Page 218 of 455

▫Materials Added To Fuel................309
▫Adding Fuel.........................309
▫Fuel System Cautions..................312
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............313
Catalytic Converter.....................313
Vehicle Loading........................315
▫Certification Label.....................315
Trailer Towing.........................318
▫To Maintain Warranty Coverage...........318
▫Axle Lubricant And Trailer Towing.........320
▫Trailer Towing Recommendations..........320
▫Trailer Towing—Hitches...............321▫Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes.............................322
▫Trailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight....323
▫Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................325
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors—If Equipped......326
▫Cooling System Tips—Trailer Towing......326
▫Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature
Warning Light.......................327
▫Towing With An Automatic Transmission....327
Snowplow............................328
▫Dodge Power Wagon Models.............328
218 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 357 of 455
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the ADD and SAFE markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the ADD mark will result in a SAFE reading on these
engines.Change Engine Oil
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
Road conditions as well as your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine if any apply to you:
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357
7
Page 366 of 455

WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Air Conditioning systems found to be contami-
nated with A/C System Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal
Conditioners, Compressor Oil, or Refrigerants not ap-
proved by the manufacturer, voids the warranty for the
Air Conditioning system.
366 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 380 of 455

Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level should be checked when the engine is
fully warmed up and the fluid in the transmission is at
normal operating temperature. Operation of the trans-
mission with an improper fluid level will greatly reduce
the life of the transmission and of the fluid. Check the
fluid level whenever the vehicle is serviced.
Fluid Level Check–545RFE
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 82°C (180°F). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (25 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (Park).
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the“HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
380 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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