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Awesome car. I must say i do love the looks of them. My wife’s cousin has a couple she will post pictures of them all cleaned up and i always think they are sharp looking. When i saw your post about the mpg i had to do a double take. Then gave it some thought and remembered you were not miles but kilometers. So it made more sense. Also never realized they had an awd version.
Yeah, it is Imperial MPG, so just under 30 MPG US. Still impressive MPG for combined City and Highway. Pure Highway would hit 30 MPG, talking 4100 pounds for the AWD, basically the V8's weight. We can also get mid 20's Imperial MPG pulling our Lund boat around 60 mph, 20 if we speed. After using my 88 Cutlass in slimy launches, the AWD kicks *** but there are still truck only launches though even with added AWD extra inch of clearance.The AWD is only available with the 3.6 Pentastar V6, 305 HP and 268 TQ, high 14's in the 1/4 mile. The lighter duty ZF 8 speed can only fit with AWD still rated at over 400 ft/lbs. I personally think it is the tiny front diff as well not allowing the V8, it makes the GM 7.5" look big. Even 40% of the 5.7's 400+ ft/lbs would be pushing it. Love the car, almost 0 issues, just under 80,000 Km. Better in every way than the RWD 2010 Dodge Challenger with the ticking, oil burning POS 3.5 V6 we traded in.
Since I have put so many Kilometers on the Challenger in a short time, it is nearly at 10,000 km again. I used Castrol's Synthetic filter and Mobil 1 5W20 full synthetic last time. I am using a Pure One filter and our company's Sonic full synthetic Dexos approved 5W20 oil next oil change. I actually sucked in so many bugs into the Fram air filter, I lost 2 mpg. I bought another one and blew out this one later, being almost new for a spare. This car lives up to it's GT name, just awesome on the road, 160 km/hr comes quickly when passing idiots😁. I plan to do this tire rotation pattern as the new tires are at 12,000 km.
REARWARD CROSS
For vehicles that are 4-wheel, all-wheel, or rear-wheel drive, the rearward cross pattern is recommended. Rear tires are moved to the forward axle and kept on the same side of the vehicle while the front tires are moved to opposite sides of the rear axle.
I have pushed their limits, made them squeal doing drifts😉. One valve stem developed a slow leak, tire monitor showed a 2 psi drop. I topped it up, the next morning was down 5 psi, it was repaired for free with my coverage plan. Doing the rotation and oil change after one more trip to Regina, the Queen's city.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; August 19th, 2021 at 06:59 PM.
Tire rotation, oil change and cleaned the throttle body. I really pissed off a Camaro owner, he was really flying, I had to do 190+ km/hr to catch him. I pointed at his car and laughed, gave many thumbs down. I opened the window and him a little wave and he went down to the lake. Pretty sure I pissed him off, mission accomplished😁.
Drove through heavy rain, the AWD is seamless and you don't have slow down at all. The mileage loss is minimal in AWD and car feels more responsive with the intake tract cleaned out.
So owning this car has been great, over 80,000 Km now, nearly no issues. Doing 70 mph in pouring rain was no problem and the rain sensing wipers are another nice feature.
I picked up this from Amazon, basically double the cost of Fram locally. I used one in my last Challenger and in my Dakota as well. I really like the non oiled filters, saw MAF codes on Ford's with the oiled filters.
I am assuming dye. The one on the Dakota is still basically the same colour, I just blow it out. I am rapidly approaching the extended warranty. Unfortunately, it looks like AFE no longer makes the 3.6 Challenger down pipes with high flow cats. Not sure if a better X pipe itself is worth risking exhaust leaks. The exhaust is quite good, the cats are the most restrictive part, everything else is straight through 2.25". I am considering a functional Redeye hood and Hellcat air box that plugs in beside the the driver's side headlight. Also a tuned ECM, need to buy a spare and have it unlocked. Supposedly is worth 40 hp/tq. Even it is half that, it may be worth it. Here is a good shot of the AWD Challenger underneath.
