Greetings 1st time Dodge owner

**rhymemaze** · 02-08-2006, 07:50 AM

Hi. Great forum. Already learned much. We just got an 05 Magnum (Inferno Red Tinted Pearl Coat...what is the difference between that and the Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat and why does it cost ~$200 more for red??) for the wife. I still need to sign up at a photo site to show some pics. Ended up with a SXT RWD model. I never owned A Chrysler/Dodge product before so I am very interested in learning the basics on oil changes, maintanence, and just about the car in general.

The only customizing I have on the list right now is getting some fog lights, and splash guards. Eventually, I would like to get some long lasting chrome or other shiny aluminum wheels (18-20in). Any recommendations on some high quality wheels at a good cost? The "stick on" chrome products look nice (for mirrors, door handles, etc.) but am concerned that the chrome look will peel eventually...any truth in that?

It seems that our Magnum has the "pull to the right" syndrome which I see is fairly common on early 05's. It is going in tomorrow to get the TSB taken care of. We don't have any other problems with the car so far except the speaker system. Whenever the car is turned to the ACC or ON position (electric power) there is this faint "click" that sounds like it is coming from the front speakers or dash. Anyone experience that?...if so what was the fix? We have the Uconnect, upgraded Boston Acoustic speakers and the 6 CD/mp3 player. I wonder if there is a bad ground or something. Also, the Boston Acoustic "6" speakers really seems like 4. I get three way out of the front dash speakers, but only some mid and bass in the door speakers....Is that normal?
...On a good note with the radio/speakers, I just dumped a few hundred for the lifetime Sirius subscription...that is a nice feature.

Back to the oil changes...I saw a post here with some pics. I do have some questions though. I will be changing oil with a jack, not a lift. Where is the best place to put the jack so I can get to everything easily? I am hoping that I will be able to take the belly pan off and do the oil change at one time (without moving jack around to get that belly pan off). Is that possible?...Can anyone who does their own oil changes in this manner help me think this through? Or point me to some online resources (diagrams, repair manuals)?

Anyways, glad to be a member and look forward to learning all about our car. Thanks for any input on my initial questions here.

**HotRodK** · 02-08-2006, 08:18 AM

Welcome to the site from another Magnum newbie. We were loyal Ford owners for the past 18 years until we bought our Ram Q/C in late '04. Then we bought a Neon SRT-4, and last month our Magnum SRT. Seems noone else wants to play in the performance arena, so we jumped on the Dodges. Im sure you will be happy with yours too.

**COLORADOMAGNUM** · 02-08-2006, 11:29 AM

Welcome from Denver from another SXT owner. Dodge has always charged more for Inferno Red. It was a $225 option on the Magnum, and a $225 option on the 2001 Grand Caravan we used to own. It's Dodge's "signature" color. As for the oil changes. I have access to a lift here at work so I don't have to do it with a jack. I would recommend a good pair of jack stands, or ramps. Makes things much safer. Enjoy the car and this site.

**rhymemaze** · 02-08-2006, 11:47 AM

coloradomagnum,

thanks for the tip. Do you know what kind of ramps (brand) I could get that won't scratch up the paint on the front (or back) end of the Magnum as I drive it up?

**GoofyTimL** · 02-08-2006, 11:56 AM

Welcome from our 300C in WV. Plenty of Magnum owners around here to get at all your questions.

**boggart** · 02-08-2006, 12:42 PM

Welcome to the site.

Haven't heard anyone else report the clicking in the radio, have your dealer check that out. As for the speakers, that is very common. The doors are for the bass, and you can barely hear anything from the rear speakers. Only resolution to that is to fade it to the back one or two clicks, but then you'll lose bass.

Oil changes, I can't get mine on ramps, my car just pushes the ramps to the end of the garage. Thought it might be because my floor was slick so I tried it in my asphalt driveway, same thing. Ramps are useless to me. But yes, when you jack the car up from the approved jack points, found in your owners manual, you will be able to remove the belly pan and change the oil without repositioning the jack. Jack Stands are always recommended, but entirely un-necessary if your jack maintains its lift. Don't be tempted to leave the belly pan off, it protects your aluminum engine from road debris.

Oh, and the red. It's a pearl color, that's why the upcharge. It's a multi stage paint. Any brand would charge more for it.

Glad to see another SXT on board.

**iRock** · 02-08-2006, 01:25 PM

Welcome your car sounds very pretty. There's lots of fun here as well.

**SeadooSandi** · 02-08-2006, 02:38 PM

Welcome to the forum!

**rhymemaze** · 02-09-2006, 05:54 AM

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. Quite a different vibe here from a tech forum that I frequent. The Magnum goes in today for some fog lights and to get some of thie issues (I mentioned earlier) cleared up.

**Aikidoka** · 02-09-2006, 09:06 AM

Glad to have you with us. Lets see some pics of your new ride.

**rhymemaze** · 02-09-2006, 09:50 AM

Here's my Magnum. It won't even begin to compare with a lot of your custom rides, but it is still pretty sweet.

My wife is on her way to the dealer for fog lamps , that infamous "pull to the right" fix, and am picking up some splash guards (save that paint a bit I hope). I need to start looking for some wheels to put on after winter.

**NC-SXT** · 02-09-2006, 10:15 AM

Welcome to the forum. Great ride you have there. Be careful when only using a jack. We almost had a member(Grinner) hurt badly when his jack failed. He uses jack stands now. A cheep wheel change would be the 18" rt wheels.

**rhymemaze** · 02-09-2006, 10:59 AM

NC-SXT,

thanks for the info. My jack holds it's lift, but can you recommend any jack stands for the car? I guess I could lift it with my jack and then put the jack stands under to be safe. Prolly would be a better solution.

With the RT wheels, how much is that option?

**Hardrock** · 02-09-2006, 11:16 AM

Hey rhymemaze, welcome to the forum. The RT wheels are nice. You should be able to find them on ebay . . . just the 18" RT rims about $370.00, 18" RT rims & tires about $700.00, 18" RT rims chromed (no tires) about $550.00. Plus shipping of course. You may be able to find a set of take-offs for less than the $700 on occasion. I would have gotten a set of them if I didn't have AWD (different offset). Hope you enjoy the forum and the ride.