following requirements if you use blends of biodiesel
greater then 5% but not greater than 20% (B6-B20). There
are no unique restrictions for the use of B5. 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.
Fuel Quality — Must Comply With ASTM
Standards
The quality of biodiesel fuel may vary widely. Only fuel
produced by a BQ9000 supplier to the following specifica-
tions may be blended to meet biodiesel blend (B6–B20) fuel
meeting ASTM specification D-7467:
•Pretrodiesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 and
biodiesel fuel (B100) meeting ASTM specification
D-6751.
Fuel Oxidation Stability — Must Use Fuel Within
Six Months Of Manufacture
Biodiesel fuel has poor oxidation stability which can result
in long term storage problems. Fuel produced to approved
ASTM standards, if stored properly, provides for protec-
tion against fuel oxidation for up to six months.
Fuel Water Separation — Must Use MOPAR/
Cummins Approved Fuel Filter Elements
You must use MOPAR/Cummins approved fuel filter
elements in both your engine mounted filter and frame
mounted filter.
Biodiesel fuel has a natural affinity to water and water
accelerates microbial growth. Your MOPAR/Cummins fil-
tration system is designed to provide adequate fuel water
separation capabilities.
Bio-Diesel Fuel Properties — Low Ambient
Temperatures
Biodiesel fuel may gel or solidify at low ambient tempera-
tures, which may pose problems for both storage and opera-
tion. Precautions can be necessary at low ambient tempera-
tures, such as storing the fuel in a heated building or a heated
storage tank, or using cold temperature additives.
Fuel In Oil Dilution — Must Adhere To Required
Oil Change Interval
Fuel dilution of lubricating oil has been observed with the
use of biodiesel fuel. Fuel in oil must not exceed 5%. To
ensure this limit is met your oil change interval must be
maintained to the following schedule:
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 159
•Ram PickUp 2500/3500 Only — 15,000 Miles*
• Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab — 12,500 Miles*
(*unless otherwise notified with a oil service message)
CAUTION!
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 15,000 miles (24 000 km) pickup or 12,500 miles
(20 000 km) chassis cab if operation occurs with greater
than 5% biodiesel blends. Oil change intervals should
not exceed 6 months in either case. Failure to comply
with these Oil Change requirements for vehicles op-
erating on biodiesel blends up to B20 may result in
premature engine wear. Such wear is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• B20 Biodiesel capable: The engine may suffer severe
damage if operated with concentrations of Biodiesel
higher than 20%.
ADDING FUEL — 2500/3500 DIESEL MODELS
1. Open the fuel filler door.
1 — Diesel Exhaust Fluid Fill Location
2 — Diesel Fuel Fill Location
NOTE: There is no fuel filler cap. A flapper door inside the
filler pipe seals the system.
2.
Insert the fuel nozzle fully into the filler pipe – the nozzle
opens and holds the flapper door while refueling.
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel – when the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off the fuel tank is full.
4. Remove the fuel nozzle and close the fuel door.
Diesel Fuel And Diesel Exhaust Fluid Fill Location
160 STARTING AND OPERATING
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 “ADD” mark.
The total capacity from the ADD mark to the Full mark is
2 qts (1.9L).
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause oil
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only rec-
ommends engine oils that are API CJ-4 certified and meet
the requirements of FCA LLC. Use MOPAR or an equiva-
lent oil meeting FCA Material Standard MS-10902. Prod-
ucts meeting Cummins CES 20081 may also be used. The
identification of these engine oils are typically located on
the back of the oil container.
Engine Oil Dipstick
1 — ADD Range
2—FullMark
3 — SAFE Range7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 177
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum In-
stitute (API). The manufacturer only rec-
ommends API Certified engine oils.
Oils with a high ash content may produce damaging
deposits on cylinder head valves and/or aftertreatment
system damage. A maximum sulfated ash content of 1.00
mass % is recommended for all oil used in the engine.
The same oil change interval is to be followed for synthetic
oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, synthetic oil must meet
the same performance specifications as petroleum oil.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C), we recommend
you use SAE 15W-40 engine oil such as MOPAR, Shell
Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material Standard
MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may also be used.
The identification of these engine oils is typically located
on the back of the oil container.
In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), SAE 5W-40 we
recommend you use syntheticengine oil such as MOPAR,
Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material
Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is
required.
CAUTION!
Failure to use SAE 5W-40 synthetic engine oil in
ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) could result in
severe engine damage.
178 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Engine oil not designated by the FCA or Cummins Material
Standards and API CJ-4 should not be used, as engine and
exhaust system durability may be compromised. The en-
gine oil filler cap also shows the recommended engine oil
viscosity for your engine. For information on engine oil
filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compartment” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils if the recommended oil
quality requirements are met and the recommended main-
tenance intervals for oil and filter changes are followed.
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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 179
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level onboth 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 quan-
tity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait a minimum of
two minutes for the oil to fully drain into the transmis-
sion before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE: If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be be-
tween the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick with
the fluid at 60-70°F / 16-21°C for 68RFE transmission, or
68-86°F / 20-30°C for AS69RC 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 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 park- ing 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 main-
tenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter(s) if the fluid
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the transmis-
sion is disassembled for any reason.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 199
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
CONTENTS
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE — DIESEL
ENGINE ............................. .210
▫ Oil Change Indicator System — Cummins
Diesel ............................. .210▫
Perform Service Indicator — Cummins
Diesel ...............................211
▫ Maintenance Chart — Cummins Diesel
Engine ............................. .212
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE — DIESEL ENGINE
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop For Fuel
Check the engine oil level at least 30 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while the
vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level is at or below
the ADD or MIN mark.
Once A Month
• Inspect the batteries, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and automatic transmission (if
equipped), and add as needed.
At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air filter. •
Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
• Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime a
malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all receipts.
Oil Change Indicator System — Cummins Diesel
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change indi-
cator system. This system will alert you when it is time to
change your engine oil by displaying the words “Oil
Change Due” in your instrument cluster display. The oil
change reminder will remind the owner to change the
engine oil every 15,000 miles or 500 hours, whichever
comes first, except for the Chassis Cab models and Pickup
models configured with optional B20 capability that are
using B20 biodiesel, which are 12,500 miles or 400 hours,
whichever comes first. Failure to change the engine oil per
the maintenance schedule can result in internal engine
damage.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
210 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE