Good morning, everyone!
My fiance and I just bought a brand new Rallye edition SXT Charger on Saturday. This is the first new car I've ever had, and I want to make sure that it lasts for 10 years or more without major issues. I've been loving it so far: the 300 horsepower and 30 MPG make it a pleasure to rip around and cruise in.
The car only had 110 miles when we picked it up, so we drove it on the highways and in town for the first 300 miles and made sure to vary the engine RPMs like the owner's manual said to do for break-in. We then drove it up to Moscow, ID from Caldwell/Boise, and it's sitting at right about 850 on the clock.
Obviously, I have a lot of questions, so I'll give you as much info as I can!
The owner's manual recommends using 5W-20 oils meeting the ChryCo spec to fulfill the warranty requirements. What oils meet those specs? Do any 0W-20 oils meet the specs? What do I need to do on my end to make sure I maintain the warranty when I'm doing all the work at home? What records do I need to keep? What are the oil filter options available for my Charger? I run Pennzoil 5W-30 oils in my old Jeep 4.0; is it okay to top off with that grade between changes? Owner's manual says it's "OKAY" if there isn't 5W-20 available, but will there be any long-term effects if used regularly? Should I change the oil early for the first OCI after break-in, or let it run its course until the computer says it's time to change? How many hours/miles will the engine need before it's fully broken-in?
I'm currently living in northern Idaho, between Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston. I mostly travel in the Pacific Northwest, but will be moving to Ohio this summer after graduation.
My driving style is mostly casual, but I do drive spiritedly at times. I take it easy on the car when I'm not ripping around town or on the highways. I'll either set the cruise or manually shift through the eight gears in town.
Most of the travel is short trips in town. Moscow is very small, with very few opportunities to cruise at higher speeds. I do take longer highway trips once in a while. I'll be driving to Missoula and back at the end of the month. After I move to Ohio, driving will be mostly commuting, with about 20-30% city and the rest highway.
I always let engines warm up to some degree for driving, and take it easy until the temps are up to normal operating range. Since the Charger has an oil temp gauge, I always try to make sure it has reached the 100° mark before driving.
Sorry for the novel! My $28,000 expenditure will last a long time, though, if I get all the minutiae set in stone! I love talking mechanics and have been wrenching on my own vehicles for a long time, so this isn't my first rodeo, it's just a different animal this time around.
Rob
My fiance and I just bought a brand new Rallye edition SXT Charger on Saturday. This is the first new car I've ever had, and I want to make sure that it lasts for 10 years or more without major issues. I've been loving it so far: the 300 horsepower and 30 MPG make it a pleasure to rip around and cruise in.
The car only had 110 miles when we picked it up, so we drove it on the highways and in town for the first 300 miles and made sure to vary the engine RPMs like the owner's manual said to do for break-in. We then drove it up to Moscow, ID from Caldwell/Boise, and it's sitting at right about 850 on the clock.
Obviously, I have a lot of questions, so I'll give you as much info as I can!
The owner's manual recommends using 5W-20 oils meeting the ChryCo spec to fulfill the warranty requirements. What oils meet those specs? Do any 0W-20 oils meet the specs? What do I need to do on my end to make sure I maintain the warranty when I'm doing all the work at home? What records do I need to keep? What are the oil filter options available for my Charger? I run Pennzoil 5W-30 oils in my old Jeep 4.0; is it okay to top off with that grade between changes? Owner's manual says it's "OKAY" if there isn't 5W-20 available, but will there be any long-term effects if used regularly? Should I change the oil early for the first OCI after break-in, or let it run its course until the computer says it's time to change? How many hours/miles will the engine need before it's fully broken-in?
I'm currently living in northern Idaho, between Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston. I mostly travel in the Pacific Northwest, but will be moving to Ohio this summer after graduation.
My driving style is mostly casual, but I do drive spiritedly at times. I take it easy on the car when I'm not ripping around town or on the highways. I'll either set the cruise or manually shift through the eight gears in town.
Most of the travel is short trips in town. Moscow is very small, with very few opportunities to cruise at higher speeds. I do take longer highway trips once in a while. I'll be driving to Missoula and back at the end of the month. After I move to Ohio, driving will be mostly commuting, with about 20-30% city and the rest highway.
I always let engines warm up to some degree for driving, and take it easy until the temps are up to normal operating range. Since the Charger has an oil temp gauge, I always try to make sure it has reached the 100° mark before driving.
Sorry for the novel! My $28,000 expenditure will last a long time, though, if I get all the minutiae set in stone! I love talking mechanics and have been wrenching on my own vehicles for a long time, so this isn't my first rodeo, it's just a different animal this time around.
Rob
