Page 383 of 492
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............397
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............398
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............399
NSteering Linkage Ð Inspection............400
NFront Prop Shaft Lubrication.............400
NBody Lubrication.....................401
NWindshield Wiper Blades................401
NWindshield Washers...................401
NExhaust System......................402
NCooling System.......................403
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......408
NBrake System........................409
NClutch Hydraulic System................410NClutch Linkage.......................410
NRear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level..............................411
NTransfer Case........................412
NFront Drive Shaft.....................412
NManual Transmission..................412
NAutomatic Transmission................412
NFront Wheel Bearings..................415
NSelection Of Lubricating Grease...........416
NNoise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty...........................416
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................420
mFuses (Integrated Power Module)...........425
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 404 of 492
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Exhaust System Rubber Isolator and Loop-Type
Hanger Ð If Equipped
Inspect surfaces whenever the vehicle is hoisted for
rubber to metal separation or deep cracks. SLIGHT
CRACKING DUE TO WEATHERING DOES NOT AD-
VERSELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE. If, however, exces-
sively deep localized cracks are present, or any part of the
exhaust system abnormally contacts the underbody hard-
ware, the isolator and/or hanger should be replaced.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don't open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radia-
tor is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
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Page 405 of 492
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
coolant type.
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 406 of 492
CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT en-
gine coolants, may result in engine damage and may
decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher
concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below
234ÉF (237ÉC ) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405
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The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure
to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
²Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 409 of 492
²Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
²Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling indicate deterioration of the rubber.
Pay particular attention to those hoses nearest to high
heat sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose
routing to be sure hoses do not come in contact with any
heat source or moving component which may cause heat
damage or mechanical wear.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Tampering with Noise Control System Prohibited
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the causing
thereof: (1) the removal or rendering inoperative by any
person, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or
replacement, of any device or element of design incorpo-
rated into any new vehicle for the purpose of noise
control prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate
purchaser or while it is in use, or (2) the use of the vehicle
after such device or element of design has been removed
or rendered inoperative by any person.
Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
AIR CLEANER
²Removal of the air cleaner.
²Inverting the air cleaner lid.
²Removal of the air ducting.EXHAUST SYSTEM
²Removal or rendering inoperative exhaust system
components including the muffler or tailpipe.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
²Removal or rendering inoperative the fan clutch.
²Removal of the fan shroud.
Noise Emission Warranty
The manufacturer warrants that this vehicle as manufac-
tured by the manufacturer, was designed, built and
equipped to conform at the time it left the manufacturers
control with all applicable U.S. EPA Noise Control Regu-
lations.
This warranty covers this vehicle as designed, built and
equipped by the manufacturer, and is not limited to any
particular part, component or system of the vehicle
manufactured by the manufacturer. Defects in design,
418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel
5.7L, 89 Octane
2500 Shortbed Models 34 gal. 128L
2500 Longbed Models 35 gal. 132L
Engine Oil (with filter)
5.7L Engine V-8 (SAE 5W-20, API Certified). For trucks
operating under a gross combined weight ratingless
than 14,000 lbs.7.0 qts. 6.6L
5.7L Engine V-8 (SAE 5W-30, API Certified). For trucks
operating under a gross combined weight rating
greaterthan 14,000 lbs.7.0 qts. 6.6L
Cooling System
5.7L (MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula)18.7 qts. 17.7L
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