Car question - making a smoother ride

[Telecaster]

I've driven a Chrysler 300 for six years and I plan to keep it about four more years. It has a reasonably smooth and quiet ride, but I was wondering if there was any way to make it even smoother and quieter? I know tires make a difference, I have Michelins that are not the quietest, but ranked fairly well. Can struts and other suspension parts be tuned or replaced?

 

[Texas40]

6 yrs and no new struts or shocks yet? Miles?
Yes replacing those items and even springs if high miles(200k or more) will return it to near new ride.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[doublesharp]

Tree huggers will hate me but let a little air out of the tires. 28 psi gives a softer ride.

 

[Telecaster]

About 55,000 miles. I wouldn't expect the suspension to wear out at that low a mileage.

As for tires, I'll have to try that.

 

[JayFramer]

I'd "buck up" as it were a juice on ter 'em.

I like a firmer ride, more money for shells and pieces.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPrwdifuTd8&t=128[/ame]

 

[Rastoff]

Wait, you have a 300 and you want a smoother ride? Dude, you have issues. Even more, you drive less than 10K a year. You don't spend a lot of time in the car, do you?

I don't think the upgrade is worth the price of the parts. You could go with larger tires. That will be the least expensive upgrade.

Another suggestion is to find someone with a Mini Cooper. Drive that car for a while and you'll think your 300 is smooth as glass.

 

[Telecaster]

Issues, he says.

 

[DeathGrip]

Tree huggers will hate me but let a little air out of the tires. 28 psi gives a softer ride.

I think that was part of the Explorer/Firestone problem.

It's probably OK around town but a bad idea at highway speeds on a hot day.

 

[rwsmith]

Get the biggest wheels...

....but don't get anything resembling a low profile tire. You want plenty of air and rubber between the rim and the road.

 

[LVSteve]

The Chrysler 300 can be a very fine riding car inn the right trim. Are the Michelins the originals? If so, then they are probably hard as hockey pucks after five years, particularly if you live where it is sunny and hot. Just replacing the existing boots may make the car smoother and quieter.

What size rims are on the car? It might be possible to go with a smaller rim with a higher profile tyre, giving you more sidewall. The size of the brakes will be the deciding factor. Big brakes need big rims.

One downside, it will likely make the steering and handling squishy..

 

[TX-Dennis]

....but don't get anything resembling a low profile tire. You want plenty of air and rubber between the rim and the road.

Exactly!

Smaller wheels with higher profile tires (similar overall diameter to stock) are not fashionable, but they will give you a smoother ride.

 

[loknload]

My 2010 300 came with Continentals on it and I replaced with the same.
The car has 67,000 miles on it and the ride is still super!
Maybe you should take a look at replacing the Michelins, especially if they weren't original to the car?

 

[meaneyedcatz]

probably not worn to be bad but replacing the wheel bearings will make a smoother and quitter ride.

 

[BruceM]

T

ree huggers will hate me but let a little air out of the tires. 28 psi gives a softer ride.

It is a very BAD idea to deviate from the car manufacturer's suggested inflation levels. Lowering the pressure for a softer ride causes the tire to wear unevenly on the outside edges of the tread plus the added flexing of the sidewalls can produce excess heat which leads to ply separation ( can we say Firestone?). Increasing the pressure from the mfg's recommendation to the maximum listed on the sidewall in order to increase fuel mileage causes excessive tread wear in the middle area of the tread. Both changes will alter the handling characteristics of the car including stopping distances among other things.

There are no simple ways to properly change the ride characteristics in the manner the OP desires. They would involve changing spring and struts/shocks among other things.

Bruce

 

[rwsmith]

That is very true indeed........

T

It is a very BAD idea to deviate from the car manufacturer's suggested inflation levels. Lowering the pressure for a softer ride causes the tire to wear unevenly on the outside edges of the tread plus the added flexing of the sidewalls can produce excess heat which leads to ply separation ( can we say Firestone?). Increasing the pressure from the mfg's recommendation to the maximum listed on the sidewall in order to increase fuel mileage causes excessive tread wear in the middle area of the tread. Both changes will alter the handling characteristics of the car including stopping distances among other things.

There are no simple ways to properly change the ride characteristics in the manner the OP desires. They would involve changing spring and struts/shocks among other things.

Bruce

But they don't have to run at 'maximum inflation pressure'. Also tire specs can be variable according to the purpose. Sidewall stiffness is a large factor. Someone who really knows tires can select a model that is mainly for comfort, though it may not have the speed rating or some other value the OEM has.

I didn't realize how much difference tire construction made, but I had a Merc Topaz that ate tires for breakfast. Mercury blamed the tires as it wouldn't keep all seasonal tired but a 'ribbed' tire design held up much better. (Ford/Merc were still stupid though. Who's heard of a car that can only use one type of tire?)

Someone who knows their stuff can specify a tire with comfort in mind. I've had good experiences with a large online company. I dpn't want to make an 'ad' here but they really know their stuff. PM if interested.


PS Remember when 32 psi was 'standard' tire pressure? Unless you were towing, then you added a couple of pounds.

 

[Triggernosis]

Find a good tire shop, an independent shop, probably, and have the tires "match balanced". Google it.

 

[Rule3]

About 55,000 miles. I wouldn't expect the suspension to wear out at that low a mileage.

As for tires, I'll have to try that.

I won't either. (struts, shocks)

Get new sneakers for it,

 

[Texas40]

About 55,000 miles. I wouldn't expect the suspension to wear out at that low a mileage.

As for tires, I'll have to try that.

Have you looked at them?
Any signs of leaks on them
50k is about when you should start to think about replacement.
28 psi will wear the outside edge but not center of tire due to under inflation. Actual an over pressured tire rides smoother.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Krell1]

Tires alone can make a big difference. Whenever I've needed them in the past I've always gone to reviews from places like Tire Rack. You can go through all the ratings and pick what you think would be the best for you.

I recently purchased a new Nissan Murano that came with 18" wheels. The rating for ride quality was interesting for this car. They rated ride quality better with the 18" wheels than the next model up from mine with 20" wheels. Apparently wheels also affect ride quality.