Chrysler 300/300C

hardhawk

Don't look at what is and ask "why", but rather think of what can be and ask, "why not"..........

jeqq

I think I've been laughing out loud for about 10 minutes after reading these posts. Those of us from the Audi forums have grown to love Mark for his informative although loquacious style. I can just see the 300 guys scratching their heads after reading his post. God help them if Mark gets really serious about the 300C AWD.

bigmike5

AS one who has test driven the 300C and who owns a 300M, I recommend you consider stretching to a 300C if you can. The engine in the 300M is in the Touring and Limited models of the new 300. While it is a fine engine, it is pushing a lot more weight in the new car. My 300M is only good for about 8.5 seconds to 60 mph. I am sure the new Touring and Limited with the 3.5 won't do any/much better, and may be slower. He deserves to get there faster than the 3.5 engine will push him. Consider the 300C. A few thousand over the term of a purchase could be absorbed by a modest increase in the monthly payment.

kevm14

I may have disagreed with Mark in the past on AWD issues, but I fully agree on this "why" thing. I also field questions in that same style, trying to teach someone how to answer their own question, which is far more valuable than simply getting the answer. Why? Because answering your own questions works again and again, whereas knowing the correct answer is good one time only. The worst are the folks that fall into the adamant "I don't care why." Not only do they not ask why, but when confronted with why, they put up a brick wall!

bigelm

Having an AWD educated background (Subaru owner), I've found it very entertaining, nonetheless :-)

markcincinnati

Loquacious? I thought I was just bloviating! Now, however, I do have a question jegg, why would "300 guys" scratch their heads?

 

Just wondering. . .

jeqq

Bloviating? I had to look that one up. I opened up this post 10 hours later and I'm still laughing this one off.

 

Scratching their heads? Well I don't know I guess "Audi guys" scratch something else.

 

Jeff

jeqq

Going back to the 300c. I think it's got great potential, although there are issues, blinking interior lights, steering problems (pull to the right), and many build quality problems. At first I liked the look of the car, now I'm not too sure. At night the front end lights are very cool to look at. I saw one that had video screens recessed into the back of the front seat headrests. The paint job looks good too. I would not mind less chrome all around. The ride is comfy but can get bouncy at higher speeds.

 

I also noticed people tend to drive way too fast in them. I'm talking about not being responsible on the road. I know I'm going to get a lot of flack about this but I have to say that is what I have been seeing.

 

The AWD is certainly a big plus, but in the end I am not going for one.

 

That's it for now, I've got to go and check out the humps in my AWD car.

tayl0rd

jeqq, you can go to any other forum here and read the same type problems and more about any other car/manufacturer.

jeqq

Yes that maybe true for some problems, but the big problem for me is the pull to the right. As I have said before I experienced a momentary extreme pull on a test drive. It happened real quick and I wasn't really sure about it at the time. I just think Chrysler is not admitting to or addressing this problem in the proper way. Many people have the pull to the right problem and one person posted about having an accident while experiencing a momentary extreme pull.

 

That worries me.

mikeyjohn

I have had my car since last June 26th and have had no problems with it. They corrected the pull to the right prior to May 24th when my car was built. Where did this blinking lights come from, I sure never heard of it. It did happen on the 300M but this is a different car., and what about" many build quality problems" I sure never found this to be a problem. If you are not going to buy the car then fine, but I wish you would not come here and flame this car.

I have had several DC products over the years and my last car was a 300M and this is without a doubt the best car I have ever had, bar none.

dkrhardy

I'm lucky, or there are really and truly some GOOD 300C cars out there. No pull, no blinking lights, no ...... problems. I'm a "mature" owner, owned many cars, and I'm pretty darned picky. This is the best new car I've ever bought. IMO the ride does not get bouncy at higher speeds .....uhm not that I've EVER exceeded the limits! And why would you observe so many 300-ers speeding if it rode poorly? :-)

 

AWD humps? Saw something about a person that couldn't understand why they had center, front, and rear humps/bumps/tunnels. Jeez, all wheels driven=room for drivetrain. Am I right? :-)

jeqq

The 300C intrigued me enough to research and test-drive it 2 times. Like I said before it's got potential but also has its share of problems. I don't see how you can say I'm flaming the forum. If you read the posts there are enough people that have issues with their cars. I've had lemons in cars, computers, blenders, ect...and we all know what a pain in the butt that can be. Every auto mfg has it share of problems but a pull to the right and the momentary severe pull to the right gave me my reason for not getting this car. I've also read that steering problems are not new to Chrysler and we see from these forums it's still happening with the 300. Enjoy your car it's definitely a good looker and I look forward to seeing them on the road.

bigelm

Thanks jeqq for your feedback. We are fully aware of the problems but these already have TSB's out to fix them. Some dealers are still trying to rectify the issue because they're not knowledgeable enough to know the technical procedures of resolve.

