Page 350 of 455

▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............367
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............367
▫Steering Linkage—Inspection............368
▫Front Prop Shaft Lubrication.............368
▫Body Lubrication.....................369
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................369
▫Windshield Washers...................369
▫Exhaust System......................370
▫Cooling System.......................371
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......375
▫Brake System........................376
▫Clutch Hydraulic System................377
▫Clutch Linkage.......................378▫Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level..............................378
▫Transfer Case........................379
▫Front Drive Shaft.....................379
▫Manual Transmission..................379
▫Automatic Transmission................380
▫Front Wheel Bearings..................383
▫Selection Of Lubricating Grease...........383
▫Noise Control System Required Maintenance
& Warranty.........................384
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................388
Fuse And Relay Center...................393
Vehicle Storage........................393
350 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 351 of 455
Replacement Light Bulbs.................394
Bulb Replacement......................394
▫Headlight (Halogen)/Front Park And Turn
Lights.............................394
▫Tail, Stop, Turn And Backup Lights.........398
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplight With Cargo
Light..............................400
▫Cab Top Clearance Lights—If Equipped....402▫Tailgate ID Lights (Dual Rear Wheels).......403
▫Fog Lights..........................405
Fluids And Capacities...................406
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine
Parts................................407
▫Engine.............................407
▫Chassis............................408
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 351
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Page 383 of 455

Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives to the transmission. Exception to
this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting
fluid leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be
avoided, since they may adversely affect seals.
Front Wheel Bearings
Front wheel bearings for all Dodge Ram Trucks are
sealed-for-life. They do not require greasing or seal
replacement. In some instances, these bearings will
“purge”excess grease and the bearing will look slightly
wet. This is normal. Periodic inspection for excess play is
recommended.
Rear Wheel Bearings—Manufacturer’s Axles
These bearings are normally considered permanently
lubricated. Cleaning and repacking is required only
when axle shafts are removed or in case of extreme water
or dust contamination.
Selection of Lubricating Grease
The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) has
developed a symbol (Certification Mark) to aid the
vehicle owner in the proper selection of grease for the
lubrication of wheel bearings and chassis components.
This symbol (an example is shown below) is located on
the grease container and identifies the application and
quality of the grease.
There are two groups
identified, those for wheel
bearings (Letter“G”) and
those for chassis (Letter
“L”) lubrication. Perfor-
mance categories within
these groups result in dual
letter designations for
each group. The letter des-
ignations shown in the ex-
ample are the highest
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
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Page 384 of 455
quality level available and when combined as shown can
be used for both wheel bearing and chassis lubrication.
Use only those greases that have the NLGI symbol on the
container along with the proper quality level for your
application.
Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty
All vehicles built over 10,000 lbs (4 535 kg) Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and manufactured for sale and use in the
United States are required to comply with the Federal
Government’s Exterior Noise Regulations. These vehicles
can be identified by the Noise Emission Control Label
located in the operator’s compartment.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 390 of 455

CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
Special Care
•
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
•It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and tailgate be kept clear
and open.
•If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
•If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
The cost of such repairs is considered the responsibil-
ity of the owner.
•All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly
with mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To
remove heavy soil, select a nonabrasive, non-acidic
cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle
brush or metal polishes. Only Mopar cleaners are
recommended. Do not use oven cleaner. Avoid auto-
matic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh
brushes that may damage the wheels’protective fin-
ish.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 391 of 455

•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
•Use Mopartouch up paint on scratches as soon as
possible. Your dealer has touch up paint to match the
color of your vehicle.
Interior Care
Use MoparFabric Cleaner to clean fabric upholstery
and carpeting.
Use MoparVinyl Cleaner to clean vinyl upholstery and
trim.
MoparTotal Clean is specifically recommended for
leather upholstery.Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MoparTotal Clean. Care should be taken to avoid
soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please
do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean your leather
upholstery. Application of a leather conditioner is not
required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391
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Page 403 of 455
3. Pull the bulb straight from the socket and replace.Tailgate ID Lights (Dual Rear Wheels)
1. Remove the two screws and housing and access the
bulb sockets from the rear.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
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Page 444 of 455

Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 374
Exhaust Gas Caution..............72,150,313,371
Exhaust System....................72,370,371
Exterior Lighting........................ 111
Filters
Air Cleaner........................361,385
Engine Fuel.......................... 362
Engine Oil........................360,407
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 360
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 113
Flat Tire Stowage.....................337,343
Flooded Engine Starting................... 268
Fluid, Brake........................... 408
Fluid Capacities......................... 406
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 380
Power Steering........................ 367Fog Lights.......................... 113,405
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 144
Four Wheel Drive....................... 277
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 334
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 347
Front Axle............................. 378
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 383
Fuel................................. 307
Adding............................. 309
Filter............................... 362
Gauge.............................. 164
Octane Rating......................307,407
Requirements......................307,406
Tank Capacity........................ 406
Fueling............................... 309
Fuses................................ 393
Garage Door Opener..................... 130
GasCap .............................. 310
444 INDEX