My local Carquest guy turned me onto their "red" filters as he calls them. The red refers to the silicone surround of the element which has fewer pleats as compared to their other filters. I put one in my Series 2 swap, but don't have any hard data.
Whether this filter is worth anything at all, who knows. Too bad the AFE pipes aren't available, they claimed 7 hp and 11 ft/lbs. The X pipe will be minor, supposedly makes it slightly louder and deeper. Anything but stock exhaust sounds like *** on the 3.6, not touching the back half. I will eventually upgrade to the Dorman aluminum oil filter adapter/cooler from the factory plastic one, one of the few weak spots on this 3.6 motor.
Nice deal on the AWD, I was going to get one of these back in 2017 but I passed. I had a 2014 Hemi Challenger for one year and traded it in for a 2015 6 cylinder Challenger as the interiors and exterior re-design were nicer IMHO. I also had that car one year and was going to get the AWD GT but I decided enough was enough with the property taxes in CT on this car (would have been around $700 a year, more than the cost to insure it) and I bailed for a 1996 Cutlass Supreme instead.
I'll say one thing, I can sure see around the 96 Cutlass alot easier. That was one of the 2 big issues I had with the Challengers, they were tough to see around and the Hemi just didn't "feel" fast compared to the 2005 Mustang GT I used to have. Could be the fact the Mopar was an automatic and the Mustang was a manual.
Now I'm with a 1996 Cutlass that not only "feels" slow, it IS slow. Fine enough at $36 a year property taxes. They say if you have to ask how much you can't afford it. I should have listened.
The AWD, which automatic and seamless heated mirrors, cooled and heated front seats along with the heated steering wheel makes it a complete 12 month car. The back up camera and impact warning sensors help the visibility a lot. The adaptive cruise and auto dimming head lights are also very nice. Our 2010 Challenger SXT was half the car, RWD, the old interior wasn't as nice, no replacements available for the cracked drivers seat, only heated seats and the terrible ticking and oil burning 3.5 V6. It is has been the best car we have ever owned, as good as the 2005 Corolla and our 81 Delta 88.
People in Saskatchewan are horrible tail gaters, everyone should have it here. The closest setting is 3 car lengths, I only use that if people are being super aggressive. My Wife had a guy in BMW SUV stay one car length no matter how fast she went. She actually pulled over, he did too. Good thing he didn't approach her or he would have been missing teeth. I have had them too, not just in the Challenger, Dakota and both Olds too. I played cat and mouse with a Camaro, he was doing over 200 km/hr. It was fun but I still kept a reasonable distance. It is seriously that bad here.
A couple of guys have had issues with leakage on their Challenger's. The cooler was revised a few years back, also has leakage issues, supposedly fixed. I plan on buying a second AWD Challenger before they are gone.
Well that an unpleasant 5 hour drive. Around Saskatoon, it was easy, speed limit driving. The first 3 hours from Melville was shear ice, 70 km/hr. Needless to say, looking at getting studded tires put on. Thinking of the Goodyear Winter Command, in stock or possibly the Tiger Paw Winter, if available. I ran multiple sets of the Tire Paw and a couple of the Goodyear. Both have changed their design, so who knows. Studding adds $30 per tire. So over a grand for 4.
I paid for the Goodyear Tires. They better actually have them in stock. Ratings claim quiet and grip very well. The Michelin are too dam pricey and aren't studdable, the other tire they have in stock.
Well, I changed my mind on the 19" Winter tires that would have to switch twice a year, $100+ every spring and fall. So I was going through the local Facebook classifieds and came across four 18" aluminum rims with 235/60R18 studded tires, $500 which I paid. The same height as the factory 235/55R19, awesome. They looked really nice, universal bolt pattern with multi lug holes, tires had 9mm tread, 10mm new. They came off a 2012 Toyota Highlander which also has a 5x115 bolt pattern. Even more surprising they had very similar back spacing, I got him to measure 6.5". I measured the GT's factory wheel, also 6.5" from the back of the flange. Now the bad, no tire pressure sensors. No problem, coming from Amazon for $60 Canadian for all 4. I meet him they psychically fit, worried with the 14mm vs the 12mm Toyota studs. My lug nuts are way wrong. So I buy a set the same style as the the Toyota used, he included them. The bad, due to the stud 14mm studs I have to clearance around them to bolt them on. I have nothing but time when I not in the hospital. I bought a battery powered die grinder and solder iron combo. Still saved $500.
