Page 23 of 496

Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement battery is a 3V lithium 
2016 cell. This transmitter requires two batteries. 
NOTE: Do not touch the battery terminals that are on 
the back housing or the printed circuit board.  1. With transmitter buttons facing down, use a flat blade 
or dime to pry the two halves of the transmitter apart.
Make sure not to damage the rubber gasket during
removal. 
2. Remove and replace the batteries. Be careful not to 
disturb the metal terminal near the batteries. Install the
batteries with the positive terminal up, reference the note
 + SIDE UP
on the inside of the bottom half of the 
transmitter case. Avoid touching the new batteries with
your fingers. Skin oils may cause battery deterioration. If
you touch a battery, clean it with rubbing alcohol. 
3. To reassemble the transmitter case snap the two halves 
together. Make sure there is an even gap between the two
halves. Test transmitter operation.
Transmitter Battery Replacement
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
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        Page 245 of 496

Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside 
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases
turning on the Air-conditioning (pressing the snowflake
button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control,
air direction and blower speed to maintain comfort. 
As the temperature gets colder it may be necessary to 
direct air onto the windshield by using MIX Mode
position on the control. Adjust the temperature control
and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher blower
speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on the
windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
defrost mode. 
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a 
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows. 
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type. 
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic 
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245
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        Page 262 of 496

Block Heater Usage
A.Temperatures below 0°F (-18°C)
•Block Heater Required for 15W-40
•Block Heater Recommended for 5W-40 
B.  Temperatures below - 20°F (-29°C)
•Block Heater Required for 5W-40
Winter Front Usage
If a winter front or cold weather cover is to be used, a 
percentage of the total grille opening area must be left
uncovered to provide sufficient air flow to the charge air
cooler and automatic transmission oil cooler. The per-
centage of opening must be increased with the increasing
ambient air temperature and/or engine load. If the
cooling fan can be heard cycling frequently, increase the
size of the opening in the winter front. A suitable cold
weather cover is available from your Mopar  dealer.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery 
temperature decreases to 0°F (-18°). For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of 120 VAC
powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized Mopar  dealer.
Arctic Operation
Where there are no provisions to keep the engine warm 
when it is operating in ambient temperatures consistently
below (-10°F/-23°C), use 5W-40  syntheticengine oil and 
fuel that meets the requirements in Section 7, “Mainte-
nance Procedures,” Engine Oil Selection.
262 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
        Page 385 of 496

IfANY of these apply to you, then change your engine oil 
at every interval shown in schedule  Bof the Mainte- 
nance Schedules  section of this manual. 
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil 
at every interval shown on schedule  Aof the Mainte- 
nance Schedules  section of this manual. 
NOTE:  Most vehicles are operated under the conditions 
listed for Schedule  B.
Engine Oil Selection
1. Engine Oil Quality 
Use only oils conforming to API Ser-
vice CI-4. A sulfated ash limit is speci-
fied for lubrication oil used in Cum-
mins engines. Oils with a high ash
content may produce deposits on
valves that can progress to guttering  and valve burning. A maximum sulfated ash content of 
1.85 mass % is recommended for all oil used in the
engine. 
2. Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) 
The proper SAE viscosity of engine oil for the expected
ambient temperature range should be selected, as indi-
cated in the following chart: 
NOTE: 
The same oil change interval is to be followed 
for synthetic oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, syn-
thetic oil must meet the same performance specifications
as petroleum oil.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
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        Page 386 of 496

You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom- 
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added to Engine Oil
The manufacture strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes or lube odorants) to the engine oil. Engine oil is an engi- 
neered product and it’s performance may be impaired by
supplemental additives. 
NOTE: 
The manufacturer offers a lube odorant (Mopar 
Diesel Fresh) for diesel engines crankcases. The lube
odorant is recommended by the manufacturer to reduce
the sulfur smell that may occur during engine idling.
Engine Oil Filter
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for the
correct part number. The engine oil filter should be
changed at  everyengine oil change.
Engine Oil And Filter — Change
Operate the engine until the coolant temperature reaches 
140°F (60°C). Shut the engine off. Remove the oil drain
plug. 
Use a container that can hold at least 12 quarts (11.3 
Liters) to hold the used oil.
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 
     
        
        Page 391 of 496
A visual inspection of the air cleaner filter element is 
never recommended under normal circumstances. A
badly restricted element may appear clean while a soiled
element may be quite effective in filtering particles
without restricting air flow. Rely on the Filter Minder™
to determine when a filter change is necessary. 
After a new filter element is inserted, press the rubber 
button on the top of the Filter Minder™. This action will
reset the yellow disc to the clean position.
CAUTION!
When using an engine cleaner or a degreaser, be sure
to wrap and tape the Filter Minder™ to protect the
plastic housing from damage and discoloration.
CAUTION!
Many aftermarket performance air filter elements do
not adequately filter the air entering the engine. Use
of such filters can severely damage your engine.
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391
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        Page 412 of 496

with water or subjected to severe service, follow the 
recommended change intervals in Maintenance Schedule
“B” in Section 8 of this manual.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for the
correct lubricant type. 
NOTE: The presence of water in the gear lubricant will 
result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage. 
Limited-Slip Differentials  in vehicles equipped with 
10.5”/11.5” Axles  DO NOT REQUIRE any limited slip 
oil additive (friction modifiers).
Transfer Case — If Equipped 
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler 
plug. The fluid level should be to the bottom edge of the
filler plug hole with the vehicle in a level position.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for the
correct lubricant type.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped 
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler 
plug. If the level of the lubricant is more than 1/4” below
the bottom of the filler hole while the vehicle is on level
ground, enough lubricant should be added to bring the
level to the bottom of the filler hole.
412 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 
     
        
        Page 415 of 496

It is important that proper lubricant is used in the 
transmission. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for the correct lubricant type. A band adjustment
and filter change should be made at the time of the oil
change. 
The fluid and filter(s) should be changed and the bands 
adjusted (if equipped) ) as specified in the Maintenance
Schedule (Section 8). Vehicles having severe usage should
follow Maintenance Schedule “B” of the Maintenance
Schedule (Section 8). 
Severe usage consists of:
•Off-the-highway operation;
•Trailer towing;
•Snow plow operation;
•Prolonged operation with heavy loading, especially in 
hot weather. NOTE: 
If the transmission is disassembled for any 
reason, the fluid and filter should be changed, and the
bands adjusted (if equipped).
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any additives to the transmission. Exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be avoided,
since they may adversely affect seals.
Front Wheel Bearings
Front wheel bearings for all Dodge Ram Trucks are
sealed-for-life. They do not require greasing or seal
replacement. In some instances, these bearings will
“purge” excess grease and the bearing housing will look
slightly wet. This is normal.
•Periodic inspection for excess play is recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 415
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