Page 757 of 871

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 755
Page 790 of 871

Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using the
EVIC/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.
788 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 805 of 871
Cavity Cartridge Fuse Micro FuseDescription
F525 Amp TanBattery Sensor
F5320 Amp YellowTrailer Tow – Left Turn/Stop Lights
F5420 Amp YellowAdjustable Pedals
F5615 Amp Blue Additional Diesel Content – If Equipped
F5720 Amp YellowTransmission
F5820 Amp YellowSpare Fuse
F5910 Amp RedSCR Relay – If Equipped
F6015 Amp BlueUnderhood Lamp
F6110 Amp Red (1500
LD Diesel & Cum-
mins Diesel)
PM Sensor – If Equipped
F6210 Amp RedAir Conditioning Clutch
F6320 Amp Yellow Ignition Coils (Gas), Urea Heater (Cummins
Diesel)
F6425 Amp ClearFuel Injectors / Powertrain
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 803
Page 831 of 871

NOTE: 1500 Models Only
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months on
1500 trucks, whichever comes first.
2500 – 3500 Models
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or twelve months on
2500 – 3500 trucks, whichever comes first.
Severe Duty All Models
•Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level
•Check windshield washer fluid level
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns on.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and automatic transmission (six-speed only)
and fill as needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 829
Page 832 of 871
Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
•Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
•Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
•Inspect exhaust system.
•Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
•Lube the front drive shaft fitting (2500/3500 (4x4)
models only).
8
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
830 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Page 865 of 871

Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N)...........................676
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N)...........................679
Shift Lever Override.......................736
Shoulder Belts............................53
Signals, Turn.............................118
Sliding Rear Window
Power...............................246
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)...................621
Snow Plow..............................669
Snow Tires..............................613
Spare Tire...............................615
Spark Plugs.............................821
Speed Control (Cruise Control)................186
Speedometer.............................294
Stabilizer/Sway Bar System..................531
Starting.................................34
Automatic Transmission..................449
Cold Weather..........................451
Engine Fails to Start.....................451
Remote...............................34
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines).............448
Steering
Power...............................575
Wheel, Heated.........................183
Wheel, Tilt............................182
Steering Wheel Audio Controls...............396
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . . .396
Storage Compartment, Center Seat.............240
Storage, Vehicle...........................420
Storing Your Vehicle.......................807
Sun Roof...............................224
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag..........67
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information.........620
Suspension, Air...........................516
Sway Control, Trailer.......................592
Synthetic Engine Oil.......................75810
INDEX 863