2015 Ram 3500 check oil

NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels can-
not be stored under the vehicle because the wheel
retainer will not fit through the wheel pilot hole. Secure
the flat tire in the bed of the truck. Have the flat tire
repaired or replaced immediately.
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard stop
could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have the
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing the ground and toward the rear of the vehicle for conve-
nience in checking the spare tire inflation. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel.
Reinstalling The Retainer
698 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 751

WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid Level
For normal service, periodic fluid level checks are not
required. When the vehicle is serviced for other reasons
the exterior surfaces of the axle assembly should be
inspected. If gear oil leakage is suspected inspect the
fluid level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. This inspection should be made with the vehicle in
a level position.
780 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it untilseated.
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. 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. 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 tempera-
ture.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 785

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
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.
•
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 825

Maintenance Chart
Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X XX X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod
ends, and replace if necessary. XXX X X 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 axle fluid. XXX X X X X
826 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Camera, Rear........................... .207
Camper ............................... .264
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .815
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ....................... .753, 754
Power Steering ........................ .571
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................774
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............114,632
Cargo Light ............................ .174
Car Washes ............................ .787
Cellular Phone .......................... .393
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............810
Center Seat Storage Compartment .............237
Certification Label ........................ .639
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .592
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) ............285, 748
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............114
Checks, Safety ............................114 Child Restraint
............................82
Child Restraints Booster Seats ...........................87
Child Restraints .........................82
Child Seat Installation .................100, 102
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt ........98
Infants And Child Restraints ................85
Install A LATCH-compatible Child Restraint .....97
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt ..................................99
Locating The LATCH Anchorages ............94
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......89
Older Children And Child Restraints ..........85
Seating Positions ........................88
Cigar Lighter ........................... .229
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .629
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .789
Climate Control ...................... .395, 405
844 INDEX

Airbag........................ .78, 116, 285
Alarm .............................. .285
Anti-Lock ............................ .285
Anti-Lock Warning ..................... .577
Automatic Headlights ....................166
Brake Assist Warning ....................585
Brake Warning ........................ .285
Bulb Replacement ...................... .805
Cap Top Clearance ......................811
Cargo .............................. .174
Center Mounted Stop ....................810
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) .........285
Courtesy/Reading ................172, 174, 209
Daytime Running ...................... .167
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator .....585
Exterior ..............................117
Fog ......................... .170, 285, 808
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ................491
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................679 Headlights
........................... .165
High Beam ....................... .176, 285
High Beam Indicator .....................285
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............176
Hill Descent Control Indicator ..............587
Illuminated Entry ........................24
Instrument Cluster ..................... .285
Interior ....................171, 172, 174, 209
Oil Pressure .......................... .285
Passing ............................. .176
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .285
Security Alarm ........................ .285
Service .......................... .804, 805
Side Marker .......................... .814
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .........285, 619
Traction Control ....................... .585
Transfer Case ......................... .491
T

urn Signal ..................117, 175, 806, 808
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......28510
INDEX 851