Segment:
Full-size luxury sedan, positioned as a premium offering within the Chrysler lineup.
Target Audience:
Consumers seeking comfortable, spacious, and elegantly styled American sedans with a focus on ride quality and traditional luxury appointments.
Direct Competitors:
Ford Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, Chevrolet Caprice Classic, Cadillac DeVille, Buick LeSabre/Electra, Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight/Ninety-Eight.
Styling:
Distinctive formal styling, often featuring wire-spoke wheel covers and landau vinyl roofs on some trims, projecting an image of classic American luxury.
Powertrain:
Emphasis on smooth, torquey V8 engines and comfortable automatic transmissions, prioritizing effortless cruising over sporty performance.
Interior Appointments:
Spacious and plush interiors, often with velour or optional leather seating, wood grain accents, and a focus on passenger comfort.
Engine Mechanical:
Detailed diagnostic and repair procedures for all major engine components, including cylinder head, block, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, camshafts, timing systems, and lubrication.
Engine Performance:
Fuel system, ignition system, emission control systems, cooling system, intake manifold, exhaust system troubleshooting and repair.
Transmission:
Service and overhaul procedures for automatic transmissions, including torque converter, valve body, gear sets, clutch packs, and hydraulic systems.
Drivetrain:
Front-wheel drive axle, CV joints, differential, and drive shaft service.
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension components, including struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, bushings, and steering knuckle service.
Steering:
Power steering system diagnosis and repair, steering gear, steering column, and linkage service.
Brakes:
Hydraulic brake system, disc brake calipers, rotors, brake pads, drum brake shoes, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, ABS (if equipped) diagnostics and repair.
Electrical System:
Complete wiring diagrams, fuse box locations, relay functions, battery, charging system (alternator), starting system (starter motor) diagnosis and repair.
Body And Trim:
Body panel removal and installation, interior trim, door and window mechanisms, seat adjustments, hood and trunk latch service.
HVAC:
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system diagnosis, refrigerant handling, compressor, condenser, evaporator, and blower motor service.
Comfort And Convenience:
Power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control, mirror adjustment system service.
Troubleshooting:
Systematic diagnostic flowcharts and symptom-based troubleshooting guides for common and uncommon issues.
Preventive Maintenance:
Detailed instructions for routine maintenance tasks, including oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks, and lubrication.
Repair Procedures:
Step-by-step repair instructions with detailed diagrams and torque specifications for all major components.
Rebuilding Procedures:
Comprehensive overhaul instructions for engines and transmissions, including component measurement and replacement guidelines.
Specifications And Tolerances:
All critical specifications, torque values, engine clearances, and alignment data required for accurate repair.
Depth Of Information:
Factory-level technical detail suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIY mechanics.
Diagnostic Capabilities:
In-depth diagnostic strategies for electrical, fuel, and mechanical systems, including troubleshooting common failure modes.
Engine Displacement Liter:
5.2 (5.2L)
Engine Displacement Ci:
318 (318 cubic inches)
Engine Type:
V8, Overhead Valve (OHV), Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
Horsepower Gross Hp:
Approx. 170-190 hp (depending on year and specific tune)
Torque Gross Lb Ft:
Approx. 270-290 lb-ft (depending on year and specific tune)
0 60 Mph:
Approx. 9.0-10.5 seconds (typical for this class and era)
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline
Fuel Pump Pressure:
Approximately 31-45 PSI (check manual for exact specification)
Engine Code 318:
EGA (5.2L V8)
Transmission Type:
Automatic
Transmission Model:
TorqueFlite A727 (3-speed Automatic), later potentially A500/A518 (4-speed Automatic with Overdrive)
Optional Transmission Type:
N/A (primarily automatic) - however, some models might have received the 4-speed overdrive variants.
Transmission Fluid Type:
ATF+3 (or equivalent, e.g., Dexron III/Mercon)
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
Approximately 12-14 US quarts (with converter replacement, check manual for exact amount)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Rating:
Not directly rated by NHTSA in a comparable manner to modern vehicles. Older vehicle safety standards differed.
ABS:
Optional Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) available on some models, particularly later years.
Traction Control:
Rarely available or standard on these models.
Airbags:
Driver-side airbag standard; passenger-side airbag not commonly available until later model years, if at all.
Seat Belts:
Front and rear lap and shoulder belts. Automatic or manual seat belt systems may be present depending on regulatory requirements of the build year.
Child Safety Anchors:
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system not standard; child seat restraint systems would rely on seat belts.
Engine Oil And Filter Change:
Every 3,000 miles or 3 months (traditional interval for this era, using conventional oil).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Every 30,000 miles or 24 months (for severe use, more frequent recommended).
Coolant Flush:
Every 30,000 miles or 24 months.
Spark Plugs:
Inspect every 30,000 miles, replace as needed (typically copper core plugs).
Engine Oil Type And Viscosity:
API SG or higher, SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30 recommended (refer to manual for exact year/climate).
Coolant Type:
Chrysler Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (ethylene glycol based, typically green color).
Power Steering Fluid:
Chrysler Power Steering Fluid or equivalent.
Engine Performance Issues:
Stalling, rough idle due to vacuum leaks, distributor issues, EGR valve problems, fuel injector clogging.
Transmission Problems:
Harsh shifting, delayed engagement, slipping transmission, often related to valve body issues or low fluid pressure.
Electrical Gremlins:
Intermittent electrical issues, faulty relays, wiring harness degradation, especially in engine bay and door jambs.
Suspension And Steering:
Worn ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings leading to loose steering and poor handling. Power steering pump leaks.
Chrysler Legacy:
Chrysler has a long history of producing large, comfortable, and often luxurious American sedans, building on a legacy of innovation and upscale offerings.
Fifth Avenue Lineage:
The Fifth Avenue nameplate has been used by Chrysler on various large sedans, often as a premium trim level or a standalone model, emphasizing luxury and comfort, typically based on the platform of the Chrysler New Yorker or LeBaron.
Platform:
Based on the Chrysler J-body platform (a variation of the FM platform shared with Dodge Monaco and Eagle Premier).
Manufacturing Location:
United States (primarily St. Louis, Missouri or Newark, Delaware assembly plants).
Production Period:
The Fifth Avenue as a distinct model ran in this iteration from the mid-1980s through 1993. Earlier iterations existed under different model names.