2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS battery

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 the 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.
Emission-Related Components
Positive Crankcase Valve (PCV)
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
The top of the maintenance-free battery is permanently
sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 457
7

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.
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 the battery is in
the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do
not use a ªfast chargerº to provide starting voltage.
458 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FUSES (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE)
An integrated power module is located in the engine
compartment near the battery. This center contains car-
tridge fuses and mini fuses. A description of each fuse
and component may be stamped on the inside cover,
otherwise the cavity number of each fuse is stamped on
the inside cover that corresponds to the following chart.Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
1 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet Console
2 20 Amp
YellowCabin Compartment
Node (CCN) Door
Locks
3ÐÐ
4 15 Amp
BlueAisin Transmission
Controls (Diesel Only)
5 20 Amp
YellowPower Sunroof
6 10 Amp
RedVistronic Fan/
Wastegate Solenoid
7ÐÐ
8 10 Amp
RedHeated Mirrors
Integrated Power Module Location
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 489
7

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
9 30 Amp
PinkOff Road Module
Power
10 5 Amp
OrangeTrx-Off Rd Pkg Sen
(Gas Engine Only)
NOTE: Insert 5 amp
fuse in this cavity to
enable the TRX capa-
bility (If Equipped).
11 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw
(IOD)-Cabin Com-
partment Node
(CCN)/Radio/Under
Hood Lamp/Wireless
Control Module
(WCM)/Satellite Digi-
tal Audio Receiver
(SDARS)/Hands Free
Module (HFM)/EOMCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
12 30 Amp
PinkElectric Brake
13 25 Amp
NaturalPower-Battery
RWAL/ABS Module
Feed
14 15 Amp
BluePark Lights Left
15 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Park Lights
16 15 Amp
BluePark Lights Right
17 Ð Ð
18 40 Amp
GreenABS Pump
19 30 Amp
PinkTrailer Tow Battery
Feed
490 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
²When installing the Integrated Power Module
cover, it is important to ensure the cover is prop-
erly positioned and fully latched. Failure to do so
may allow water to get into the Integrated Power
Module, and possibly result in a electrical system
failure.
²When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to
use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating.
The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system over-
load. If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, it
indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 493
7

²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº under ªIn-
strument Cluster Descriptionº in Section 4 of this
manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level whilethe vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy 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.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 515
8
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Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 474
Ball Joints............................. 460
Battery............................... 457
Emergency Starting..................... 434
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 136
Bearings.............................. 479
Belts, Drive............................ 454
Belts, Seat.............................. 35
Body Builders Guide....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 462
B-Pillar Location........................ 343
Brake Assist System...................... 326
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 324
Brake Fluid.........................472,511
Brake System........................319,471
Anti-Lock (ABS).................320,321,325
Disc Brakes.......................... 471
Fluid Check.......................... 472Hoses.............................. 471
Master Cylinder....................... 472
Parking............................. 318
Warning Light........................ 202
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 76
Bulb Replacement....................... 495
Bulbs, Light............................ 494
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 503
Calibration, Compass..................... 154
Camper............................... 185
Capacities, Fluid........................ 508
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 452
Power Steering........................ 460
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 468
Car Washes............................ 484
Carbon Monoxide Warning............78,187,375
Cargo Light............................ 138
INDEX 533
10

Seat Belt Reminder..................... 197
Service...........................494,495
Side Marker.......................... 507
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........... 204
Traction Control....................... 333
Transfer Case......................... 298
Transmission Warning................... 207
Turn Signal..................139,196,495,499
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 196
Limited-Slip Differential................313,475
Loading Vehicle......................... 381
Tires ............................... 343
Locks................................. 27
Child Protection........................ 31
Door................................ 27
Keys................................ 12
Power Door........................... 28
Steering Wheel......................... 18Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 66
Lubrication, Body....................... 462
Lug Nuts............................. 428
Lumbar Support........................ 122
Maintenance........................... 450
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 457
Maintenance Procedures................... 450
Maintenance Schedule.................... 514
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine)..... 448
Manual, Service......................... 527
Manual Transmission...............288,291,476
Fluid Level Check...................475,476
Lubricant Selection..................476,511
Shift Speeds.......................... 290
Mirrors................................ 86
Automatic Dimming..................... 87
Electric Powered....................... 88
INDEX 541
10