 

But in any event, all cars have problems; regardless of brand (even those which cost 10k-20k more). At least Chrysler has not denied the problem and jumped fast to get the issue resolved. That, to me, says alot about the company, compared to others who choose to be in denial about their mistakes.

 

And just like any 'new' design vehicle, first year is always a risk. But I'll be waiting for my 300C AWD...

jeqq

Let us know how it is when you get it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I definitely agree about getting AWD. All that power and all four wheels gripping. The car will be a monster. When are expecting delivery?

jeqq

what you said is very true. When I had a problem with my Audi I had to take them to arbitration before they finally took action. Bad PR, but I think they are all like that. Big Business play the numbers game. If you don't push them they sit back and make money off of the percentages. For every 100 lemons probably only 10% pull through and make them take back or replace the vehicle. I'm curious if there are any statistics on this?

mikeyjohn

I still don't understand where you say this car has it's "share of problems" What are they? I am on another forum and sure haven't heard of them. You also talk about the accident that somebody had, I think it was found that he or she was a bad driver and it had nothing to do with the car. You also mentioned you drove the car twice and formed your opinion? I find this hard to believe, but then I will butt out of this topic before I really get going.

jake4

OK, I've read all your posts. Got my 300C on Nov 26th. Now it's Dec 16th... 835 miles later and have experienced no problems except the toggle knob on the nav system stopped working. Dealer will fix it when I bring it in. I can do 95% of the functions through steering wheel controls anyway. I'm driving it for a while to see if anything goes wrong, but nothing so far. I've been looking for things I don't like. One thing... I know there's an "Auto adjust" for the brightness of the nav screen but I'd like to do it manually. Maybe have another adjustment knob the same as the one for the dash??!! Don't like going into the settings for this. I suppose I can put a velcro strip up with a little curtain. I like everything else about the car. The heated seats are great. (cold where I am) It has plenty of power. The car has a good solid comfortable feel to it. It's hard to believe this car weighs 4000 lbs. when you accelerate. It's a fairly quiet ride.

laurbrad

I have had my 300C for over 2 months now. Just love it. My only issue was the passenger airbag light kept coming on and off. It eventually stopped doing this once the seat had been sat in a few times. The car still looks awesome to me. Never had any steering issues, the brakes are great, handles well, just overall superb. I'd recommend one to anyone. I'm interested in seeing how it does in the snow. I'm thinking heavily about snow tires but haven't gone that route yet. Chrysler should be putting a tire package together for snowy areas but they haven't to my knowledge.

jeqq

mikeyjohn,

 

Go to Chrysler 300 Owners: Problems & Solutions.

 

If you need any further assistance please feel free to ask.

shipo

The passenger side airbag light issue is not just the 300, or the 5-Series BMW, or even the Hyundai Elantra for that matter, it seems to be an issue with the NHTSA mandated OSC system that is currently being phased in on newer models. Unfortunately the manufacturers seem to have their hands tied when it comes to fixing this problem. :-(

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

fuzzywuzzy

Only applies to cars with side airbags in the seats. The light comes on when the airbag is disabled. It's for safety reasons. If someone is not in the seat correctly or a small child is in the seat the airbag will disable. My 2 Acura's do this.

jglackin

Actually, the Occupant Classification System (at least the one in question here) monitors the passenger side front airbag. We have had customers not realize exactly what the light is for and call when they have put a grocery bag in the front seat.

fuzzywuzzy

That's the next generation of it. Monitors front & side. Some cars monitor both some only 1 set.

fooe

I have not been on for a while this might have been a topic before, but is anybody experiencing a continously vibration when the car shuts down from 8 to 4 cylinders at 55 mph.I can even feel the vibration on the sterring wheel and also on the drivers seat. If someone has had this problem fixed ,what fix did the dealer do for you.When the car was new I didn't feel the vib. but now at 12,000 miles its there all the time when I am travelling at the freeway speed.I was wondering if there is a mod chip that we can swap on the computer so the car with just run in the 8 cylinder mode all the time.I am getting ready to leave on a long trip and would like to have this taken care of asap. Thanks.

jglackin

I think I may go in a different direction first. Question, can you feel the vibration when you know the car is using 8 cyl at 55 mph? I think what I'm getting at here is that the engine should not cause any vibes since it is balanced by 2 cyl on each side while in 4 cyl mode. You have 12000 miles. Usually vibrations that occur at specific speeds are due to tire issues. I think I'd have the tires balanced and see what happens next.

fooe

It doesn't vibrate at the lower speeds when it is in the 8 cylinder mode.It is a constant vibration after it shifts to the 4cyl mode from the 55 mph speed and up.Some people are saying maybe its the torque converter ?

