2008 DODGE RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB maintenance

Drive Belts (Gas Engines)
Belt tension is controlled by means of an automatic
tensioner. No belt tension adjustments are required.
However, belt and belt tensioner condition should be
inspected at the specified intervals and replaced if re-
quired. See your authorized dealer for service.
At the mileage indicated in the maintenance schedule, all
belts and tensioner should be checked for condition.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks,
glazing or frayed cords and replaced if there is indication
of damage which could result in belt failure. Low gen-
erator belt tension can cause battery failure.
Also check belt routing to make sure there is no interfer-
ence between the belts and other engine components.
Drive Belt (Diesel Engines)
Inspection
Check the belt for intersecting cracks.
²Transverse (across the belt width) cracks are accept-
able.
²Longitudinal (direction of belt length) cracks that
intersect with transverse cracks are NOT acceptable.
Replace the belt if it has unacceptable cracks, is frayed or
has pieces of material missing.
The engine speed sensor, located near the damper, should
be inspected for damage if a belt is frayed.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter (Gas Engines)
Follow the appropriate Maintenance Schedule for recom-
mended Air Cleaner Replacement intervals.
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WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. Do not remove the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc) unless such removal is necessary
for repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter (Diesel Engines)
CAUTION!
All air entering the engine intake must be filtered.
The abrasive particles in unfiltered air will cause
rapid wear to engine components.
The air filter housing on your Diesel Ram is equipped
with a Filter MinderŸ. This is an air flow restriction
gauge that will indicate when the filter element needs to
be replaced.
Do not remove the top of the air filter housing to
inspect the filter element on your diesel engine under
normal operating conditions.
NOTE:The air filter housing contains a Mass Air Flow
sensor. This sensor is critical to proper engine operation
and component longevity. Any damage or modification
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mixture in excess of 5% can negatively impact the on-
engine fuel filter's ability to separate water from the fuel,
resulting in high pressure fuel system corrosion or dam-
age.
NOTE:As sufficient testing has not been completed,
ethanol blends are not recommended or approved for use
with your Cummins Diesel equipped vehicle.
NOTE:In addition, commercially available fuel addi-
tives are not necessary for the proper operation of your
Cummins Diesel equipped vehicle.
Engine Fuel Filter (Gas Engines)
A plugged fuel filter can cause stalling, limit the speed at
which a vehicle can be driven or cause hard starting.
Should an excessive amount of dirt accumulate in the
fuel tank, frequent filter replacement may be necessary.
Spark Plugs (Gas Engines)
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New plugs should be in-
stalled at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty spark
plug, malfunctioning spark plugs can damage the cata-
lytic converter. For proper type of replacement spark
plugs, refer to the Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
section in this manual.
Catalytic Converter (Gas Engines)
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
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To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Intervention Regeneration Strategy ± EVIC
Message Process Flow (Catalyst Full Message)
(Diesel Engines Only)
Your new Cummins 6.7L diesel meets all EPA Heavy
Duty Diesel Engine Emissions Standards, resulting in the
lowest emitting diesel engine ever produced.To achieve these emission standards your vehicle is
equipped with state of the art engine and exhaust system.
The engine and exhaust aftertreatment system work
together to achieve the EPA Heavy Duty Diesel Engine
Emissions Standards. These systems are seamlessly inte-
grated into your vehicle and managed by the Cummins
6.7L engine Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM
manages engine combustion to allow the exhaust sys-
tem's catalyst to trap and burn Particulate Matter (PM)
pollutants, with no input or interaction on your part.
Additionally, the overhead console in your vehicle has
the ability to alert you to additional maintenance re-
quired on your truck or engine. Refer to the following
messages that may be displayed on your Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC):
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WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
Service CCV Filter
The 6.7L Cummins engine utilizes a Closed Crankcase
Ventilation (CCV) system. This system filters and recycles
gasses produced in the crankcase during the normal
combustion process. Service CCV Filter will be displayed
on the overhead console of your Dodge truck if the CCV
filter is due for required maintenance. This filter is
located on the top of the engine valve cover. For addi-
tional information, see your Dodge truck dealer.
Catalyst Full See Owner Manual
Catalyst Full See Owner Manual will be displayed on the
overhead console of your vehicle if the exhaust particu-
late filter reaches 80% of its maximum storage capacity.
Under conditions of exclusive short duration and low
speed driving cycles, your Cummins engine and exhaust
aftertreatment system may never reach the conditions
required to remove the trapped PM, if this occurs Cata-
lyst Full See Owner Manual will be displayed on the
overhead console in your vehicle. If this message is
displayed you will hear one chime to assist in alerting
you of this condition.
Catalyst Stat::::::::::80%
Catalyst Stat::::::::::80% will replace the message Catalyst
Full See Owner Manual after it is displayed for one
minute. The engine Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
will continue to monitor the amount of particulate matter
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Emission-Related Components (Gas Engines)
Positive Crankcase (PCV) Valve
Proper operation of the crankcase ventilation system
requires that the PCV valve be free of sticking or plug-
ging from deposits. Deposits can accumulate in the PCV
valve and passages with increasing mileage. Have the
PCV valve, hoses, and passages checked for proper
operation at the intervals specified. If the valve is
plugged or sticking, replace with a new valveÐdo not
attempt to clean the old PCV valve!Check the ventila-
tion hoses for indications of damage, weepage or plug-
ging with deposits. Replace if necessary.
Maintenance Free Battery (Gas Engines)
The top of the maintenance free battery is permanently
sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
WARNING!
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don't allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don't lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water.
²Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Don't use a
booster battery or any other booster source with an
output greater than 12 volts. Don't allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
²Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
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CAUTION!
²It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked (+)
positive and negative (-) and identified on the
battery case.
²If a ªfast chargerº is used while battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to battery. Do not
use a ªfast chargerº to provide starting voltage.
Maintenance Free Batteries (Diesel Engines)
The top of the maintenance free batteries are perma-
nently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
NOTE:Replacement batteries should both be of equal
capacity to prevent damage to the vehicle's charging
system.
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to the
negative post. Battery posts are marked (+) positive
and negative (-) and identified on the battery case.
Also, if a ªfast chargerº is used while battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables before
connecting the charger to battery. Do not use a ªfast
chargerº to provide starting voltage.
WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0ÉF (-18É). 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 Mopartdealer.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an Authorized Dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
NOTE:Refer to Section 3 of the Warranty Information
book for further warranty information.
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