2015 Ram 1500 check transmission fluid

JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing,
do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from
battery vent holes. Always wear eye protection
when working with batteries.
• Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 Volt system, i.e., do
not use a 24 Volt power source.
NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12 Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If the
indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
CAUTION!
Use the jump start procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a
green dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
270 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Selection of Lubricant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fluid specifications.
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.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Selection of Lubricant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fluid specifications.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level can be checked by removing the filler
plug. If the level of the lubricant is more than 1/2 in (12
mm) below the bottom of the filler hole while the vehicleis on level ground, enough lubricant should be added to
bring the level to 1/4 in (6 mm) below the bottom of the
filler hole.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Selection of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer ’s specified transmission fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain
the transmission fluid at the correct level using the
recommended fluid.
No chemical flushes should be used in any transmission;
only the approved lubricant should be used.
306 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer ’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission. Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and
its performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives to the
transmission. The only exception to this policy is the use
of special dyes for diagnosing fluid leaks. Avoid using
transmission sealers as they may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
It is best to check the fluid level when the transmission is
at normal operating temperature (170-180°F / 77-82°C for
68RFE transmission, or 158-176°F / 70-80°C for AS69RC
transmission). This normally occurs after at least 15 miles
(25 km) of driving. At normal operating temperature the
fluid cannot be held comfortably between the fingertips.
You can read the transmission sump temperature in the
EVIC/DID screen (refer to “Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center [EVIC]” or “Driver Information Display
[DID]” for further information).
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 307

Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using theEVIC/DID screen, and operate the vehicle as required
to reach the normal operating temperature. If the
transmission is not functioning properly, or the vehicle
cannot be driven, see the NOTE and CAUTION below
about checking the fluid level at colder temperatures.
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60 seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
4. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake pedal.
5.
Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear position
(allowing time for the transmission to fully engage in
each position), ending with the transmission in PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the “HOT” (upper) reference holes
on the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube
to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill.Use
ONLY the specified fluid (see Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for fluid specifications). 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.
308 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 60-70°F / 16-21°C for 68RFE transmis-
sion, or 68-86°F / 20-30°C for AS69RC transmission. Only
use the COLD region of the dipstick as a rough reference
when setting the fluid level after a transmission service
or fluid change. Re-check the fluid level, and adjust as
required, once the transmission reaches normal operating
temperature.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature 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 an
accurate reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK, to
warm the fluid. 8. Reinsert the dipstick. Check for leaks. Release the
parking brake.
NOTE: To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or replenishing 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 its seal remains
engaged in the dipstick tube.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter(s) if the fluid
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the trans-
mission is disassembled for any reason.6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 309

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.
322 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............116
Adding Fuel ..............................91
Air bag Light .............................17
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .104
Alarm Light ..............................17
Anti-Lock Warning Light .....................17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................115
Capacities ........................... .122
Disposal ..............................118
Automatic Transmission Fluid Type ........................... .126
Axle Fluid ............................. .126
Battery .................................113
Brake Fluid ............................ .126
Brake System ........................... .120
Fluid Check .......................... .120
Master Cylinder ....................... .120
Warning Light .......................17,33 Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)
..........122
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .122
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .103
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................118
Charge Air Cooler ........................ .120
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . . .17
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........118
Cooling System ...........................114
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............116
Coolant Capacity ...................... .122
Coolant Level ..........................114
Disposal of Used Coolant ..................118
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................115
Points to Remember .....................119
Pressure Cap ..........................118
Radiator Cap ..........................118
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .........115,123
334 INDEX - RAM 1500

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............300
Adding Fuel ............................ .257
Air bag Light ........................... .158
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .284
Air Filter .............................. .284
Alarm Light ............................ .159
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................151
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................299
Capacities ........................... .315
Disposal ............................. .302
Automatic Transmission Adding Fluid ......................... .308
Fluid Level Check ...................... .307
Fluid Type ........................... .318
Shifting ............................. .232
Axle Fluid ............................. .318
Battery ................................ .297
Blanket .......................... .220 , 298Emergency Starting
..................... .270
Brake System ........................... .304
Fluid Check .......................... .304
Master Cylinder ....................... .304
Warning Light ..................... .159 , 167
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................232
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..........315
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .315
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .282
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................301
Charge Air Cooler ........................ .303
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .151
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........301
Cooling System .......................... .298
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............300
Coolant Capacity ...................... .315
Coolant Level ......................... .298
338 INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500