jeep

What makes you think that it is the MDS shifting to 4 cyl at 55? It doesn't automatically do that. It shifts between the two modes at various speeds as the vehicle needs more or less power. In effect what you are experiencing is quite a common issue that most if not all of us have with the Hemi. It was addressed on another forum. Has something to do with the way the engine is configured. Will not harm anything

oedipus1608

The MDS system is not dependent on velocity, but rather acceleration. Therefore if the vibration is caused by the MDS system, it should occur during lower speeds as well.

rikk

What are you a head shrinker?

moparmaniac

This vibration has been addressed on other forums, and it is NOT the cylinders shutting down. Posters in other forums have stated that Chrysler has confirmed that the vibration, which occurs with a light pedal between around 40 and 55or so, is the result of a resonance set up in the exhaust system at those speeds with light demand. Many 300C owners have experienced this and it is normal.

 

Another vibration that that has been commented on comes from the Continental self-sealing tires. After the car sits, the sealing goop inside the tire, which is in semi liquid form, settles to the bottom of the tire which creates a slight imbalance which is felt as a vibration in the steering wheel around 60mph. After the car is driven for a while, it goes away. This will be experienced more often in colder weather.

fooe

if I leave the car in 4th gear it doesn't vibrate.It acts normal but will end up about 200 rpms higher than if it was in 5th gear.I don't want to drive it all the time in 4th gear, something tells me that gear isn't going to stand up to as much punishment as 5th gear.Going back to the dealer shortly to see what they come up with.

microrepair

By shifting into 4th, you have changed the engine rpm enough that it gets it out of the resonanace range noted in a previous message. Also, vehicle speed, at a constant throttle, is closely related to engine speed. Sounds like you are experiencing the exhaust resonance.

dkrhardy

All true. The resonance/vibration has been confirmed as only in 5th, and only at 55 MPH +- 3 or so MPH. No one should feel it at 40 MPH. Using 4th when I am going to be in the 55 MPH range and shifting when and if I exceed 55 has stopped my "problem". Try it, don't use 4th 100% of the time and I'm sure you'll be happy. PLUS it is an excuse to play with the AS!

 

I have had my C since early April, early buid with no problems, and more than 12,000 miles!

stephen

I got my 300C in May, and I noticed the vibration right away at moderate speeds when the MDS is in 4 cylinder mode. I suppose it could be exhaust system resonance, but there is one thing I can say absolutely, and that is that the vibration only occurs when the MDS is in 4 cylinder mode.

 

What I find about the MDS that is more displeasing than the vibration is the slight jerk of the car when approaching a grade that the 4 cylinder mode cannot handle. The shift to 8 cylinder mode is perceptible and gets annoying after awhile when driving 45 to 55 mph on a hilly country road. Driving in fourth gear eliminates both the vibration and the MDS transition surge.

 

It would be nice (for those of us that don't like the MDS) to have the option to turn it off. The car drives perfectly smooth at 75 mph but then I have to wonder if it ever runs in the 4 cylinder mode at that speed?

 

stephen

stephen

Vibration is apparently common. On the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Odyssey that use active cylinder management, the power pulses in three cylinder mode are so far apart that some vibration is inherent. Honda uses technology to hide vibrations.

 

Active Noise Control (ANC) uses sound waves generated from the audio speakers to cancel out any booming noise from the powertrain. The ANC controller uses a microphone to detect any noise and then generates a signal 180 degrees out of phase to cancel out the original noise.

 

The cancelling sound waves are emitted from the front and rear speakers during 3 cylinder operation. During 6 cylinder operation, the system is off.

 

Active control motor mounts controlled by the engine computer are also used to damp the cylinder switching. Solenoids damp fluid movement in the mounts, much like Cadillac's magnetic ride control instantly stiffens struts during braking and cornering.

 

(From Canadian Driver October 14, 2004)

stephen

I’m pickin’ up good vibrations

300C’s giving me excitations

I’m pickin’ up good vibrations

She’s giving me excitations

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh

I don't know where but she's sending me there

(my my what a sensation)

 

Gotta keep those lovin’ good vibrations

Good good good good vibrations

(I’m pickin’ up good vibrations)

golfgti4789

lol, nice start

djdeez78

Hopefully some of you guys might have an insighful answer to this question. I have 3 month old C with about 8,000 miles. Drives me nuts that I have to put so many miles on this car, but work calls for it. I have a number of problems but I've been able to "bear" with them. Right hand pull, metallic popping or click every morning from inside the middle console or dash, rough idle, erractic shifting, wheels make a cracking sound before they get "warmed up," window makes a weird dragging sound when I roll them down automatically, list goes on and on, all without any answers from the dealer...but anyways I was curious to know if anyone out there knows the lifespan of the engine??...i want to be able to drive this car as long as possible, but I also need to plan my future accordingly...if the engine is going to die before 100K, i'll probably need another car in 3 years, but is it the engine I should be worrying about or the transmission. I'm not really sure how comparable the 300C is to the longevity of the 300M. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

