Mailbag
Our Readers Sound Off.
QUARTER-MILLION-MILE JEEP®
Our son purchased this 1996 Jeep® Grand Cherokee with 4.0L brand new in Fargo, N.D. We bought the Jeep from him when it had 100,000 miles on the clock. Currently the vehicle has 250k+ and still runs very well with the original motor—it has the original paint too. We thought you would be interested to know that we’re very pleased with our Jeep.
Alton & Darlene Finck
Watertown, S.D.
That’s fantastic news that your Jeep has joined the quarter-million-mile club. It just goes to show how regular preventive maintenance will extend engine life—especially replacing the engine oil as recommended in the vehicle Owner’s Manual. Of course, we feel Jeep engineering and design played an important role in the durability of your vehicle. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story with the Mopar Nation.—Ed.
5.7L MOPAR® PERFORMANCE CAMSHAFT
Does Mopar have a high-performance off-road camshaft for my 2006 Magnum with 5.7L HEMI®?
George Clark
Riverside, Calif.
Yes, Mopar has a camshaft and lifters kit, P/N *P5153570 (above), for your 2006 Dodge Magnum with 5.7L HEMI. The kit includes a 5.7L HEMI Mopar Performance Camshaft and non-MDS hydraulic lifters (16 total). And, a Mopar Powertrain Controller upgrade is also available for your vehicle–designed to take advantage of this MP camshaft by optimizing fueling and spark settings.—Ed.
*Not legal for sale on pollution-controlled vehicles or vehicles registered for highway use.
MOPAR POWER STEERING FLUID
My 1999 Dodge Owner’s Manual states that Mopar Power Steering Fluid meeting MS-9933 is required for the power steering system. I’m unable to locate this fluid. Is it still available?
Chris Houser
San Jose, Calif.
Thanks for your inquiry, Chris. The fluid you’re referring to has been superseded. Use Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4, P/N 05166226AA, or ATF+4® meeting MS-9602 (replaces MS-9933). For more info about Mopar power steering fluids, see pp. 44–45 in the November/December 2010 issue of Mopar Magazine.—Ed.
ENGINE OIL DRAIN INTERVALS
I own four Mopars (2001 to 2010 models) and I’m the only driver of all of them. I use the Owner’s Manual/dealer recommended engine oils for each vehicle. None of the vehicles go the recommended mileage in a year for an oil change. In this case, how long will the oil actually be good? Is it critical the oil be changed at the time interval (in this case every 6 months)?
Bernie Larkin
Buffalo, N.Y.
The main reason for the 6-month oil change interval is internal engine condensation builds up over time. In order to maintain your Chrysler Group LLC factory warranty you must follow the indicated oil change drain interval—time or mileage, whichever occurs first—listed on the maintenance schedule in the appropriate vehicle Owner’s Manual.—Ed.
BRING BACK THE COMANCHE!
I’m a huge Jeep fan from the age of four and always will be. Not sure who will read this but I think it would be awesome if Jeep would bring back the Comanche—just wanted to throw that out there.
Charlie Bollinger
Via e-mail
Thanks for the message, Charlie. We have several Jeep enthusiasts at Mopar Magazine that love the Comanche too. As you know, the Comanche and Cherokee were the first Jeep vehicles equipped with Quadra-Link front suspension—the coil springs allowed for increased axle articulation during off-road excursions and a smoother ride on the street. And, the 1992 Comanche was the last built Jeep compact pickup. Like you, we’re hoping that one day a new Jeep pickup will return to the market.—Ed.
