2009 DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB oil pressure

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait for 15 minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repair person.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a air conditioning refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealers or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be lubri-
cated periodically with a lithium based grease such as
MOPAR Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy opera-
tion and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the
application of any lubricant, the parts concerned should
be wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular
attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to insure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant such as MOPAR
Lock Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 343
7

•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under 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 “Odometer/Trip Odometer” under “In-
strument Cluster Description” in Section 4 of this.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the 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.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 383
8
M A I
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Emergency Starting..................... 326
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 124
Belts, Seat .............................. 36
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 343
B-Pillar Location ........................ 262
Brake Fluid ............................ 379
Brake System ........................ 255,353
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 256
Fluid Check .......................... 353
Master Cylinder ....................... 353
Parking ............................. 254
Warning Light ........................ 168
Bulb Replacement ....................... 370
Bulbs, Light ............................ 370
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 375
Calibration, Compass ..................... 141
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 377Capacities, Fluid
........................ 377
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... 339
Power Steering ........................ 253
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 351
Car Washes ............................ 360
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................. 284
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...............173,187
Cellular Phone .......................... 86
Center Lap Belts ......................... 45
Center Seat Storage Compartment .........148,150
Certification Label ....................... 287
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 259
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 168
Child Restraint .......................... 60
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............64,67
Child Seat ............................ 60,66
Cigar Lighter ........................... 145
INDEX 411
10

CleaningWheels ............................. 361
Climate Control ......................... 204
Clock ........................ 172,175,189,195
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 203
Compass ........................... 140,141
Compass Calibration ..................... 141
Compass Variance ....................... 143
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 136
Contract, Service ........................ 403
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 351
Cooling System ......................... 348
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 350
Coolant Capacity ...................... 377
Coolant Level ...................... 348,352
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 352
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 349
Inspection ........................... 352
Points to Remember .................... 352 Pressure Cap
......................... 351
Radiator Cap ......................... 351
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .........349,378
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 133
Cupholders ............................ 146
Customer Assistance ..................... 401
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 57
Daytime Running Lights ................... 126
Dealer Service .......................... 337
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 153
Defroster, Windshield ................74,205,208
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 129
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 249
Dipsticks .............................. 338
Power Steering ........................ 253
Disposal .............................. 340
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 352
Engine Oil ........................... 340
412 INDEX

Gauges............................... 162
Coolant Temperature ................... 164
Fuel ............................... 171
Oil Pressure .......................... 164
Speedometer ......................... 163
Tachometer .......................... 163
Voltmeter ............................ 162
Gear Ranges ........................... 225
General Information .................... 18,114
Glass Cleaning .......................... 363
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 153
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 290
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 289
Guide, Body Builders ...................... 6
GVWR ............................... 287
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect) .............. 86 Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 250
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 314
Head Restraints ......................... 117
Headlights ............................ 370
Cleaning ............................ 363
High Beam .......................... 128
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 128
Lights On Reminder .................... 126
Passing ............................. 128
Switch .............................. 125
Heated Mirrors ......................... 153
Heated Seats ........................... 120
Heater ............................... 207
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 223
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 128
INDEX 415
10

Power Steering Fluid..................... 379
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 47
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 24
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 272
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......348,351
Radio, Navigation ....................... 194
Radio Operation ...................... 173,187
Radio Remote Controls .................... 201
Radio, Satellite ....................... 195,197
Radio (Sound Systems) .................173,187
Rear Axle (Differential) .................355,356
Rear Window Features .................... 153
Rear Window, Sliding ................... 34,154
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 116
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 57
Recreational Towing ...................... 304
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N) ....305,307 Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N)
....................... 306,309
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 281
Refrigerant ............................ 343
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 46
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 201
Remote Starting System .................... 26
Replacement Keys ........................ 16
Replacement Parts ....................... 337
Replacement Tires ....................... 274
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 404
Resetting Oil Change Indicator .............. 167
Restraint, Head ......................... 117
Restraints, Child ....................... 60,66
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 35
Rotation, Tires .......................... 279
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 74
420 INDEX

Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer
Case Neutral (N).................... 305,307
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N) .................... 306,309
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 44
Shoulder Belts ........................... 36
Signals, Turn ........................... 127
Sliding Rear Window Power ............................ 34,154
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 276
Snow Plow ............................ 300
Snow Tires ............................ 278
Spark Plugs ............................ 378
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 133
Speedometer ........................... 163
Starting ............................... 221
Automatic Transmission ................. 221
Engine Fails to Start .................... 222
Remote .............................. 26 Starting Procedures (Gas Engines)
............ 221
Steel Carcass Ply Tires .................... 269
Steering Power ........................... 252,253
Wheel Lock ........................... 14
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 130
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 201
Storage, Behind the Seat ................... 148
Storage Compartment, Center Seat .........148,150
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 369
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 369
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 276
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 340
System, Navigation ...................... 194
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 163
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 164
422 INDEX