2011 RAM CHASSIS CAB check oil

CAUTION! (Continued)• Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
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, such as every fuel stop. The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.
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.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

amount of a high quality lubricant such as MOPAR 
Lock Cylinder Lubricant or equivalent directly into the
lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE: Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines or wet spots. If any condition is
present please proceed to clean wiper blades with humid
cloth removing any debris that may be affecting its
function.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir is located under the hood and should
be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent only (not ra-
diator antifreeze). When refilling the washer fluid reser-
voir, take some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or
towel and wipe the wiper blades clean. This will help
blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389

Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
NOTE: The presence of water in the gear lubricant will
result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage.
Limited-Slip Differentials DO NOT REQUIRE any
limited slip oil additive (friction modifiers).
NOTE: Slight noise and mild shuddering may be evident
while turning a vehicle with limited slip differential on
concrete or dry pavement. These conditions should be
considered normal operation of the limited slip differential. Transfer Case
Drain and Refill
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for proper maintenance
intervals.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler
plug. The fluid level should be to the bottom edge of the
filler plug hole with the vehicle in a level position.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401

transmission with an improper fluid level will greatly
reduce the life of the transmission and of the fluid. Check
the fluid level whenever the vehicle is serviced.
Fluid Level Check – 545RFE
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 82°C (180°F). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (25 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal. 4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube. Do not overfill. After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
a minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE: If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70°F (21°C) (room tem-
perature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403

NOTE:
• The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
• 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 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Due” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” or under “Instrument
Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odometer” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
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.
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 427

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. At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
• Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
CAUTION!Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S 428 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid ......................... 403
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 404
Fluid Level Check ................... 402,403
Fluid Type ........................ 402,424
Shifting ............................. 268
Special Additives ...................... 404
Axle Fluid ....................... 400,401,424
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............ 400,401
Battery ............................... 385
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 24
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 144
Belts, Seat ............................ 38,73
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 388
B-Pillar Location ........................ 300
Brake Fluid ......................... 398,424 Brake System ........................ 292,398
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 292
Fluid Check .......................... 398
Master Cylinder ....................... 398
Parking ............................. 289
Warning Light ........................ 187
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 267
Bulb Replacement ....................... 416
Bulbs, Light .......................... 76,415
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 420
Calibration, Compass ..................... 204
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 422
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 422
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) .......................... 383
Power Steering ........................ 289
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 395
Car Washes ............................ 405
10 INDEX 455

Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................. 403
Brake .............................. 398
Power Steering ........................ 289
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 423
Fog Lights ....................... 142,190,418
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 274
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 356
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 370
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 400
Fuel ................................. 317
Adding ............................. 322
Diesel .............................. 423
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 323
Filter ............................... 423
Gauge .............................. 179
Light ............................... 186
Octane Rating ........................ 317
Requirements ......................... 317 Tank Capacity ........................ 422
Fuses ................................ 410
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............... 323,378
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 317
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 318
Gauges
Coolant Temperature ................... 179
Fuel ............................... 179
Oil Pressure .......................... 182
Speedometer ......................... 180
Tachometer .......................... 179
Voltmeter ............................ 186
Gear Ranges ........................... 270
General Information .................. 18,25,118
Glass Cleaning .......................... 409
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 170
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 327
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 326
10 INDEX 459