2005 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL steering

CAUTION!
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your vehicle.
•When first towing a trailer, limit your speed to 50
mph (80 km/h) during the first 500 miles (805 km)
of towing.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedules” section of this manual (Section 8). When
towing a trailer, never exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR), or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight
(GCVW).
CAUTION!
When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or damage
to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, sus-
pension, body structure or tires.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle:
•the tongue weight of the trailer
•the weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle
•the weight of passenger’s and driver
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
The Hazard Warning switch is mounted on the top of the
steering column as shown in the illustration.
To engage the Hazard Warning lights, depress the button
on the top of the steering column. When the Hazard
Warning switch is activated, all directional turn signalswill flash off and on to warn oncoming traffic of an
emergency. Push the button a second time to turn off the
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning lights will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.
NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning lights
may discharge your battery.
314 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Engine Compartment....................338
▫5.9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel...........338

Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........339

Replacement Parts......................339

Dealer Service.........................340

Service Information.....................340

Maintenance Procedures..................343
▫Engine Oil..........................343
▫Drive Belt...........................348▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................349
▫Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......351
▫Maintenance Free Batteries...............354
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............355
▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............356
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............357
▫Steering Linkage — Inspection............357
▫Front Prop Shaft Lubrication.............358
7

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. Refer
to Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
•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.
Power Steering — Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type.
Front Suspension Ball Joints
The ball joints originally supplied with the vehicle are
permanently lubricated at the factory and do not require
service. The ball joints and seals should be inspected
whenever the vehicle is serviced for other reasons.
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357
7

Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.
Automatic Transmission MoparATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
Transfer Case MoparATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
Manual Transmission Fluid NV 4500 Mopar75W-85 Synthetic, API grade GL4, Mopar P/N 4874459 or equiva-
lent
Manual Transmission Fluid NV 5600 Moparmanual transmission fluid P/N 4874464 or equivalent.
Manual Transmission Fluid G-56 MoparATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent
Clutch Linkage Multipurpose Grease, NLGI Grade 2 E.P. or equivalent
Front and Rear Axle Fluid 2500/3500
ModelsGL-5 SAE 75W-90 Synthetic or equivalent Limited-Slip AAM Rear Axles
DO NOT REQUIREa limited slip additive.
Brake Master Cylinder MoparDOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used or equivalent. If DOT 3
brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recom-
mended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 399
7

Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 358
B-Pillar Location........................ 264
Brake Fluid............................ 399
Brake System........................256,366
Anti-Lock........................... 257
Disc Brakes.......................... 366
Fluid Check.......................... 367
Hoses.............................. 368
Master Cylinder....................... 367
Parking............................. 255
Warning Light........................ 166
Bulb Replacement....................... 385
Bulbs, Light............................ 384
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 393
Calibration, Compass..................... 132
Camper............................... 153
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 397
Capacities, Fluid........................ 397Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 356
Car Washes............................ 379
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............69,155
Cargo Light............................ 118
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 202
Cassette Tape Player................170,173,177
CD Changer......................175,186,191
CD Player..................183,187,190,193,196
Cellular Phone.......................... 83
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 391
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 147
Certification Label....................... 286
Charge Air Cooler....................... 365
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 261
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 162
Child Restraint.......................... 56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............60,63
INDEX 433
10

Child Seat............................56,62
Cigar Lighter........................... 144
Climate Control......................... 204
Clock................................ 170
Clutch Linkage Maintenance................ 368
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 203
Compact Disc Player..................177,183
Compact Spare Tire...................... 272
Compass...........................131,132
Compass Calibration..................... 132
Compass Variance....................... 133
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 128
Console, Overhead....................... 127
Contract, Service........................ 426
Cooling System......................... 361
Coolant Capacity...................... 397
Coolant Level......................... 361
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 364
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 362Inspection........................... 361
Radiator Cap......................... 364
Selection of Coolant..................363,398
Temperature Gauge..................... 165
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 124
Cup Holder............................ 145
Customer Assistance..................... 424
Daytime Running Lights................... 117
Dealer Service.......................... 340
Defroster, Rear Window..............81,210,214
Defroster, Windshield..................206,209
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 120
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 254
Dipsticks.............................. 343
Power Steering........................ 356
Disc Brakes............................ 366
Disposal.............................. 348
Engine Oil........................... 348
434 INDEX