2004 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS check engine light

CAUTION!
If the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light is
flashing, immediate service is required; see onboard
diagnostics system section.
Materials Added To Fuel
All gasolines sold in the United States are required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There-
fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
ADDING FUEL
NOTE:If fuel is poured from a portable container, the
container should have a flexible nozzle long enough to
extend into the fuel filler tube.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop
offº the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:When the fuel nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the
fuel tank is full.
NOTE:Tighten the gas cap until you hear a ªclickingº
sound. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Make sure that the gas cap is tightened each
time the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle or on a
truck bed. You could be burned. Always place gas
containers on the ground while filling.
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
5

For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle's OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL light will blink for approximately 5 sec-
onds and then remain on until the first engine crank or
the key is turned off. This means that your vehicle's
OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnotproceed
to the I/M station.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 325
7

b. The MIL light will remain fully illuminated until the
first engine crank or the key is turned off. This means
that your vehicle's OBD system isreadyand you can
proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was recently
serviced or had a battery failure or replacement, you may
need to do nothing more than drive your vehicle as you
normally would in order for your OBD system to update.
A recheck with the above test routine may then indicate
that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
326 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant bottle, brake master
cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
²Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
²Check the manual transmission fluid level.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
Tire Rotation
²Rotate the tires at 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
386 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Adding Fuel........................259,295
Air Cleaner, Engine...................334,357
Air Conditioner Maintenance............327,338
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.......327,328,338,339
Air Conditioning System.............187,327,338
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 191
Air Pressure, Tires....................244,251
Airbag..............................45,50
Airbag Light.........................70,144
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 50
Airbag, Side............................ 53
Alarm..............................29,147
Alignment and Balance................... 250
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............346,379
Anti-Lock Brake System................... 231
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............148,232
Anti-Theft System.....................29,147
Appearance Care........................ 361Ashtray............................... 127
Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid......................... 353
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 355
Fluid Level Check...................... 352
Fluid Type........................354,382
Shift Indicator........................ 147
Shifting............................. 208
Special Additives...................... 355
Axle Fluid.......................272,350,382
Axle Lubrication.....................272,350
Ball Joints............................. 340
Battery............................... 337
Emergency Starting..................... 312
Bearings.............................. 355
Belts, Drive............................ 333
Belts, Seat.............................. 34
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 341
414 INDEX

B-Pillar Location........................ 239
Brake Fluid............................ 382
Brake System........................230,348
Anti-Lock.........................231,232
Disc Brakes.......................... 348
Hoses.............................. 349
Master Cylinder....................... 348
Parking............................. 229
Warning Light........................ 147
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 67
Bulb Replacement....................... 366
Bulbs, Light............................ 366
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 374
Calibration, Compass..................... 117
Camper............................... 135
Capacities, Fluid........................ 379
Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 339Car Washes............................ 361
Carbon Monoxide Warning............69,136,262
Cargo Light............................ 103
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 183
Cassette Tape Player................151,154,158
Catalytic Converter....................266,335
CD Changer...................155,166,172,173
CD Player..................164,168,171,175,177
Cellular Phone.......................... 79
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 372
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 129
Certification Label....................... 267
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 236
Check Engine Light...................... 143
Child Restraint........................55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,63
Child Seat............................56,62
Cigar Lighter........................... 127
INDEX 415
10

Exhaust System.......................69,343
Exterior Lighting........................ 101
Filters
Air Cleaner........................334,357
Engine Fuel.......................... 334
Engine Oil........................333,381
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 332
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 103
Flat Tire Stowage.....................301,311
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 265
Engine Oil........................... 264
Fuel Requirements..................262,263
Maintenance.......................... 265
Replacement Parts..................... 265
Starting............................. 265
Flooded Engine Starting................... 206Fluid, Brake........................... 382
Fluid Capacities......................... 379
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 352
Power Steering........................ 339
Fog Lights..........................102,378
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 130
Four Wheel Drive....................... 216
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 294
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 316
Front Axle............................. 350
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 355
Fuel................................. 256
Adding............................. 259
Filter............................... 334
Gauge.............................. 150
Octane Rating......................256,381
Requirements......................256,379
Tank Capacity........................ 379
418 INDEX

Hub Caps............................. 308
Ignition.............................14,204
Key ............................... 11,14
Lock................................ 14
Infant Restraint........................55,56
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 251
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 75
Instrument Cluster....................142,143
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 141
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 364
Interior Appearance Care.................. 363
Intermittent Wipers...................... 105
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 296
Jack Operation.......................... 302
Jump Starting.......................... 312Key, Replacement........................ 12
Key, Sentry............................. 11
Key-In Reminder......................... 11
Keyless Entry System...................... 22
Keys................................ 11,16
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 103
Lap Belts.............................. 42
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 34
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 59
Lights...............................70,99
Airbag............................55,144
Anti-Lock Warning..................148,232
Battery Saver......................... 100
Brake Warning........................ 147
Bulb Replacement...................... 366
Cap Top Clearance..................... 374
Center Mounted Stop................... 372
Check Engine......................... 143
420 INDEX