So I am getting around 18 mpg in the city. It is a 4000+ pound with the AWD engaged constantly in these temps. The highway mileage drops to 30 in Winter from 35-36 mpg average on the highway doing 65 to 70 mph. The heated steering wheel, seats and mirrors and instant on window defrost with command start are super nice. I saw this in the parking lot. This a 18 to 21 Blacktop AWD GT. Some things I like better than my 17, some things not as much.
Another thing to mention, besides being more reliable, fuel efficient and much more powerful than other Chrysler V6 I have owned, talking a 93 3.3, 2000 3.9 and 2010 3.5, is warm up and heat in this car. It warms up quickly in the cold, idling produces hot air, which is even more impressive. The others could idle for an hour and hardly produce heat at idle, a premium thermostat change did very little. It also doesn't run any noticeable amount warmer towing our boat in the Summer heat, also a bonus.
Ordered the Weather Tech floor mats in Black for the for the Driver and Passenger side. Almost no one sits in the back anymore. They cover the whole floor and are custom to every vehicle. The AWD Challenger has a unique floor pan and different mats because of it. Everyone who has them, loves them.
Well, 15 days later, after I sorted out the whole we don't take Debit Visa, technically ordered on Dec 13th, the Weather Tech mats have finally shipped. I will gets some pics this week of the new to me Winter aluminum rims and 235/60R18 studded tires, which are great. FYI, these tires are a 1/4" short on height than the advertised 29".
Good selection on those nice wheels. When you said you were getting 18 inchers, I wondered if they would clear the front calipers. They do, but not by much!
This style has as much room as the factory 19" very surprised and the right back spacing, not easy to find. When I got this to replace the 2010 SXT, I kept the 17" steel wheels. Nope, contacted the caliper even on the back since these have the R/T brakes. I kicked myself for not keeping the 18" aluminum off the 2010, they gave me a very far trade in. Problem is the back spacing, about an inch difference, sticking outside the fenders, so it all worked out. They even knew about the oil burning 3.5 POS on trade in. Dodge claimed a Liter in 5000 km was no problem. I asked the Service lady if she would like it if it was her car, she said no. It was worse on trade in, probably closer to 3000 km and a bad tick, usual for the 3.5 POS. A cracked driver's seat, with no replacement available, rust and electrical gremlins sprung up, goodbye. This car has been better in every way, just under 100,000 Km, especially in Winter.
The GT has done well for us, just over 100,000 KM. I got a solid mid 20's not speeding, towing the boat to the lake yesterday. I am collecting parts for upgrades, probably next year. I have the Dorman aluminum oil filter housing, Autolite Iridium spark plugs along with intake gaskets coming. I will probably pick up the PUG lower intake since for some weird reason Dodge still doesn't use it on the Challenger or any car Pentastar V6 for some reason. I may consider a throttle body and Hellcat lower air box and tube as well. The exhaust is tricky. It actually makes more of a difference than I thought, 10 WHP. Considering the factory stuff is all straight through. The factory stuff sounds great, just loud enough. With the manifold in head design, I have yet to hear a nice sounding aftermarket exhaust. Since I tow with it, not sure I could live with any drone. I also picked up this and will service the trans next year. I am not a huge fan of the plastic pan. While it is tucked up, there are rocks around boat launches. Still need to decide on the fluid. The OE brand of fluid supposedly meets the ZF spec.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; August 16th, 2022 at 06:31 AM.
