2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab light

To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for the
dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully seated
position, as long as its seal remains engaged in the
dipstick tube.
Fluid Level Check – Chassis Cab Only
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature. This occurs after at least 15 miles
(25 km) of driving. At normal operating temperature, the
fluid cannot be held comfortably between the fingertips.
To properly check the transmission fluid, the following
procedure must be used.
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. Operate the engine at idle speed for a minimum of
60 seconds and normal operating temperature.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 shift lever in PARK. Make sure the
engine is running at idle speed.
5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 160°F to 175°F (70°C
to 82°C). This is the normal operating temperature after
the vehicle has been driven at least 15 miles (25 km). The
fluid cannot be comfortably held between the fingertips.
Only use the cold region of the dipstick as a rough
reference when doing initial oil level set after transmis-
sion rebuild or transmission refill.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated.
126 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

7. 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 a solid coating of oil is seen
on both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add
MOPARAS68RC Automatic Transmission Fluid or
equivalent as required into the dipstick tube. Do not
overfill. Never use any ATF other than MOPAR
AS68RC Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
After adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick
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 to 85°F (20°C to
30°C). If the fluid level is correctly established at room temperature, it should be between the HOT (upper)
reference holes when the transmission reaches 160°F to
175°F (70°C to 82°C).
CAUTION!
Be aware that if the fluid level is below 50°F (10°C),
it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add fluid
until the temperature is elevated enough to produce
a accurate reading.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
NOTE: To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or adding fluid, make sure
that the dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for
the dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully
seated position, as long as the seal remains engaged in
the dipstick tube.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 127

Oil Change Indicator System
Ram Truck Pick-Up (2500 And 3500 Models)
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. This system will alert you when it is
time to change your engine oil by displaying the words
“Oil Change Due” on your Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC). The engine oil change indicator
system is duty cycle based, which means the engine oil
change interval may fluctuate depending on your per-
sonal driving style. Driving styles such as frequent stop
and go type driving or extended idle time can increase
the frequency of the engine oil change. This is the result
of more frequent regeneration of the exhaust after treat-
ment system, which can decrease the life of the engine oil.
Failure to change the engine oil per the maintenance
schedule can result in internal engine damage.For information on resetting the Oil Change Indicator
message, refer to “Oil Change Due” under “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/EVIC Warning
Lights” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
When prompted by the Engine Oil Indicator System, the
engine oil and filter must be changed. If not prompted by
the Engine Oil Indicator System within 7,500 miles
(12 000 km) or six months since the last oil and filter
change, replace the engine oil and engine oil filter. Under
no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed
7,500 miles (12 000 km) or six months, whichever comes
first.
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 139

Adding Fuel............................ 83
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner
Filter) ............................. 104,129
Air Filter .............................. 104
Airbag Light ............................ 24
Alarm Light ............................ 17
Anti-Lock Warning Light ................... 21
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .............. 116,117
Capacities .......................... 133
Disposal ........................... 119
Automatic Transmission .................... 64
Adding Fluid ....................... 125
Fluid Level Check .................... 124
Fluid Type ...................... 124,136
Shifting ............................ 54
Axle Fluid ............................. 136
Battery ............................... 114
Blanket .......................... 43,115Emergency Starting
.................... 92
Brake Fluid ............................ 136
Brake System ........................... 121
Fluid Check ........................ 121
Master Cylinder ..................... 121
Warning Light ....................... 19
Brake/Transmission Interlock ................ 53
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 133
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 133
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ........................ 103
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 118
Charge Air Cooler ....................... 121
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ................................. 23
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 118
Cooling System ......................... 115
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 117
164 INDEX

Temperature Gauge.................... 15
Exhaust Brake ........................... 50
Exhaust System ......................... 129
Filters Engine Fuel ........................ 106
Engine Oil .................... 100,104,134
Flashers Turn Signal ......................... 15
Fluid Capacities ......................... 133
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................. 121
Manual Transmission .................. 124
Transfer Case ....................... 123
Fluid, Brake ........................... 136
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 134
Fog Lights ............................. 24
Fuel ................................ 82,83
Adding ............................ 83 Diesel
......................... 82,83,134
Filter ............................. 106
Gauge ............................. 15
Requirements ........................ 82
Specifications ........................ 83
Tank Capacity ....................... 133
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 15
Fuel ............................... 15
Oil Pressure ......................... 17
Speedometer ......................... 16
Tachometer .......................... 15
Voltmeter ......................... 18,41
Gear Ranges ........................ 54,65,76
Idle Up Feature .......................... 44
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 25
Instrument Cluster ...................... 14,15
166 INDEX

Intervention Regeneration Strategy........... 111
Jump Starting ........................... 92
Lights Airbag ............................. 24
Alarm ............................. 17
Anti-Lock ........................... 21
Brake Warning ....................... 19
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ....... 23
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 17
Fog ............................... 24
High Beam .......................... 18
High Beam Indicator ................... 18
Instrument Cluster .................... 15
Seat Belt Reminder .................... 24
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............. 17
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............. 17
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......... 21Traction Control
...................... 17
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) .... 15
Locks Steering Wheel ........................ 8
Maintenance Procedures ................... 100
Maintenance Schedule .................... 138
Manual Transmission ...................... 75
Fluid Level Check .................... 124
Lubricant Selection ................... 136
Shift Speeds ......................... 76
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 12
Noise Control Maintenance ........................ 128
Tampering Prohibited ................. 129
Noise Emission Warranty ...............128,130
Odometer ............................ 17,18
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INDEX 167

Signals, Turn............................ 15
Speedometer ............................ 16
Starting .............................. 8,34
Automatic Transmission ................ 34
Engine Block Heater ................. 35,49
Manual Transmission .................. 34
Remote ............................. 8
Starting Procedures ....................... 34
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) ........... 34
Steering Wheel Lock .......................... 8
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 104
System, Remote Starting .................... 8
Tachometer ............................. 15
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ........... 15
Tip Start ............................... 34
Ti re s Pressure Warning Light ................. 21 Torque Converter Clutch
.................63,74
Tow/Haul ............................. 62
Traction Control ......................... 123
Traction Control Light ..................... 17
Transfer Case Fluid ............................. 136
Transmission Automatic ........................ 54,64
Fluid ............................. 136
Manual .......................... 34,75
Shifting ............................ 52
Trip Odometer ........................ 17,18
Turn Signals ............................ 15
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... 103
Voltmeter ............................ 18,41
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . . 15
Water Separator, Diesel Fuel ................ 106
8
INDEX 169