3.5 Maintenance QUESTIONS

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 11:41 AM

I like to keep my 05 Magnum SXT 3.5 in tip top shape. I drive her hard when she's warmed up and I think she deserves to have the best maintenance possible. These are what I would like to do and have questions about:

Transmission Fluid: I want to flush and fill.
What are the top fluids I can buy? Performance, long lasting (synthetic), and if something is out there that causes the less amount of wear. What kind do I need to get?

Plugs: I want to replace.
I'm looking for new ones that are more efficient with performance and milage and durability. What are my choices that will do more help than harm?

Power Steering Fluid: I want to flush and fill.
I do need to do this. My fluid looks like crap from living in this cold. I would like something that performs and seals leaks if it is available.

Cabin Air Filter: I need to replace.
If anyone has the link on the how to replace this that would be great. I couldn't find it with the search. And is there anything out there that is a little better than the cheap filters?

Fuel Additive: To clean out anything from the fuel lines to the parts of the engine.
I just don't know what's out there so I'm asking people with experience.

Thanks for everyone who can help. If you have a place to get the products cheaper than somewhere else let me know or give a link. Please be specific in what you recommend. If there is something I am missing let me know too.

THANKS LX!

**Fargo59** · 01-27-2008, 03:54 PM

ok, the only ATF i will ever recommend is mopar ATF+4. its already synthetic, change it around 30,000km. i know this is a lot sooner than recommended, but its the filter that really needs changing. you will need a filter, o-ring, a tube of ATF silicone, a gallon of AFT+4, and a place to work on your car that you wont curse when you get fluid everywhere. valvoline makes an ATF+4 too, but make sure it is labelled as ATF+4. power steering fluid is ATF+4 as well. unless you opted for the cabin filter option, you probably dont have it with a v6. if you do, its behind the grille in the cowl area, passengers side. im not too sure about spark plugs. id stick with the NGK-R's that theyre currently using in production. but being an early release, you might have champions in it. as for additives, ive never been a fan of them, when i do an injector flush, i use the mopar condensed version that is connected to the fuel rail (needs to be done in a shop, as the tools cost approximately 500 bucks).

hope this helps.

**ZMagnum** · 01-27-2008, 04:00 PM

ATF+4 for transmission and power steering.
Stock platnum are good for 100,000 miles. Stick with them.
Get a cabin air filter from NC-SXT. His are better than OEM.
I've used STP fuel injector cleaner. Works great. You may also want to consider doing a Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner treatment if you've never done it. Make sure you follow Fnkychkn's instructions.
MOPAR Combustion Chamber Cleaner...nice!

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by fargo59

ok, the only ATF i will ever recommend is mopar ATF+4. its already synthetic, change it around 30,000km. i know this is a lot sooner than recommended, but its the filter that really needs changing. you will need a filter, o-ring, a tube of ATF silicone, a gallon of AFT+4, and a place to work on your car that you wont curse when you get fluid everywhere. valvoline makes an ATF+4 too, but make sure it is labelled as ATF+4. power steering fluid is ATF+4 as well. unless you opted for the cabin filter option, you probably dont have it with a v6. if you do, its behind the grille in the cowl area, passengers side. im not too sure about spark plugs. id stick with the NGK-R's that theyre currently using in production. but being an early release, you might have champions in it. as for additives, ive never been a fan of them, when i do an injector flush, i use the mopar condensed version that is connected to the fuel rail (needs to be done in a shop, as the tools cost approximately 500 bucks).

hope this helps.

Thank you!
I don't know much but I know with oil filters that you can get so called "high performance" ones. Are their such things for transmissions?

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by ZMagnum

ATF+4 for transmission and power steering.
Stock platnum are good for 100,000 miles. Stick with them.
Get a cabin air filter from NC-SXT. His are better than OEM.
I've used STP fuel injector cleaner. Works great. You may also want to consider doing a Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner treatment if you've never done it. Make sure you follow Fnkychkn's instructions.
MOPAR Combustion Chamber Cleaner...nice!

Do you know if anyone has done a write up of where to find the cabin filter (assuming I have one) and how to replace?

I think I will stick with the fuel additives (like STP) that are just poured into the gas itself. I don't want to reck an engine

**ZMagnum** · 01-27-2008, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Duke

Do you know if anyone has done a write up of where to find the cabin filter (assuming I have one) and how to replace?

