2017 Ram 1500 maintenance

•Commercially available fuel additives are not necessary
for the proper operation of your diesel engine.
• No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.
Biodiesel Fuel Requirements
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM specifi-
cation D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with biodiesel blends that are
between 6% and 20% (B6–B20) is desired, the maintenance
schedule is subject to shorter intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replacement
is subject to shorter intervals when operating your engine
on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel greater
than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20) it is important that you understand and comply
with these requirements. Refer to the “Maintenance Chart”
in the “Maintenance Schedules” section for further direc-
tion.
CAUTION!
Failure to comply with Oil Change requirements for
vehicles operating on biodiesel blends between 6%
and 20% (B6–B20) will result in premature engine wear.
Such wear is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Biodiesel is a fuel produced from renewable resources
typically derived from animal fat, rapeseed oil (Rapeseed
Methyl Ester (RME) base), or soybean oil (Soy Methyl Ester
(SME or SOME) base).
Biodiesel fuel has inherent limitations which require that
you understand and adhere to the following requirements
if you use blends of biodiesel between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20). There are no unique restrictions for the use of B5.
CAUTION!
Use of blends greater than 20% is not approved. Use of
blends greater than 20% can result in engine damage.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
42 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Ensure funnel is inserted fully to hold flapper door
open.
3. Pour fuel into funnel opening.
4. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting back in the jack kit.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
• Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regulations
and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator Light” to
turn on.
• A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel
Fuel that is contaminated by water or dirt can cause severe
damage to the engine fuel system. Proper maintenance of
the engine fuel filter and fuel tank is essential. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for further information.
Emergency Fuel Fill Location
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STARTING AND OPERATING 47

Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel
If you store quantities of fuel, good maintenance of the
stored fuel is also essential. Fuel contaminated with water
will promote the growth of “microbes.” These microbes
form “slime” that will clog the fuel filtration system and
lines. Drain condensation from the supply tank and change
the line filter on a regular basis.
NOTE:When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of fuel,
air is pulled into the fuel system.
If the vehicle will not start, refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is considered a very stable
product with a long shelf life. If DEF is kept in tempera-
tures between 10° and 90°F (-12° and 32°C), it will last a
minimum of one year.
DEF is subject to freezing at the lowest temperatures. For
example, DEF may freeze at temperatures at or below
12° F (-11° C). The system has been designed to operate in
this environment.
NOTE: When working with DEF, it is important to know
that:
• Any containers or parts that come into contact with DEF
must be DEF compatible (plastic or stainless steel).
Copper, brass, aluminum, iron or non-stainless steel
should be avoided as they are subject to corrosion
by DEF.
• If DEF is spilled, it should be wiped up completely.
48 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.0L DIESEL ......54
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES .............55
▫ Engine Oil ............................55
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ..................57
▫ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .........60
▫ Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement ....61
▫ Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel ....62
▫ Intervention Regeneration Strategy — Message
Process Flow ..........................64 ▫
Maintenance-Free Batteries ................64
▫ Cooling System ........................65
▫ Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler ...........69
▫ Brake System ..........................69
 FLUID CAPACITIES ......................71
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS . . .72
▫ Engine ...............................72
▫ Chassis ..............................75
5

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 perform
repairs and service when necessary could result in
more costly repairs, damage to other components or
negatively impact vehicle performance. Immediately
have potential malfunctions examined by an autho-
rized dealership or qualified repair center.
• 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
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified fluid
for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends engine oils that meet the requirements of FCA
Material Standard MS-10902, and that are API CJ-4 certified
and meet the requirements of FCA LLC.
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. The best time to check the
oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the
engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tempera-
ture, then wait for five minutes after engine shutdown to
check the oil.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 55

1 — MAX Mark
2 — MIN Mark
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add oil only
when the level on the dipstick is below the “MIN” mark.
The total capacity from the MIN mark to the MAX mark is
1.3 qts (1.2 L).
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause oil
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
NOTE: It is possible for your oil level to be slightly higher
than a previous check. This would be due to diesel fuel that
may temporarily be in the crankcase due to operation of
the diesel particulate filter regeneration strategy. This fuel
will evaporate out under normal operation.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “MIN”
mark or above the upper “MAX” mark.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
CAUTION!
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced technology
Diesel Engine and an emission device designed to
limit Diesel Particulate Emissions from being released
(Continued)
Engine Oil Dipstick
56 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!(Continued)
into the atmosphere. The durability of your engine and
life expectancy of this diesel particulate filter emission
device is highly dependent on the use of the correct
engine oil.
We recommend you use 5W-40 syntheticengine oil such as
MOPAR or Shell Rotella that meets FCA Material Standard
MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to the
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental additives.
Engine Oil Filter
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information. The engine
oil filter should be changed at every engine oil change.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service sta-
tion or governmental agency for advice on how and where
used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) pro-
vides a measure of protection. Do not remove the air
induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such
removal is necessary for repair or maintenance. Make
sure that no one is near the engine compartment before
starting the vehicle with the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result
in serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
All air entering the engine intake must be filtered. The
abrasive particles in unfiltered air will cause rapid
wear to engine components.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 57

Intervention Regeneration Strategy — Message
Process Flow
This engine meets all required diesel engine emissions
standards. To achieve these emissions standards, your
vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art engine and
exhaust system. These systems are seamlessly integrated
into your vehicle and managed by the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). The PCM manages engine combustion to
allow the exhaust system’s catalyst to trap and burn
Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants, with no input or inter-
action on your part.
Additionally, your vehicle has the ability to alert you to
additional maintenance required on your vehicle or engine.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be grass
or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust sys-
tem. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas where
your exhaust system can contact anything that can
burn.
Maintenance-Free Batteries
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
The top of the maintenance-free battery is permanently
sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
CAUTION!
It is essential when replacing the cables on the battery
that the positive cable is attached to the positive post
and the negative cable is attached to the negative post.
Battery posts are marked (+) positive and negative (-)
and are identified on the battery case. Also, if a “fast
charger” is used while the battery is in vehicle, discon-
nect both vehicle battery cables before connecting the
charger to the battery. Do not use a “fast charger” to
provide starting voltage.
64 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE