Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Brand Perception:
Positioned as a premium, stylish, and powerful American sedan, often associated with a retro-modern design influence.
Key Competitors:
Cadillac DTS, Lincoln Town Car, Buick Lucerne, and import rivals like the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (though at a higher price point).
Design Philosophy:
Bold, distinctive styling with a long hood, upright grille, and classic American luxury cues.
Interior Appointments:
Spacious cabin, high-quality materials (for its class), comfortable seating, and a refined ride.
Powertrain:
Engine, transmission, exhaust, cooling system
Chassis:
Suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, tires
Electrical:
Battery, charging system, lighting, infotainment, power accessories, warning indicators
Body And Interior:
Doors, windows, seats, climate control, interior trim, locks, security system
Safety Systems:
Airbags, seat belts, ABS, traction control, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Operation:
Starting and operating the vehicle, shifting gears, parking
Maintenance:
Fluid checks and top-offs, tire pressure checks, basic cleaning, bulb replacement
Emergency Procedures:
What to do in case of a flat tire, overheating, battery discharge, breakdown
Instrumentation And Controls:
Understanding dashboard layout, gauge meanings, switch functions
Depth:
Designed for the owner, focusing on safe operation, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting. Does not contain in-depth diagnostic procedures or repair instructions typically found in service manuals.
Engine Code:
EZH (for 5.7L HEMI V8)
Engine Type:
5.7L V8 HEMI MDS
Displacement:
345 cubic inches (5654 cc)
Configuration:
V-8, 16-valve, overhead valve (OHV)
Horsepower:
340 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
390 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline, 89 octane recommended (91 octane for optimal performance)
Cylinder Deactivation:
Multi-Displacement System (MDS) for improved fuel economy in cruising conditions.
NHTSA Frontal Crash Driver:
5-Star
NHTSA Frontal Crash Passenger:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Impact Driver:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Impact Rear Passenger:
5-Star
IIHS Frontal Offset:
Good
Braking:
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
All-Speed Traction Control (ASR)
Stability Control:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Tire Pressure:
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Airbags:
Advanced multi-stage front airbags, front-seat side airbags, supplemental side-curtain airbags (for front and rear passengers)
Seat Belts:
3-point front seat belts with pretensioners, rear seat belts
Audio System:
Available Boston Acoustics premium audio system, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player. Uconnect Hands-Free Communication system often optional.
Navigation:
Optional factory navigation system.
Parking Assistance:
Available rear park assist system.
Lighting:
Available High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps.
Auxiliary Input:
Often available on premium audio systems for connecting external music devices.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 6,000-7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (depending on driving conditions and oil type).
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 6,000-8,000 miles.
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Approximately every 30,000 miles, or as needed based on inspection.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Approximately every 15,000-20,000 miles, or as needed.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-20 (synthetic recommended)
Engine Oil Capacity:
7 US quarts (6.6 liters) with filter change
Coolant Type:
Chrysler HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) Antifreeze/Engine Coolant, P-No. 05103539AA or equivalent.
Common Problems:
Early models could experience issues with transmission solenoids, EGR valve failures, and minor interior trim wear. The HEMI MDS system can sometimes be prone to lifter noise if not properly maintained. Some reports of water pump failures.
Brand History:
Chrysler, founded in 1925, has a long history of producing iconic and aspirational American vehicles, often emphasizing styling and comfort.
First Generation:
The Chrysler 300 was revived for the 2005 model year, based on the LX platform shared with the Dodge Charger and Magnum. It quickly gained recognition for its bold styling and powerful V8 engine options.
Manufacturing Location:
Brampton Assembly, Ontario, Canada
Design Award:
The Chrysler 300 series, including the 300C, was widely praised for its distinctive and attractive styling, often cited as a design standout.
Consumer Reports:
Consumer Reports ratings for this model year varied, with strengths in performance and comfort, but sometimes noted average reliability in certain areas compared to Japanese competitors.
