2004 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS Owners Manual

²Heavy Loading.
²Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
²Off-road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for Schedule9B9.
Second is ScheduleªAº. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
ule9B9.Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 385
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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
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Schedule ªBº
Follow schedule ªBº if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32É F (0É C).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90É F C (32É).
²Trailer towing.
²Snowplowing.
²Heavy Loading.
²Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
²Off-road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule9A9of the9Mainte-
nance Schedules9section of this manual.
SCHEDULE ªBº 387
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Miles 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,000 15,000
(Kilometers) (5 000) (10 000) (14 000) (19 000) (24 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings.X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
388 SCHEDULE ªBº
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Miles 18,000 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (29 000) (34 000) (38 000) (43 000) (48 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XXX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid and
change main sump filter (45RFE/545RFE only).X
SCHEDULE ªBº 389
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Miles 33,000 36,000 39,000 42,000 45,000
(Kilometers) (53 000) (58 000) (62 000) (67 000) (72 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
390 SCHEDULE ªBº
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Miles 48,000 51,000 54,000 57,000 60,000
(Kilometers) (77 000) (82 000) (86 000) (91 000) (96 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XXX
Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4X4). X
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Replace ignition cables.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid and
change main sump filter (45RFE/545RFE only).X
SCHEDULE ªBº 391
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Miles 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000 75,000
(Kilometers) (101 000) (106 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XX
Inspect engine air cleaner filter.X
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings.X
Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if re-
quired. (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L).X
392 SCHEDULE ªBº
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