Please provide at home maintenance/upkeep suggestions for everyday 300C drivers

[MetalManCPA]

My purpose for this thread is to tap the brains of the car experts and others who regularly dabble with their rides. Of course many of these tips can apply to all vehicles, but I want to become intimate with my 300C and treat her well.

I look at my 300C and see a highly technical leading edge vehicle that I spent a lot of money on. I want to keep it for a long time. I know about the normal maintence routines - oil changes (not an at home maintenance item, but to me the one regular visit to your dealership), wash/wax the car, check air pressure in the tires, look at fluid levels occassionally (oil, transmission, radiator).

I know for a fact I should be doing more at home monitoring of my vehicle. How ofter should I check the air filter? Is there anything in the engine I should check regularly? How about underneath the vehicle? I mean, there are autoparts stores out their for a reason. i sometimes feel trapped into relying 100% on a dealership, and drive my car for miles without thinking (until you hear something that causes you to make a dealership appointment).

So for all of you car doctors out there - could you start listing your medical treatment of your cars? What are things you do on your own? What things to you replace, and how often?

Thanks all!!

[kevenj]

Why isn't an oil change an "at home" item? It is one of the simplest things to do on a car, and it gives you the chance to notice other things (like leaks, etc.) that you might not discover 'til it is too late otherwise. If you do it yourself then you KNOW what oil is really in there, and you KNOW if it has a good quality filter (i.e. not Fram or other similar garbage) and you KNOW the drain plug is not stripped out from some idiot torquing it to 500 lb/ft! And you can take the used oil to most any 'quickee-lube' type place because they usually get paid for their used oil -- or use it to heat their shop in the winter.

Air filter -- about 10,000 miles is a good rule of thumb, but that can vary depending on where you drive. I'd say inspect it every other oil change if you do 3000 mile oil changes.

[stealthsrt8]

i couldn't agree more with KJ. when i first came on this board it was he and some others who convinced me that i could change the oil myself. on my car it's $75-100 at the dealer to do so. oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, imo it's the one thing you should do yourself if possible for all the reasons KJ mentioned.

air filters, wiper blades, cabin air filter (if equipped) are all good things to keep track of changing.

[bigsnake]

Speaking of cabin air filters I just bought a new one from NAPA. the part # is 4909 for $10. Check the outrageous price at your dealer! Extremely easy installation and Spring is a good time to replace the cabin air filter!

[bund]

Thanks for the tip big snake.

As for changing the oil, its really easy on the 300, everything is easy to reach.

[MoparCanuck]

How do you guys change the oils? I mean, do you hoist the car on 4 jackstands or do you simply drive it up a ramp and leave the 2 rear wheels on the ground? The oil drain seems to be angled to promote the car being raised only at the front.

[frankieo]

Just curious, I used to change my oil on all my cars but not on my 300.When you bring the car in to have the the oil change from the dealer or anywhere else they grease the front end, i never did it when i changed it myself.I guess my question is do the front end has to be greased or not.Dont know much about cars.Also do they do anything diffrent whith an oil change then me if i do it myself.Thanks.

[joey]

Just follow the maintenance schedule in the owners manual and you will be OK. If you don't have the dealer perform the service, then keep your receipts and records in case warranty issues develop.

Although not required to maintain warranty, you might want to clean the throttle body around 30k miles, and clean the fuel injection system.

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by frankieo

Just curious, I used to change my oil on all my cars but not on my 300.When you bring the car in to have the the oil change from the dealer or anywhere else they grease the front end, i never did it when i changed it myself.I guess my question is do the front end has to be greased or not.Dont know much about cars.Also do they do anything diffrent whith an oil change then me if i do it myself.Thanks.

I honestly don't remember for sure if there are any greasable components on the front end of the 300; I believe the outer tie rod ends are greasable and that's it, but I could be wrong ( I have 3 cars and two pickups, plus take care of my Dad's vehicles....so they all blend together sometimes....).

You can pick up a grease gun pretty cheaply at any auto parts store (under $20 for a decent one) and do that yourself too...

[bund]

Originally Posted by MoparCanuck

How do you guys change the oils? I mean, do you hoist the car on 4 jackstands or do you simply drive it up a ramp and leave the 2 rear wheels on the ground? The oil drain seems to be angled to promote the car being raised only at the front.

I drive it up ramps, I find i always have to put something unmoveable behind the ramps so they dont move while driving up the ramps (this is the only car ive had that issue with).