2015 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab brake fluid

With disc brakes the fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a system check
should be conducted.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Using the wrong type of brake fluid can severely
damage your brake system and/or impair its perfor-
mance. The proper type of brake fluid for your
vehicle is also identified on the original factory
installed hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
(Continued)
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)
522 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 models with 9.25 in Front Axles and 11.5 in Rear Axles,
refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information. 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.
When checking the fluid level (4500/5500 only), the
vehicle should be in a level position. The fluid level
should be ¼ in±¼in(6.4 mm ± 6.4 mm) below the fill
hole on the front axle. The fluid level should be level with
the bottom of the fill hole on the rear axle.
Drain And Refill
On 4500/5500 vehicles, remove the lower bolt to drain
the axle fluid.
1 — 4500/5500 Rear Axle Fluid Fill Plug
2 — 4500/5500 Rear Axle Fluid Drain Plug
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 523

4. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake.
5. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
6. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt from entering the transmission.
7. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until seated.
8. 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 for 66RFE transmis-
sion, or 68-86°F / 20-30°C for AS66RC 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 527

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.
9. 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 filters if the fluid
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the trans-
mission is disassembled for any reason.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and chemicals that are sprayed
on trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are
highly corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside
parking, which exposes your vehicle to airborne contami-
nants, road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated,
528 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission (5.7L, and 6.4L
Engine with 66RFE Transmission) (For
Diesel Engine see Diesel Supplement) Use only ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid. Failure to use ATF+4®
fluid may affect the function or performance of your transmission. We
recommend MOPAR® ATF+4® fluid.
Automatic Transmission (6.4L Engine
with AS66RC Transmission) Use only MOPAR® ASRC Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
Failure to use the proper fluid may affect the function or performance
of your transmission.
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR® BW44-44 Transfer Case Fluid.
Front and Rear Axle Fluid (4500/5500) We recommend you use GL-5 SAE 75W-90 Synthetic (MS-9763).
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3 and SAE J1703. If DOT 3
brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR® Power Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR®
ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
558 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic trans-
mission 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.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•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. 8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 561

Auto Down Power Windows..................44
Automatic Door Locks ......................37
Automatic Headlights ..................... .151
Automatic High Beams .....................153
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........301
Automatic Transmission ....................524
Adding Fluid ......................... .527
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................528
Fluid Level Check ...................... .526
Fluid Type ........................... .524
Shifting ............................. .336
Special Additives ...................... .525
Axle Fluid ............................. .523
Axle Lubrication ......................... .523
Battery ................................ .502
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........27
Belts, Seat ...............................110
Body Builders Guide ........................6 Body Mechanism Lubrication
.................505
B-Pillar Location ......................... .389
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............371
Brake Fluid ............................ .521
Brake System ........................... .370
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .371
Fluid Check .......................... .521
Master Cylinder ....................... .521
Parking ............................. .367
Warning Light ........................ .203
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................336
Bulb Replacement ........................ .547
Bulbs, Light .............................112
Cab Top Clearance Lights ...................552
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..........554
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .554
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .495
10
INDEX 579

Overheating.......................... .460
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .495
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............70
Entry System, Illuminated ....................22
Ethanol ............................... .422
Event Data Recorder ........................74
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................... .109
Exhaust System .......................... .109
Exterior Lighting ......................... .151
Exterior Lights ...........................112
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .496
Engine Fuel .......................... .555
Engine Oil ........................... .496
Engine Oil Disposal .....................496
Flashers Turn Signal ............................112
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ .472Flooded Engine Starting
....................331
Fluid, Brake ............................ .558
Fluid Capacities ......................... .554
Fluid Leaks .............................112
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................526
Brake ............................... .521
Power Steering ........................ .366
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........555
Fog Lights ............................. .155
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................460
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .351
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................477
Front Axle (Differential) .....................523
Fuel .................................. .421
Adding ............................. .426
Additives ............................ .424
Clean Air ............................ .422
Ethanol ............................. .422
10
INDEX 583