'll be find.
We have some friend's that have a TC that they take trips every year with 300k on it...I think that's nuts and they finally replaced it.

 

[2019GTlife]

I think 2013 was the last year for a spare tire? Check in the back (panel) as I remember for a jack. If you have a spare tire, make sure you lower it. As others have said AAA membership. I think you'll be find.
We have some friend's that have a TC that they take trips every year with 300k on it...I think that's nuts and they finally replaced it.

I do believe that my 2019 has a spare. I have not lowered to see yet but the jack and other tools are in the back.


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[Cal T&C]

I think the Town & Country is an excellent vehicle for travel and touring. With 283HP and decent highway MPG..25+ it allows for comfortable family travel. My T&C has had warranty work, but in most cases the vehicle has been drivable until a service appointment can be made.
Adding the spare tire I think is a good idea. My 2014 had the winch already in place. Adding the spare tire, cover, and tools may cost close to $400.

 

[Sienile]

...
We have some friend's that have a TC that they take trips every year with 300k on it...I think that's nuts and they finally replaced it.

I used to do a bi-weekly commute across the washboard highways of Louisiana (400+ miles) in my Altima that had over 700K miles on it. Mileage matters less on well cared for vehicles.

 

[YotoWerks]

Couple things that come to mind that can leave you stranded.

1. the Y connection on the heater core coolant lines which is between the engine and the battery, I would upgrade that to the aluminum version.

2. I would pull the oil cooler off and install new O rings and reinstall it. That should ensure that it wont fail for at least 75-100k. Seems the oem o rings crush to the point where they become flat and oil or coolant can push out through the reduced sealing surface.

3. Make sure the trans cooler lines are dry, if they leak change those as well.

4. Do your trans fluid service, dorp the pan, new filter, install pan with drain plug and refill with fresh fluid. THen do the fluid every 30-40k.

5. Use 5W30, avoid the 5W20 or 0W20 weight oils. I dont trust anything 20 weight for hot weather operation.

6. Go to vertical visions website and pick up relay bypass module and keep in the glove box just in case the fuel pump relay decides to fail, it will get you home and allow for decent time before you replace the TIPM.

 

[Long_Voyager94]

Simple answer: If it has been properly maintained and things are fixed before they become issues, there should be no worries about taking it ANYWHERE.

I can't imagine being worried about taking a vehicle with 70k miles on a 400 mile trip. I took my 94 with 340k miles from WI to FL and never thought twice about it. Why?
Because I took care of it, knew what had and hadn't been fixed, so I knew there was nothing to give me issues.

 

[Dvan]

I do believe that my 2019 has a spare. I have not lowered to see yet but the jack and other tools are in the back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was not standard equipment after 2013-4. In your case one would have order it?

I do believe that my 2019 has a spare. I have not lowered to see yet but the jack and other tools are in the back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[2019GTlife]

It was not standard equipment after 2013-4. In your case one would have order it?

Well now I got to drop it down and check. Guess it is better to know now before I take off on a trip.
Just checked the build sheet and it says “compact spare tire”.

 

[YoGeorge]

My 2016 GC has a spare standard because it's an R/T. It was an option on lower model lines in 2016. I specifically wanted a spare. I am reminded that I need to pull it down and make sure it's full of air.

Long trips in older vehicles are usually very easy if all the wheels are round and fluids are not leaking out of them. Steady state operation as on a highway trip puts very few demands on a vehicle unless you're doing mountains or something. I'd carry one of those little jump boxes, a small compressor, an extra quart of oil, and some basic tools at minimum. The fuel pump fuse thing is new to me and I will follow up on that myself.

 

[Vicarod]

I think the Town & Country is an excellent vehicle for travel and touring. With 283HP and decent highway MPG..25+ it allows for comfortable family travel. My T&C has had warranty work, but in most cases the vehicle has been drivable until a service appointment can be made.
Adding the spare tire I think is a good idea. My 2014 had the winch already in place. Adding the spare tire, cover, and tools may cost close to $400.

Not at a junkyard...Go to a pick-n-pull or something similar (We have LKQ Pick Your Part here)

 

[bwestonc]

I have a question for all the experts here, and forgive me if this has been asked before. How reliable is our 5th gens .

Mine is a 2013 with 70K miles on it, I am the second owner ( since 55K miles ) , my question is I have couple road trips during the rest of the year. ( say 200-400 miles one way) . Wondering if the van will handle it just fine or am I pushing it as it is getting 10 years old van.

In the past 2 years I have owned , the only issue I had is a thermostat stuck open and I have fixed it at the dealer.

I let dealer change oil about 4K miles, did not touch the transmission.

Any thing else should I proactively change on this Van to keep it in good condition for read trips. I understand lot depends on the how has it has been maintained. ( Spark plugs/Coolant flush/Belts???Anything proactive checked?).

What generally causes a stranded in road trips? ( especially if you have passengers )


If I can make it to get me another year or two , another 25K miles, I can save and get a newer model year.

 

[bwestonc]

Flush the radiator flush the transmission replace the belts and you should be good to go at least 25,000 MI no problem

 

[carlrice]

You can go to Vertical Visions and learn about the by-pass cable for the fuel pump.

TIPM Bypass Cable (Standard) for Mini-Blade Fuse Slots

Then go to Amazon and order dual fuse circuit taps and save $25 if you already have a circuit tester.

Amazon.com: Recoil FT2-10 10 Pack 12V Car Add-a-Circuit Fuse Tap Adapter Mini ATS Blade Fuse Holder with 10pcs 10A, 20A Fuses : Automotive

Buy Recoil FT2-10 10 Pack 12V Car Add-a-Circuit Fuse Tap Adapter Mini ATS Blade Fuse Holder with 10pcs 10A, 20A Fuses: Fuse Holders - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[salamanco98]

I have a question for all the experts here, and forgive me if this has been asked before. How reliable is our 5th gens .

Mine is a 2013 with 70K miles on it, I am the second owner ( since 55K miles ) , my question is I have couple road trips during the rest of the year. ( say 200-400 miles one way) . Wondering if the van will handle it just fine or am I pushing it as it is getting 10 years old van.

In the past 2 years I have owned , the only issue I had is a thermostat stuck open and I have fixed it at the dealer.

I let dealer change oil about 4K miles, did not touch the transmission.

Any thing else should I proactively change on this Van to keep it in good condition for read trips. I understand lot depends on the how has it has been maintained. ( Spark plugs/Coolant flush/Belts???Anything proactive checked?).

What generally causes a stranded in road trips? ( especially if you have passengers )


If I can make it to get me another year or two , another 25K miles, I can save and get a newer model year.

My 2013 has 195 K, still running perfect, just got back from a trip Chicago-NYC-Chicago
As a precaution Oil/Anti-freeze cooler replaced because the original it’s made of plastic, updated to a new update made of aluminum and new ignition coils.