2005 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................73
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................159
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................223
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................319
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................345
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................407
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................427
10INDEX....................................................................435
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
4 INTRODUCTION

Maintaining Your Airbag Systems
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in an impact. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
•The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
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Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality, energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with the anticipated cli-
matic conditions under which vehicle operation will
occur. The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
discussed in Section 7 under Maintenance Procedures,
Engine Oil.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........137
▫Programming Homelink................138
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 141
▫Using Homelink......................142
▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............142
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 142
▫Security............................143

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............143
▫Opening Sunroof - Express..............144
▫Closing Sunroof - Express...............144
▫Pinch Protect Feature...................145
▫Pinch Protect Override.................145▫Venting Sunroof - Express...............145
▫Sunshade Operation...................145
▫Wind Buffeting.......................146
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................146
▫Ignition Off Operation..................146
▫Sunroof Fully Closed...................146

Electrical Power Outlets..................147

Cigar Lighter And Ash Receiver............148

Cupholders...........................149
▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders —
Automatic Transmission Only............149
▫Rear Cupholder — Quad Cab — If
Equipped...........................149
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
The power sunroof switches remain active for 10 minutes
after the ignition switch has been turned off. Opening
either front door will cancel this feature.
Sunroof Fully Closed
Press the switch forward and release to ensure that the
sunroof is fully closed.
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Mode..............................189
▫Tape CD Button......................189
▫Time Button.........................189
▫Scan Button.........................189
▫CD Changer Control Capability — If
Equipped...........................189

Sales Code RBK—AM/ FM Stereo Radio With
CD Player And CD Changer Controls........191
▫Radio Operation......................191
▫CD Player Operation...................193
▫CD Changer Control Capability — If
Equipped...........................195

Sales Code RBQ—AM/FM Stereo Radio With
6 - Disc CD Changer....................197▫Radio Operation......................198
▫CD Player Operation...................200

Remote Sound System Controls — If Equipped . . 205
▫Radio Operation......................205
▫Tape Player.........................206
▫CD Player..........................206

Cassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......206

Compact Disc Maintenance................207

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........208

Climate Controls.......................208
▫Heater Only — Fleet Vehicles.............209
▫Air Conditioning—If Equipped...........211
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 161
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Tape Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
selection on the cassette. Pressing the bottom of the
switch once will go to the beginning of the current
selection or to the beginning of the previous selection if it
is within the first 5 seconds of the current selection.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second selection, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within one second
after the current track begins to play.If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.
2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL