2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL Owners Manual

4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the transfer case while towing,
always use one of the following methods.•
The transfer case must be in the neutral position, and
the transmission must be in PARK to tow a 4-Wheel
Drive vehicle with one end of the vehicle raised.
•
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
2–Wheel Drive VehiclesProvided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the ignition key in the
OFF position along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. Speed must not exceed
30 mph (50 km/h) and distance must not exceed 15 miles
(25 km).
If the vehicle is to be towed faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or more than 15 miles (25 km) the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground. It may also be towed on a flatbed or with the
front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a dolly.
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km) can cause severe damage to the
transmission.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 423
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTSEngine Compartment— 5.7L ............. 427
 Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) ...... 428
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .......... 428
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 429
 Replacement Parts .................... 430
 Dealer Service ....................... 430
 Maintenance Procedures ................ 431
▫ Engine Oil ........................ 431
▫ Engine Oil Filter .................... 433 ▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter .............. 434
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ............. 434
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ........... 435
▫ Front Prop Shaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(4X4) Models ....................... 436
▫ Body Lubrication ................... 437
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............. 437
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................ 438
▫ Exhaust System .................... 438
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▫Cooling System .................... 441
▫ Brake System ...................... 447
▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. 448
▫ Transfer Case ...................... 449
▫ Automatic Transmission .............. 449
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 452
 Fuses ............................. 458
▫ Integrated Power Module ............. 458
 Vehicle Storage ...................... 463
 Replacement Light Bulbs ............... 464
 Bulb Replacement .................... 465
▫ Headlight (Halogen)/Front Park And Turn
Lights ............................ 465 ▫
Fog Lights ........................ 468
▫ Tail, Stop, Turn And Backup Lights ...... 469
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplight (CHMSL)
With Cargo Light .................... 472
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lights — If Equipped . . 473
▫ Tailgate ID Lights (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped ........................ 475
▫ Rear Light Bar ID Marker
(Dual Rear Wheel) — If Equipped ........ 476
▫ Side Marker Lights (Dual Rear Wheels) . . . 477
 Fluids And Capacities ................. 478
 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...... 479
▫ Engine ........................... 479
▫ Chassis .......................... 480
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT— 5.7L1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Battery 11 — Coolant Pressure Cap
6 — Integrated Power Module MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427
7

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBDII. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immedi-
ate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap MessageIf the vehicle’s diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
GASCAP message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Press the odometer reset button to turn the
message off. If the problem persists, the message will
428 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

appear the next time the vehicle is started. This might
indicate a damaged cap. If the problem is detected twice
in a row, the system will turn on the MIL. Resolving the
problem will turn the MIL light off.EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMSIn some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the OBD II system
is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see the MIL symbol come on as part of a normal bulb
check.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 429
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5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system is not readyand you should
not proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
is ready and you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready. Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTSUse of genuine MOPAR
parts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-MOPAR parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.DEALER SERVICEYour authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, special tools and equipment to perform all service
operations in an expert manner. Service Manuals are
available which include detailed service information for
430 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE