2008 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL air condition

Required Maintenance For Noise Control Systems
The following maintenance services must be performed
every 6 months or 6,000 miles (9 600 km), whichever
comes first, to assure proper operation of the noise
control systems. In addition, inspection and service
should be performed anytime a malfunction is observed
or suspected. Proper maintenance of the entire vehicle
will help the effectiveness of the noise control systems.
Exhaust System
Inspect the entire exhaust system for leaks and damaged
parts. Devices such as hangers, clamps, and U-bolts
should be tight and in good condition. Damaged compo-
nents, burned or blown out mufflers, burned or rusted
out exhaust pipes should be replaced according to the
procedures and specifications outlined in the appropriate
service manual.Air Cleaner Assembly
Inspect air cleaner housing for proper assembly and fit.
Make certain that the air cleaner is properly positioned
and that the cover is tight. Check all hoses leading to the
air cleaner for tightness. The air filter element must also
be clean and serviced according to the instructions out-
lined in the Maintenance Schedule Section of this
manual.
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.
452 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.The most common causes are:
²Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
²Stone and gravel impact.
²Insects, tree sap and tar.
²Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
²Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
Washing
²
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MopartCar Wash or a mild
car wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with
clear water.
²If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MopartSuper Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover to remove.
²Use MopartCleaner Wax to remove road film, stains
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 455
7

VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than 21 days, we
recommend that you take the following steps to mini-
mize the drain on your vehicle's battery:
²Disconnect the Ignition-Off Draw fuse (IOD) fuse
located in the Integrated Power Module, located in the
engine compartment. The IOD cavity includes a
snap-in retainer that allows the fuse to be discon-
nected, without removing it from the fuse block.
²The electronic shift transfer case should be placed in
the 4HI mode and kept in this position to minimize the
battery drain.
²As an alternative to the above steps you may discon-
nect the negative cables from both batteries.
²Any time you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutesin the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
NOTE:When reinstalling the IOD fuse push firmly until
fully seated; the gauges in the instrument cluster will do
a full sweep when the ignition key is cycled to RUN. This
is a normal condition.
NOTE:When the vehicle is shipped from the factory,
the IOD fuse is in the up, or extracted position. If the
radio, interior lamps, keyless entry, or other features do
not work with the key OFF, check the position of the fuse
(or check to see if the fuse is blown) to ensure that it is
fully seated. When the IOD fuse is extracted, the instru-
ment cluster in the odometer window will display9NO
FUSE.º
464 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 func-
tioning 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 anytime 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 Ð 6.7L TURBO
DIESEL
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 30 minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required. When refilling the washer fluid reservoir,
484 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Adding Fuel........................... 349
Adjustable Pedals....................... 138
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner
Filter).............................419,452
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 430
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............430,431
Air Conditioning System................252,430
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 255
Air Filter.............................. 419
Air Pressure, Tires....................325,333
Airbag............................35,48,55
Airbag Light.......................58,77,190
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 55
Alarm, Panic............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm).................19,192
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Alignment and Balance................... 332
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 245Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............438,439
Capacities........................... 479
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............195,314
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 19
Anti-Theft System.....................19,192
Appearance Care........................ 455
Ashtray............................... 162
Assistance Towing....................... 102
Auto Unlock, Doors...................... 146
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 85
Automatic Door Locks.................... 146
Automatic Transaxle...................... 12
Interlock System........................ 19
Automatic Transmission................... 447
Adding Fluid......................448,449
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 450
Fluid Level Check...................... 448
Fluid Type........................447,482
Shift Indicator........................ 192
506 INDEX