Page "Dodge Caravan" Paragraph 23

Both a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a five-speed manual were available with all inline-4 engines, including the turbocharged 2. 5 L ( this was a rare combination ).

The Plymouth Voyager which was a rebadged version of the Caravan was also available with a manual transmission.

The Chrysler Town & Country which was a more luxurious repackaged version of the Caravan had no manual transmission option.

V-6 engines were only offered with the venerable fully hydraulically operated TorqueFlite, until the computer controlled Ultradrive 4-speed automatic became available in 1989.

The Ultradrive offered much better fuel economy and responsiveness, particularly when paired with the inline-4 engine.

However, it suffered from reliability problems, usually stemming from what is known as " gear hunt " or " shift busyness ", resulting in premature wear of the internal clutches.

It also requires an uncommon type of automatic transmission fluid and is not clearly labeled as such, leading many owners to use the more common Dexron II rather than the specified " Mopar ATF + 3 ", resulting in transmission damage and eventual failure.