  

D

fuzzywuzzy

Most, if not all engines last past 100K miles. As long as you change the oil & do other maintance it should last a very long time. The tranny should also but don't quote on on that. I know DC has had problems in the past with this. However the track record with the LH cars have been VERY good. I think I heard of maybe 3 real tranny related problems from the LH cars on edmunds since 99. With that said the 300's are a new car with the first parts from MB from the merger. You have to think with a car that uses most powertrain parts from the MB parts bins those item would last a very long time.

dkrhardy

It is such a small vibration that 99.9% of passengers, maybe even drivers, won't even notice it. Some of us pay close attention to what is going on so we feel it. I THINK! Maybe just me. As for feeling it "jerk" out of 4 cyl to 8 cyl mode ...... I don't feel it. I sometimes think I can feel a very subtle change, but nothing even close to a jerky feeling. Your car may have some "perfect" combination of MDS and torque converter variations that gives you stronger MDS feelings. That sure sounds stupid, but I bet you get my drift. Did I say DRIFT? That is another subject, EH? BTW, no drift here! 12,000+ miles and no problems. It is also an early build car, go figure!

fooe

okay if the vibration at 55 mph is resonance,what is the explaination for exhaust resonance in words that I can relate to, also is there a way to fix it?

intrepidspirit

I can't recall where I read it, but one review of the 5.7 hemi engine said it was virtually indestructible...

stephen

Don,

 

You're right, it is a small vibration, just like what you would expect to experience if the 300C actually had a 4 cylinder engine that was under load in high gear on a slight upgrade. Certainly tolerable if getting an extra 2 miles per gallon is important.

 

I just wish they'd give us the option of shutting the MDS off and enjoying the luxury of a smooth and quiet driving experience for those of us willing to pay the price in reduced mileage.

 

stephen

sls002

Somewhere recently I read that the 4 cylinder mode would activate on level ground at speeds up to 80 MPH. So, to turn it off, cruise at 80+. More to the point, the faster you are going, the less the 4 cylinder mode is going to be active.

stephen

Don,

 

>>>As for feeling it "jerk" out of 4 cyl to 8 cyl mode ...... I don't feel it. I sometimes think I can feel a very subtle change <<<

 

Perhaps "jerk" is too strong a word. It is more of a slight surge when shifting from 4 to 8 cylinder mode, and only noticable on smooth, hilly roads at moderate, steady speeds, 50 to 60 mph. You can see the change take place by watching the tach. During the mode change, the tach briefly moves a little higher. For example on route 20 in Indiana just off I-69 going east, as you're driving along approaching an elevated grade, the vibration will gradually intensify. Then the MDS will switch the engine from 4 to 8. There is a slight surge and the vibration immediately disappears. You go up a hill nice and smooth, then down a hill nice and smooth to a flat surface. Then when approaching the next hill, the sequence of growing vibration, mode change, slight surge and smoothness repeats itself, one or two times per mile. That gets old after awhile, and a sensitive driver attuned to the automobile's machinations will want to shut the MDS off in those circumstances.

 

stephen

dkrhardy

I can't find my reference so my explanation will not be so very good. There is a resonance that is a combination of engine speed, trans speed, and, as I understand it most importantly, exhaust pulse speed that makes the thing that FEELS like a vibration. It is not a vibration like we usually think of like out of balance, but a pulse/harmonics sorta thing. Maybe more like the sounds of helicopter blades whacking their way through the air. That you can sorta feel too. So, change one of those things, like shift to 4th (engine speed) and you have broken the combo.

 

Now the world thinks I sound like a goof when I try to explain what I barely have a grasp of!! So, if anyone can explain this in better terms, PLEASE? Anyone? Anyone?

stephen

There is no vibration in 4th gear because the MDS is inoperative in 4th gear.

 

stephen

dkrhardy

OK, I won't even try to dispute that, but why would the MDS cause it? Would that then be another harmonics sort of thing? The explanation I referred to was by a DC engineer, I THINK! :-)

stephen

Don,

 

MDS is the indirect cause of the vibration. That is the way the engine naturally operates when it is 4 cylinder mode under a slight load at midrange speeds.

 

Gosh, just today I was driving my 2005 4-cylinder Colorado pickup truck and when it is lugging on a slight upgrade at moderate speeds, it has the same sound, the same vibration.

 

stephen