I think I will stick with the fuel additives (like STP) that are just poured into the gas itself. I don't want to reck an engine

My SXT didn't have the cabin air filter. I added it. If you don't have it you will have to buy the whole unit and add it. I had to remove the windshield wipers, plastic cowl, and the black cross bar. It was a pain to fit in but I got it. Dupie24 did it and it's also in the KB I believe. Once the unit is installed the air filter itself is very easy to replace. No tools required. Just look on the passenger side cowl for the cover which is held in by 2 push tabs. Pull the tabs and swing the cover off. The filter is behind a plastic bar that pushes down to release it. The filter just slides in.

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by ZMagnum

My SXT didn't have the cabin air filter. I added it. If you don't have it you will have to buy the whole unit and add it. I had to remove the windshield wipers, plastic cowl, and the black cross bar. It was a pain to fit in but I got it. Dupie24 did it and it's also in the KB I believe. Once the unit is installed the air filter itself is very easy to replace. No tools required. Just look on the passenger side cowl for the cover which is held in by 2 push tabs. Pull the tabs and swing the cover off. The filter is behind a plastic bar that pushes down to release it. The filter just slides in.

Is it worth it even? I haven't had any air problems yet. Is it for dust, smell, or what?

**ZMagnum** · 01-27-2008, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Duke

Is it worth it even? I haven't had any air problems yet. Is it for dust, smell, or what?

It does help keep the Arizona dust out. NC-SXT's filters have a lot of carbon on them so they help with smell. OEM filters don't have that much carbon if any. It wasn't a huge difference but if nothing else the a/c ducts stay cleaner.

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by ZMagnum

It does help keep the Arizona dust out. NC-SXT's filters have a lot of carbon on them so they help with smell. OEM filters don't have that much carbon if any. It wasn't a huge difference but if nothing else the a/c ducts stay cleaner.

I'm going to stick with fluids and system cleaners right now. I'll put that one on the when I'm bored list.

**ZMagnum** · 01-27-2008, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Duke

I'm going to stick with fluids and system cleaners right now. I'll put that one on the when I'm bored list.

Sounds like a good idea. I wish I could be there to help you. It sure helps to have someone that's done it already.

Have you done the glovebox light yet?

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by ZMagnum

Sounds like a good idea. I wish I could be there to help you. It sure helps to have someone that's done it already.

Have you done the glovebox light yet?

Yeah, I did that one this last summer. I had to explain to the dealer why I wanted to do that and that I didn't need the wiring. JUST order the part for me! That's the only light socket that takes the 194 that hasn't fried my LEDs.

**ZMagnum** · 01-27-2008, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Duke

Yeah, I did that one this last summer. I had to explain to the dealer why I wanted to do that and that I didn't need the wiring. JUST order the part for me! That's the only light socket that takes the 194 that hasn't fried my LEDs.

Yeah, I had a 194 LED in mine as well. No problems. Now I have to do it all over again on my new Magnum. I really miss having a glovebox light. You get used to it.

**Fargo59** · 01-27-2008, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Duke

Thank you!
I don't know much but I know with oil filters that you can get so called "high performance" ones. Are their such things for transmissions?

not as far as i know, but its a 42RLE, its got quite a large filter already, same area as a NAG1 really. just change it every 30,000miles or 2 years or so. harsh driving, 1 year. i just rebuilt a 300m's 42le (same trans, front drive) because the guy never changed the filter or fluid. 150,000km on it. never been changed, the filter weighed 4 lbs. new ones are only a couple ounces.

**Duke** · 01-27-2008, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by fargo59

not as far as i know, but its a 42RLE, its got quite a large filter already, same area as a NAG1 really. just change it every 30,000miles or 2 years or so. harsh driving, 1 year. i just rebuilt a 300m's 42le (same trans, front drive) because the guy never changed the filter or fluid. 150,000km on it. never been changed, the filter weighed 4 lbs. new ones are only a couple ounces.

That ain't right. I don't get people who abuse their cars, but I guess some people just don't care.

**spinnercj8** · 01-28-2008, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by ZMagnum

Sounds like a good idea. I wish I could be there to help you. It sure helps to have someone that's done it already.

Have you done the glovebox light yet?

So how easy is the glove box light? I would like to have one but haven't had the time to look in to it!