2016 Ram 1500 Maintenance procedures

Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle.”
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
116 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric
units by selecting the Uconnect customer-
programmable feature. Refer to the “Uconnect System
Settings” in this section of the manual.
To provide you with maximum comfort in the Automatic
mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will remain
on low until the engine warms up. The blower will
increase in speed and transition into Auto mode.
Manual Operation Override
The system allows for manual selection of blower speed,
air distribution mode, A/C status and recirculation con-
trol.
The blower fan speed can be set to any fixed speed by
adjusting the blower control. The fan will now operate at
a fixed speed until additional speeds are selected. This
allows the front occupants to control the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle and cancel the Auto mode.The operator can also select the direction of the airflow
by selecting one of the available mode settings. A/C
operation and Recirculation control can also be manually
selected in Manual operation.
NOTE:
Each of these features operates independently from
each other. If any feature is controlled manually, temperature
control will continue to operate automatically.
Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032) is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 441

Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
NOTE:Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
442 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L..........788
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L..........789
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L..........790
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II) . . .791
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............791
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS..........................792
REPLACEMENT PARTS..................793
DEALER SERVICE......................794
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........794▫Engine Oil..........................795
▫Engine Oil Filter......................799
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................799
▫Accessory Drive Belt Inspection...........803
▫Maintenance-Free Battery...............804
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............805
▫Front Driveshaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive Models Only)..........807
▫Body Lubrication.....................807
▫Windshield Wiper Blades...............808
7

DEALER SERVICE
Your authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, special tools, and equipment to perform all service
operations in an expert manner. Service Manuals are
available which include detailed service information for
your vehicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before
attempting any procedure yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a service
job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
“Maintenance Schedule”, there are other components
which may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer or qualified
repair center.
(Continued)
794 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Conditions that would require replacement:
•Rib chunking (one or more ribs has separated from belt
body)
•Rib or belt wear
•Longitudinal belt cracking (cracks between two ribs)
•Belt slips
•“Groove jumping(belt does not maintain correct
position on pulley)
•Belt broken (note: identify and correct problem before
new belt is installed)
•Noise (objectionable squeal, squeak, or rumble is
heard or felt while drive belt is in operation)
Some conditions can be caused by a faulty component
such as a belt pulley. Belt pulleys should be carefully
inspected for damage and proper alignment.Belt replacement on some models requires the use of
special tools, we recommend having your vehicle ser-
viced at an authorized dealer.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
(Continued)
804 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Reminder......................298
Security Alarm.........................302
Service...........................849, 850
Side Marker...........................860
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).........314, 665
Traction Control........................630
Transfer Case..........................526
Turn Signal..............121, 183, 329, 851, 853
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .303, 329
Limited-Slip Differential.................587, 825
Loading Vehicle..........................686
Tires ................................642
Locks..................................38
Automatic Door.........................41
Child Protection.........................42
Door.................................38
Power Door............................40
Low Tire Pressure System...................665
Lubrication, Body.........................807Lug Nuts...............................726
Maintenance Free Battery....................804
Maintenance Procedures....................794
Maintenance Schedule......................870
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . .310, 792
Manual, Service..........................886
Manual Transmission
Fluid Level Check.......................826
Lubricant Selection......................867
Memory Seat............................165
Methanol...............................676
Mirrors................................130
Electric Powered........................143
Heated...............................144
Memory..............................165
Outside..............................138
Rearview......................130, 131, 138
Trailer Towing.........................144
902 INDEX