2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab service interval

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages – Chassis Cab Only
There are three different messages which are displayed if
the vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled
with a fluid other than DEF, has experienced component
failures, or when tampering has been detected. The
vehicle will not start if the DEF system is not serviced
within less than 250 miles (402 km) of the fault being
detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System – See Dealer— This message
will display when the fault is initially detected, each
time the vehicle is started, and periodically during
driving. The message will be accompanied by a single
chime. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible.
•Service DEF System Engine Will Not Start In
200 Miles – See Dealer — This message will display if
the DEF system has not been serviced after the “Ser-
vice DEF System – See Dealer” message is displayed.
This message will continuously display until the mile-
age counter reaches zero, and will be accompanied by
a periodic chime. The message will continue to count-
down until it reaches zero unless the vehicle is ser-
viced. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
NOTE: Under some circumstances this mileage counter
may start with a value of less than 200 miles (322 km). For
example, if recurring faults are detected in a time interval
of less than 40 hours, the counter may restart at the value
where it stopped when a previous fault was temporarily
remedied, or at a minimum of 50 miles (80 km).
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 29

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized Chrysler Group LLC
dealership or qualified repair center.
(Continued)
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. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
100 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes or
lube odorants) to the engine oil. Engine oil is an engi-
neered product and its performance may be impaired by
supplemental additives.
Engine Oil Filter
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information. The
engine oil filter should be changed at every engine oil
change.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Filter
Care should be taken in disposing of the used engine
fluids from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately
discarded, can present a problem to the environment.
Contact an authorized dealer, service station, or govern-
mental agency for advice on recycling programs and
where used fluids and filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
CAUTION!
All air entering the engine intake must be filtered.
The abrasive particles in unfiltered air will cause
rapid wear to engine components.
104 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Refer to the following messages that may be displayed on
your Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC):
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
Perform Service
Your vehicle will require emissions maintenance at a set
interval. To help remind you when this maintenance is
due, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
will display “Perform Service”. When the “Perform Ser-
vice” message is displayed on the EVIC it is necessary to
have the emissions maintenance performed. Emissionsmaintenance may include replacing the Closed Crank-
case Ventilation (CCV) filter element, and cleaning of the
EGR Cooler. The procedure for clearing and resetting the
Perform Service
indicator message is located in the
appropriate Service Information.
Exhaust System – Regeneration Required Now
“Exhaust System — Regeneration Required Now” will be
displayed on the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) if the exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of its
maximum storage capacity. Under conditions of exclu-
sive short duration and low speed driving cycles, your
Cummins diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment
system may never reach the conditions required to re-
move the trapped PM. If this occurs, the “Exhaust System
— Regeneration Required Now” message will be dis-
played in the EVIC. If this message is displayed, you will
hear one chime to assist in alerting you of this condition.
112 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid And Filter Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty
All vehicles built over 10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg) Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and manufactured for sale and use in the
United States are required to comply with the Federal
Government’s Exterior Noise Regulations. These vehicles
can be identified by the Noise Emission Control Label
located in the operator’s compartment.
Required Maintenance For Noise Control Systems
The following maintenance services must be performed
every six months or 7,500 miles (12 000 km) whichever
comes first, to assure proper operation of the noise
control systems. In addition, inspection and service
should be performed anytime a malfunction is observed
128 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
Maintenance Schedule .................. 138
▫ Oil Change Indicator System ............ 139▫
Perform Service Indicator .............. 140
▫ Required Maintenance Intervals .......... 140
7

Ram Truck Chassis Cab (3500, 4500, And 5500
Models)
Replace the engine oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles
(12 000 km) or six months, or sooner if prompted by the
oil change indicator system (if equipped). Under no
circumstances should oil change intervals exceed
7,500 miles (12 000 km) or six months, whichever comes
first.
Perform Service Indicator
Your vehicle will require emissions maintenance at a set
interval. To help remind you when this maintenance is
due, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
will display “Perform Service”. When the “Perform Ser-
vice” message is displayed on the EVIC it is necessary to
have the emissions maintenance performed. Emissions
maintenance may include replacing the Closed Crank-
case Ventilation (CCV) filter element, and cleaning of theEGR Cooler. The procedure for clearing and resetting the
“Perform Service” indicator message is located in the
appropriate Service Information.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
140 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all
receipts.
* This maintenance is not required if belt was previously
replaced.
** The EGR Cooler and the EGR Valve cleaning will be
covered by the manufacturer only at this maintenance
interval, for vehicles in California, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Vermont, Con-
necticut, Oregon, and Rhode Island.
CAUTION!
***The manufacturer highly recommends that all
cooling system service, maintenance, and repairs be
performed by your local authorized dealer.
WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
•Failure to properly inspect and maintain your
vehicle could result in a component malfunction
and effect vehicle handling and performance. This
could cause an accident
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 161