An old post update and glad the see your improving your car as you wish. Everything your doing looks great. I just replaced the tires on my now 9K mile 21, 392 Widebody. The stock Pirelli's offered very little traction even at a 40-45 MPH roll. So after reading about tire selection for this type of car and power I went with Firestone 500 Firehawk 305/35/20 in all 4 corners. What a difference! This made a dramatic improvement on my 0-60 times, I'm in the 4.5-.4.7 range now and I'm not the best in the world at this as you younger guys. Run and maintain 31 PSI in the rears and 32 in the front. The rears stick pretty good , real good after a a little burn.Going into some hard turns in the Widebody the fronts do pretty good but I felt a little " give" the other day, on a hard turn on a smooth black top road in 104 degree temps. On a quiet traffic days I have had her up to 145 MPH and that's enough for me. It gets there easily with room to spare.
Nice! Yeah, these GT tires are Ok, around 40,000 km, definitely noticeable wear. Not sure if I will get another year out of them, even with the Winter rims and tires being on half the year. Hoping there will be a better tire selection when I do need a set.
Unfortunately those tires aren't available in the 235/55R19 I need. Too bad they look really nice. The 245/50R19 is the closest but still a half an inch shorter. The AWD has very deep offset even compared to the RWD. I believe another inch at least inboard. I made these GT tires squeal on hard corners as well.
Since I tow, Dodge recommends both diffs at 80,000 km and the Transfer Case fluid at 95,000 km. I found another service job needed due to leakage. Changed the oil, 0W20 full synthetic and the transfer case fluid. The Mopar fluid smells and looks like a light trans hydraulic fluid, took just over a liter, ridiculously expensive. I changed the rear diff fluid to full synthetic 75W90, no moisture in it. I have only been able to suck a bit out of the front diff. I may have to go to a timy hose. While I was dropping the engine oil, I noticed a wet spot at the trans with some oil blown back. I tightened the bolt that looked wet and cleaned with brake fluid. It looked better but I noticed oil in one groove. Cleaned again and really got a rag in there. Still getting wet, watching it, actually a slow drip. I am positive the pan has a minor crack. Good thing CT has 6 liters of LV fluid in stock that meets the ZF spec. I am really happy I bought an aluminum pan a few months back for the ZF 8 speed. It sounds like they take 5.5 liters. Glad I was paying attention and thinking ahead. I will have double check my level and check the trans temp with a temp gun after filling.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; November 5th, 2022 at 06:34 AM.
Well it could have not lost much fluid. I added 3 Liters and it was coming out. I realized it was slightly lower on the back. Using a level was pretty much bang on, I fit another 1/2 Liter. I ran it through the gears on the stands twice I had to add fluid. I ended up just over 4 Liters, the 845RE must take a bit less fluid than the bigger transmissions. Warmed it up for a good few minutes, trans was in that 30 to 80C range, just barely coming out the hole. Put the plug back in and test drove, it shifted perfectly.
So I took the Challenger GT for a 4 hour one way drive for my Wife's eye treatment. It started out having averaged 18.7 mpg Imperial from driving in town. Doing 100 km/hr, it was averaging 35 mpg in on icy roads in AWD! I am super impressed with that, had to slow down to 80 km/hr due to shitty, snow and ice packed roads, it went down to 30 mpg. I am betting 40 mpg won't be out of the question this Summer. I also found out it has the slightly upgraded BR5 brakes from the RT, not the BR9 Pursuit brakes like one article claimed. Easy to measure through the Monza Winter rims.
Installed the Spectre cold air intake, pretty easy. It looks pretty good. I ordered a Chinese Hellcat lower air box and tube for cheap, it may replace the filter and heat dam. Popped out the the two cold air inlets by the headlights. Pretty gentle but still broke one of the tabs. Still waiting on the tube for the passenger side inlet. Getting cheap mud flaps to block more heat from the coolant bottle and maybe on the dam wall.
I added these after the test drive, should help even more. Slightly more power and mileage. It sounds more aggressive. Some of the gain is no doubt removing that factory silencer tube, necks down pretty small.
August 9th, 2021, 05:39 PM
