2006 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS octane

CAUTION!
3500 Dual Rear Tires have only one approved direc-
tion of rotation. This is to accommodate the asym-
metrical design (tread pattern) of the ON/OFF road
tire and the use of Outline White Letter (OWL) tires.
•When replacing a flat, the spare tire may have to
be remounted on the rim or installed at a different
location to maintain the correct placement of the
tire on the wheel relative to the tire/wheel posi-
tion on the truck. For example, if the spare is used
to replace an outer rear tire it will have to be
remounted on the rim so that the wheel is dished
inward. That way the tread design of asymmetri-
cal tires and the white writing of the OWL tires
will maintain proper position.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
All engines (except 5.7L engines) are de-
signed to meet all emissions regulations
and provide excellent fuel economy and
performance when using high quality un-
leaded “regular” gasoline having an oc-
tane rating of 87. The routine use of pre-
mium gasoline is not recommended.
Under normal conditions the use of premium fuel will
not provide a benefit over high quality regular gasolines
and in some circumstances may result in poorer perfor-
mance.
The 5.7L engine is designed to meet all
emissions regulations and provide satisfac-
tory fuel economy and performance when
using high quality unleaded gasoline hav-
ing an octane range of 87 to 89. The manu-
facturer recommends the use of 89 octane
for optimum performance.The routine use
3.7L/4.7L Engines
5.7L Engines
356 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with oxy-
genates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE and ETBE. Oxygen-
ates are required in some areas of the country during the
winter months to reduce carbon monoxide emissions.
Fuels blended with these oxygenates may be used in
your vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasolines containing METHANOL.
Gasoline containing methanol may damage critical
fuel system components.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese-containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasolines
blended with MMT provide no performance advantage
beyond gasolines of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT reduce spark plug
life and reduce emission system performance. We recom-
mend that gasolines free of MMT be used in your vehicle.
The MMT content of gasoline may not be indicated on
the gasoline pump; therefore, you should ask your gaso-
line retailer whether or not his/her gasoline contains
MMT.
It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at levels
higher than allowed in the United States. MMT is pro-
hibited in Federal and California reformulated gasolines.
358 STARTING AND OPERATING

Materials Added To Fuel
All gasolines sold in the United States are required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There-
fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s
performance:
•The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law.
Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance,
damage the emission control system.
•An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition
malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor or
some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate service.
Contact your dealer for service assistance.
•When pulling a heavy load or driving a fully loaded
vehicle when the humidity is low and the temperature
is high, use a premium unleaded fuel to help prevent
spark knock. If spark knock persists, lighten the load,
or engine piston damage may result.
•The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as
octane enhancers is not recommended. Many of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
STARTING AND OPERATING 359
5

FLEXIBLE FUEL— (Fleet Vehicles Only)
E-85 General Information
The information in this section is for Flexible Fuel ve-
hicles only. These vehicles can be identified by the unique
fuel filler door label that states Ethanol (E-85) or Un-
leaded Gasoline Only. This section only covers those
subjects that are unique to these vehicles. Please refer to
the other sections of this manual for information on
features that are common between Flexible Fuel and
gasoline only powered vehicles.
CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E-85 fuel filler door label can
operate on E-85.
ETHANOL FUEL (E-85)
E-85 is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel ethanol and
15% unleaded gasoline.
WARNING!
Ethanol vapors are extremely flammable and could
cause serious personal injury. Never have any smok-
ing materials lit in or near the vehicle when remov-
ing the fuel filler tube cap (gas cap) or filling the
tank. Do not use E-85 as a cleaning agent and never
use it near an open flame.
Fuel Requirements
Your vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mixture of
these two.
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel 3.7L/4.7L, 87 Octane5.7L, 89 Octane
1500 Shortbed Models 26 gal. 98L 1500 Longbed Models 35 gal. 132L
1500 Shortbed Models 34 gal. 128L
2500 Shortbed Models 34 gal. 128L 2500 Longbed Models 35 gal. 132L
3500 Shortbed Models 34 gal. 128L 3500 Longbed Models 35 gal. 132L
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 483
7

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Engine Coolant Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Or-
ganic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
3.7/4.7L Engine Oil Use SAE 5W-30, API Certified, meeting material standard MS-6395.
5.7L Engine Oil Use SAE 5W-20, API Certified, meeting material standard MS-6395.
Engine Oil Filter Mopar Engine Oil Filter, P/N 5281090 or equivalent.
Spark Plugs Refer to the Vehicle Emission Control Information label in the engine com- partment.
Fuel Selection (all except 5.7L) 87 Octane, (R+M)/2 Method
Fuel Selection (5.7L) 89 Octane, (R+M)/2 Method, Mid-Grade Preferred (87 Octane acceptable)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 485
7

Front Axle (Differential)................... 452
Front Wheel Bearings ..................... 457
Fuel ................................. 356
Filter ............................... 436
Gauge .............................. 226
Octane Rating ...................... 356,485
Requirements ...................... 356,483
Tank Capacity ........................ 483
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuses ................................ 466
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink ) ........... 183
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .................. 361
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 356
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 357
Gauges ............................... 219
Coolant Temperature .................... 221
Fuel ................................ 226
Oil Pressure .......................... 220 Speedometer
......................... 220
Tachometer .......................... 219
Voltmeter ............................ 219
Gear Ranges ........................ 299,305
Glass Cleaning .......................... 465
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 204
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 371
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 370
GVWR ............................... 367
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) ............. 121
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 398
Head Restraints ......................... 147
Headlights ............................ 470
High Beam ........................... 167
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 167
Lights On Reminder .................... 165
Passing ............................. 166
Switch .............................. 164
INDEX 523
10

Multi-Function Control Lever............... 166
Noise Control Maintenance .......................... 458
Tampering Prohibited ................458,459
Noise Emission Warranty .................. 460
Occupant Restraints ..................... 30,67
Occupant Restraints
(1500 Standard and Quad Cab Only) ........... 30
Occupant Restraints (2500/3500/Mega Cab Only) . . 67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 356
Odometer .......................... 222,226
Trip ............................. 222,226
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ............ 394
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ............ 394
Oil, Engine ......................... 431,485
Capacity ............................ 483
Change Interval ....................... 432 Dipstick
............................. 431
Disposal ............................ 435
Filter ............................ 435,485
Filter Disposal ........................ 435
Identification Logo ..................... 434
Materials Added to ..................... 434
Pressure Gauge ....................... 220
Recommendation ................... 433,483
Synthetic ............................ 434
Viscosity .......................... 434,483
Onboard Diagnostic System ................ 428
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink ) ........... 183
Operating Precautions .................... 428
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 117
Overdrive ............................. 301
Overdrive OFF Switch .................... 301
Overhead Console .................... 175,176
Overhead Travel Information Center .......... 176
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .......... 514
INDEX 527
10