Page 57 of 496

nature, such as would identify a particular driver, ve- 
hicle, or crash, will be treated confidentially. Confidential
data will not be disclosed by DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion to any third party except when: 
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data 
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved 
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a 
DaimlerChrysler Corporation product 
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status 
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
•Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
• Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition 
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Seatbelt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Cruise control status
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time — babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2 
     
        
        Page 182 of 496

CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the 
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
NOTE: Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 
1000 rpm at elevated coolant temperatures to improve
engine cooling. 
NOTE:  If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of 
the gauge, the “Check Gages” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound. 
14. Security Light 
The light will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower rate after the alarm is set. The security
light will also come on for about two seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON.  15. Transmission Range Indicator (Automatic 
Transmissions Only)
When the gear selector lever is moved, this indicator
shows the automatic transmission gear range selected. 
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer 
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. 
If the odometer reading is changed during repair or 
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined. 
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To 
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the
Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip
mode, until the Trip Odometer resets.
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 
     
        
        Page 381 of 496

CAUTION!
To maintain your vehicle safely follow these guide- 
lines:
•Watch your vehicle’s mileage and check your Mainte- 
nance Schedules  regularly for required servicing. Ex- 
cessive wear or damage to certain vehicle components
can result if required services are not performed.
•If you have your vehicle undercoated, inspect for
undercoating material on the propeller shafts. Such
material could cause the shafts to become unbalanced
and result in drivetrain vibrations. Remove any under-
coating with solvent.
•If you have your vehicle undercoated, make sure no
undercoating material is sprayed on the exhaust sys-
tem or components of the seat belt system.  NOTE: 
It is not possible for the manufacturer and 
Cummins, Inc. to anticipate every possible circumstance
that can involve a potential hazard.
WARNING!
To maintain your vehicle safely and avoid personal
injury, follow these guidelines:
•Never spray or pour diesel fuel, flammable liquid or
starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner assembly, air
intake piping or turbocharger inlet in an attempt to
start the vehicle, unintended engine acceleration may
occur.
•Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending agent.
They can be unstable under certain conditions and be
hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel fuel.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 381
7 
     
        
        Page 390 of 496

Do not remove the top of the air filter housing to 
inspect the filter element on your diesel engine under
normal operating conditions. 
The clear plastic housing on the Filter Minder™ allows 
you to view the amount of air pressure drop across the
filter element. It consists of a diaphragm and a calibrated
spring sealed inside the plastic housing. As the air cleaner filter becomes clogged and air pressure drop 
across the filter element increases, a yellow disc travels
along a graduated scale on the side of the Filter
Minder™. 
The yellow disc will always show the greatest restriction 
experienced by the filter element. When the disc reaches
the red zone, the filter element may need to be replaced.
There is no other time or mileage interval for changing
the air cleaner filter element. 
If the vehicle experiences a sudden loss of engine power 
when being driven in heavy snow or rain or when
plowing snow, check the Filter Minder™
•If the Filter Minder™ is showing a plugged filter, the
filter should be visually inspected for snow/ice build
up or extreme water saturation.
•The filter is not damaged, remove all snow/ice, rein-
stall filter and reset the Filter Minder™.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 
     
        
        Page 407 of 496

•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check 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.
•If 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.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•Do 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.
Fan 
Inspection
Check the fan for cracks and bent or broken blades. If any 
of these conditions exist, you must replace the fan. Make
sure it is securely mounted. 
NOTE: This service procedure must be performed by a 
trained service technician. Make arrangements with your
authorized Dodge Truck Dealer for this inspection.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 407
7 
     
        
        Page 420 of 496
Maintenance Log and Service Chart — 24 Valve Cummins Turbo Diesel
Noise Systems Maintenance Chart and Service Log — Insert Month, Day, Year under column mileage closest to 
the mileage at which service was performed. 
MILES 7,500 15,000 22,500 30,000 37,500 45,000 52,500 60,000
KILOMETERS 12 000 24 000 36 000 48 000 60 000 72 000 84 000 96 000
Exhaust system- 
inspect 
Air cleaner 
assembly-inspect 
ODOMETER 
READING 
PERFORMED BY
PERFORMED AT
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 
     
        
        Page 421 of 496
Noise Systems Maintenance Chart and Service Log — Insert Month, Day, Year under column mileage closest to 
the mileage at which service was performed. 
MILES 67,500 75,000 82,500 90,000 97,500 84,000 105,00 112,500
KILOMETERS 108 000 120 000 132 000 144 000 126 000 156 000 168 000 181 000
Exhaust system- 
inspect 
Air cleaner 
assembly-inspect 
ODOMETER 
READING 
PERFORMED BY
PERFORMED AT
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 421
7 
     
        
        Page 450 of 496

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The “Scheduled” maintenance services, listed inbold 
type  in this section (Section 8) must be done at the times 
or mileages specified to assure the continued proper
functioning of the emission control system. These, and all
other maintenance services included in this manual,
should be done to provide best vehicle performance and
reliability. More frequent maintenance may be needed for
vehicles in severe operating conditions such as dusty
areas and very short trip driving. 
Inspection and service also should be done any time a 
malfunction is suspected. 
NOTE:  Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emis- 
sion control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part which has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES — 5.9L CUMMINS
TURBO DIESEL
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
required  service for your vehicle. 
First is Schedule  “B”. It is for vehicles that are operated 
under one or more of the following conditions that are
listed below and at the beginning of the schedule.
•Frequent short trips where the engine does not achieve
full operating temperature (operating temperature de-
fined as 190° F (66 ° C ) coolant temperature).
•Extensive engine idling (over 10 minutes per hour of 
operation) at ambient temperatures less than 32° F (0°
C).
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Frequent trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
450 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M  A I
N T
E
N A
N C E 
S 
C
H E
D
U L
E
S