there is a screw on my new reel and it is listed as the maintenance port on the rather unimpressive manual that came with the reel. What is this for??? thanks

One drop of the supplied Shimano oil. I add one drop to my Stradics before I leave the house.

Actually that port opens up right over the nylon idler gear for driving the oscillation of the spool. When the reel is manufactured the last thing done is to place that cove, but before, they squirt some of their gear grease into it and then close it.

There is only one gear in the body that gets oiled, and you must remove the side plate to do so properly. It is the worm gear and pawl that drives the spool oscillation, the main drive and pinion gears get greased, and again you must open the reel to do so properly.

Just my .02¢

Tight Lines!!!!!