DIY Oil Change for Chrysler 300 (2011–2023): Step-by-Step Filter & Oil Replacement Guide

Last Updated on 2025-09-07

Today we’re setting off on a satisfying little expedition through the heart of the 300, Chrysler’s luxurious chariot, honing in on the 2011 through 2023 series. If you’re the sort who prefers the garage over the dealer’s lounge and believes in getting your hands a little greasy for the good of the ride, you’re exactly where you should be. So, slide a cold drink beside the planning board (pro tip: sip it after the wrench work), and let’s go through the ritual of swapping the engine oil and filter the right way.

The Preliminary Steps

First off, it's the 3.6L Pentastar that commands the show here – a polished, combat-proven V6 that’s powered everything from the family hauler to the engine roar of a muscle sedan. Nestled in the Chrysler 300, it strikes a balance between smooth and savage. Our mission in the driveway? A fresh round of oil and a new filter. Easy-peasy, except in our little caffeinated corner of the garage, the straightforward jobs have a knack for turning lyrical.

Here’s the sweet part: Chrysler spared us the ritual of prying off the engine cover to find the filter. The cartridge filter nestles atop the oil pump, and the design gods smiled on us. Still, if you’re the type who savors the sight of the breathing, blinking engine, or if fewer shadows on the work surface are your thing, you can slide the airbox cover aside for a clearer view.

Gather the gear:

Slice the underside of the airbox with the 8mm socket wrench humming the quiet song of reliability.
Loosen the intake clamp and slide it back, the silicone boot sighing in relief.
Finally, locate the little grey connector, press the tab, and pull – firm, but for heaven’s sake, don’t treat it like overdue rent. Bonus tip: If it’s chilly out, let the engine idle for a few minutes before your oil change – just enough to thin the oil so it drains quickly.
Avoid letting it get too hot; a gentle warmth is best, so you don’t burn your hands on the bowl, but the oil still flows nicely.

The Heart of the Operation

With the filter housing bared to the world like a hidden prize, grab a 24mm socket and unscrew the cap. If you haven’t got space, reach for a deep socket or a stubby wrench; a standard socket will do the job, but it’s wise to keep options open.

Once the cap’s off, the cartridge filter pops up with it, so plan for a drizzle of leftover oil. Towels, or better still, a catch basin, will save your floor.

Here are two reminders that go a long way:

Swap the O-ring. Your new filter comes with a fresh one, so don’t skip it; a smear of new oil on the edge keeps it seated and leak-proof. Look one last time to make sure the old one has not borrowed your filter housing. It’s a sneaky mistake that leads to two gaskets and one ruined morning.
Then, when you set the cap back on, stop when it feels tight enough. A gentle twist with your hand plus a little extra is perfect. It’s a plastic thread, not a steel bolt, so leave the power tools in the box.

The Underworld Adventure

Up the car goes, whether you’re firing up the ramps, sliding a jack-on-jack, or sitting under one of those hydraulic lifts, the point’s the same. Get it up safely: every time, use jack stands, even if you swear you’ll only peek under the hood. No exceptions, no shortcuts.

Creep under the belly and let your eyes hunt for the oil drain plug. It’s that shiny 17mm stud you’ll pull loose next. Slide a broad-mouth drain pan under it, because the 6 quarts you’re about to dump have zero interest in splattering the subframe.

Heads up: a few purists grab the vacuum oil extractor and pull from the filler neck – zero bends, zero mess, and zero snow on the driveway. It’s handy, and on a razor-thin town street, it’s grand. But drop the pan, and the process finishes cleaner, and you can eyeball the plug and its washer for sins.

Small sins matter, so swap the crush washer while you’re here. A glow-in-the-dark circle that costs a nickel stops a 50-dollar drip in its tracks. Feed it to the pan and let the black stream bleed out slowly and fully. When the last stubborn drop falls, crack the new oil bottle, inhale the hopeful, glow-in-the-dark scent of fresh life, and let the brave gold slip its way down the throat.

The Final Act

Once you’ve snugged the drain plug back down to its happy spot, around 20 to 25 lb-ft if you like numbers, it's time to pour in the good stuff.

Pop the oil filler cap and insert a funnel. Sneak in 5.9 quarts of the oil you trust most. Chrysler pushes for 5W-20 full synthetic, but if your 300's racked up a few miles, a high-mileage blend can’t hurt. If you flog it regularly or you bake in a hotter climate, trading up to 5W-30 can give a little extra buffer—just double-check your local guidelines and emissions rules first.

Let the car sit for a minute after pouring. Fire up the engine and let it idle. No full-throttle confrontations yet; it needs a moment to move the new oil around and find its chill.

After a couple of idle minutes, shut it off and reach for the dipstick. If the oil's up to or beyond the full mark, you’re in the clear. If it’s shy, add a splash, recheck, and repeat until you’ve hit the perfect mark.

Bonus Pro Tips & Rituals

Change your oil every 5,000 miles, even if the dealer recommends 10,000 miles. Your Pentastar will thank you. Especially if you live in areas with harsh winters, dusty roads, or do short commutes.
Keep a logbook of your oil changes, filters used, and any other maintenance. Future you (and potential buyers) will salute you.
Use rubber gloves to prevent oil from getting all over your hands. Or embrace the grease like a true mechanic – your call.
Don’t forget to reset your oil life monitor from the dashboard, hold the gas pedal for 10 seconds while in Run mode (engine off), or navigate the menu depending on your model year.

Conclusion: A Job Well Done

You’ve made it, from crouching in the gutter to the soft click of the new filter snug on the base, and you’ve handed your Chrysler 300 new blood. The engine purrs on the fresh grade, and for a moment, you can feel the little nervous vibration calm into thank you.

Now set down the wrench, pop a cold one, and give the old girl a long look. The grease will wash off the palms, but the memory of the throaty swig you poured in will never fade. You didn’t just swap a quart of crude – you showed the beast in the driveway that you speak the same language. That, plain as chrome, is how the true car guy measures days.