2005 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS steering wheel

Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............362
▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............363
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............364
▫Steering Linkage — Inspection............365
▫Half-Shaft Constant Velocity Joints.........365
▫Front Prop Shaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(4X4) Models........................365
▫Body Lubrication.....................366
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................366
▫Windshield Washers...................366
▫Exhaust System......................367
▫Cooling System.......................368
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......372▫Brake System........................372
▫Clutch Hydraulic System................374
▫Clutch Linkage.......................374
▫Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle
Fluid Level..........................374
▫Transfer Case........................375
▫Manual Transmission..................376
▫Automatic Transmission................377
▫Front Wheel Bearings..................380
▫Selection Of Lubricating Grease...........380
▫Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty For 3500 2-Wheel Drive And 4-Wheel
Drive Models Over 10,000 Lbs. (4 535 Kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating..............381
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Steering Linkage — Inspection
Whenever the vehicle is hoisted, all steering linkage
joints should be inspected for evidence of damage. If
seals are damaged, parts should be replaced to prevent
leakage or contamination of the grease. Lubricate the
steering linkage regularly according to the “Maintenance
Schedule” in this manual.
Half-shaft Constant Velocity Joints
All four- wheel- drive 1500 models are equipped with
four constant velocity joints. Periodic lubrication of these
joints is not required. However, the joint boots should be
inspected for external leakage or damage periodically. If
external leakage or damage is evident, the joint boot and
grease should be replaced immediately. Continued op-
eration could result in failure of the joint due to water
and dirt contamination of the grease. This would require
complete replacement of the joint assembly. Refer to the
Service Manual for the detailed replacement procedure.
Front Prop Shaft Lubrication — 2500/3500 (4X4)
Models
Lubricate the front driveshaft grease fitting at each oil
change listed in the appropriate Maintenance Schedule
for your vehicle (Schedule “A” and “B”). Use Mopar
type MS-6560 (lithium based grease), or equivalent.
Front Driveshaft Grease Fitting
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 365
7

Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 370
Exhaust Gas Caution..............70,158,288,368
Exhaust System....................70,367,368
Exterior Lighting........................ 117
Filters
Air Cleaner........................358,382
Engine Fuel.......................... 358
Engine Oil........................357,405
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 357
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 119
Flat Tire Stowage.....................326,336
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 291
Engine Oil........................... 290
Fuel Requirements..................289,290
Maintenance.......................... 291
Replacement Parts..................... 291Starting............................. 290
Flooded Engine Starting................... 230
Fluid, Brake........................... 406
Fluid Capacities......................... 403
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 377
Power Steering........................ 363
Fog Lights.......................... 118,402
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 152
Four Wheel Drive....................... 241
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 320
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 341
Front Axle............................. 374
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 380
Fuel................................. 282
Adding............................. 285
Filter............................... 358
Gauge.............................. 172
Octane Rating......................282,405
440 INDEX

Center Mounted Stop................... 397
Check Engine......................... 165
Courtesy/Reading..................... 129
Cruise.............................. 169
Daytime Running...................... 118
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 400
Fog ............................. 118,402
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 245
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 320
Headlights........................... 117
High Beam........................120,166
High Beam Indicator.................... 166
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 120
Instrument Cluster..................... 165
Intensity Control....................... 116
Interior........................... 115,129
Lights On Reminder.................... 118
Low Washer Fluid..................... 172
Passing............................. 120Seat Belt Reminder..................... 166
Service...........................390,391
Side Marker.......................... 401
Transfer Case......................... 245
Transmission Warning................173,304
Turn Signal.................. 119,166,391,395
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 165
Limited-Slip Differential................253,375
Loading Vehicle......................... 293
Tires ............................... 264
Locks................................. 15
Child Protection........................ 20
Door................................ 15
Ignition.............................. 13
Keys................................ 11
Power Door........................... 16
Steering Wheel......................... 13
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 60
Lubricants............................. 380
INDEX 443
10

Sunroof............................. 143
Windows............................. 31
Power Steering Fluid..................... 406
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 45
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 43
Programmable Electronic Features.........138,142
Programming Transmitters..............138,142
Radial Ply Tires......................... 272
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......369,371
Radio Operation......................174,191
Radio Remote Controls.................... 205
Radio (Sound Systems)...........174,180,191,197
Rear Axle............................. 374
Rear Wheel Bearings..................... 380
Reclining Front Seats..................... 109
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 405Recreational Towing...................... 309
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....310,313
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) . . . 311,315
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 283
Refrigerant............................ 363
Relays and Flashers...................... 389
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 43
Remote Keyless Entry..................... 22
Remote Sound System Controls.............. 205
Replacement Tires....................... 276
Reporting Safety Defects................... 432
Restraint, Head......................... 109
Restraints, Child.......................56,62
Rotation, Tires.......................... 280
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 71
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 71
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 432
Safety Information, Tire................... 259
446 INDEX

Side Airbag............................. 54
Signals, Turn........................... 119
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 278
Snow Plow............................ 305
Snow Tires............................ 280
Spare Tire..........................272,273
Spark Plugs............................ 358
Speed Control.......................... 125
Speedometer........................... 167
Starting............................... 229
Automatic Transmission................. 230
Engine Block Heater.................... 231
Engine Fails to Start.................... 230
Manual Transmission................... 229
Steering
Column Controls...................... 119
Column Lock.......................... 13
Linkage............................. 365
Power...........................259,363Wheel, Tilt........................... 123
Storage, Behind the Seat................... 150
Storage Compartment, Center Seat........... 150
Storage, Vehicle......................... 390
Storing Your Vehicle...................... 390
Sun Roof.............................. 143
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 277
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 356
Tachometer............................ 166
Tailgate............................... 157
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............60,64
Tilt Steering Column..................... 123
Tire and Loading Information Placard....264,265,277
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 263
Tire Markings.......................... 259
Tire Safety Information.................... 259
Tires ...............................71,268
Air Pressure.......................... 268
448 INDEX