MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE — DIESEL ENGINE
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop For Fuel
Check the engine oil level at least 30 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy
of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the level is at
or below the ADD or MIN mark.Once A Month
•Inspect the batteries, and clean and tighten the termi-
nals as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and automatic transmission (if
equipped), and add as needed.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect engine air filter.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts.
334 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
NOTE:
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or six months or 500
Hours, whichever comes first.
•Replace the engine oil and oil filter every 12,500 miles
(20 000 km) when running B20 fuel (Chassis Cab
Only).
If Chassis Cab models are operated with greater than 5%
levels of Biodiesel, the oil change interval must not
exceed 12,500 miles (20 000 km) under any circumstances.
See the Fuel Requirements section for more information
regarding operation of Chassis Cab models configured
for use with Biodiesel blend (B6-B20) fuel meeting ASTM
specification D-7467.Perform Service Indicator — Cummins® Diesel
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 Service”
message is displayed on the EVIC it is necessary to have
the emissions maintenance performed. Emissions mainte-
nance may include replacing the Closed Crankcase Ven-
tilation (CCV) filter element. The procedure for clearing
and resetting the “Perform Service” indicator message is
located in the appropriate Service Information.
336 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Mileage or time passed (which-
ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Inspect drive belt; replace as nec-
essary.XXXXXX
Inspect wheel bearings. X X X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine fuel filter element. X X X X X X X X X X
Replace chassis mounted fuel
filter element.XXXXXXXX X X
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level. If
using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing change the axle fluid. *
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 339
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............114
Adding Fuel..............................92
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter). . . .104
Airbag Light.............................23
Alarm Light..............................24
Anti-Lock Warning Light.....................18
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..................113
Capacities............................121
Disposal..............................117
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Type............................125
Axle Fluid..............................125
Battery.................................111
Brake Fluid.............................125
Brake System............................118
Fluid Check...........................118
Master Cylinder........................118
Warning Light..........................21Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..........121
Capacities, Fluid..........................121
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)...........................103
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................116
Charge Air Cooler.........................118
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . . .18
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)...........116
Cooling System...........................112
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...............114
Coolant Capacity.......................121
Coolant Level..........................112
Disposal of Used Coolant..................117
Drain, Flush, and Refill...................113
Points to Remember.....................117
Pressure Cap..........................116
Radiator Cap..........................116
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........113,122
346 INDEX - RAM 1500
Diesel Fuel...............................69
Diesel Fuel Requirements....................69
Bulk Storage of.........................95
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming...............109
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................117
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter...........105
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)......30
Engine.................................100
Air Cleaner...........................104
Block Heater........................62,68
Break-In Recommendations.................14
Compartment..........................100
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................122
Identification..........................100
Idling................................65
Oil..............................102 , 122
Oil Filler Cap..........................103Filters
Air Cleaner...........................104
Engine Fuel...........................105
Engine Oil........................104 , 122
Engine Oil Disposal.....................104
Flashers
Turn Signal............................19
Fluid Capacities..........................121
Fluid Level Checks
Brake................................118
Fluid, Brake.............................125
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts...........122
Fog Lights...............................26
Fuel...................................69
Adding...............................92
Diesel............................69,122
Filter................................105
Requirements...........................69
Specifications...........................70
INDEX - RAM 1500 347
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............312
Adding Fuel.............................253
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter). . . .296
Air Filter...............................296
Airbag Light.............................159
Alarm Light.............................160
Anti-Lock Warning Light....................154
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..................311
Capacities............................327
Disposal..............................314
Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid..........................320
Fluid Level Check.......................319
Fluid Type............................330
Shifting..............................227
Axle Fluid..............................330
Battery.................................309
Blanket...........................216 , 310Emergency Starting......................282
Brake System............................316
Fluid Check...........................316
Master Cylinder........................316
Warning Light.........................157
Brake/Transmission Interlock.................227
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..........327
Capacities, Fluid..........................327
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)...........................294
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................313
Charge Air Cooler.........................315
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .154
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)...........313
Cooling System...........................310
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...............312
Coolant Capacity.......................327
Coolant Level..........................310
INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 351
Disposal of Used Coolant.................314
Drain, Flush, and Refill...................311
Points to Remember.....................314
Pressure Cap..........................313
Radiator Cap..........................313
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........311,328
Diesel Exhaust Brake.......................223
Diesel Fuel..............................248
Diesel Fuel Requirements....................248
Bulk Storage of.........................257
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming...............306
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................314
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter...........300
Electronic Range Select (ERS).................235
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)......166
Emergency, In Case of
Jump Starting..........................282Engine.................................289
Air Cleaner...........................296
Block Heater.......................207 , 222
Break-In Recommendations................149
Compartment......................289 , 290
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................328
Identification......................289 , 290
Idling...............................217
Jump Starting..........................282
Oil..............................292 , 328
Oil Filler Cap..........................294
Oil Synthetic..........................295
Runaway.............................247
Exhaust Brake............................223
Exhaust System...........................323
Filters
Engine Fuel...........................300
Engine Oil........................295 , 328
352 INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500
Engine Oil Disposal.....................296
Flashers
Turn Signal...........................155
Fluid Capacities..........................327
Fluid Level Checks
Brake................................316
Manual Transmission....................318
Transfer Case..........................317
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts...........328
Fog Lights..............................162
Fuel...................................248
Adding..........................253 , 256
Diesel........................248 , 256 , 328
Filter................................300
Requirements..........................248
Specifications..........................249
Tank Capacity..........................327
Fueling................................253Gauges
Speedometer..........................159
Tachometer............................154
Voltmeter.............................214
Gear Ranges.............................228
Gross Axle Weight Rating...................262
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating..................262
Hitches
Trailer Towing.........................265
Idle Up Feature...........................218
Information Center, Vehicle..................166
Instrument Cluster........................152
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls..............270
Intervention Regeneration Strategy.............178
Jump Starting............................282
INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 353