2018 Ram 2500 tires

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................517
▫ Maintenance Plan ..................... .518
▫ Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle ............522
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................523
▫ 3.6L Engine ..........................523
▫ 5.7L Engine ..........................524
▫ 6.4L Engine ..........................525
▫ Checking Oil Level — Gas Engine ...........526
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................526
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................526
 DEALER SERVICE .......................527
▫ Engine Oil — Gas Engine .................528
▫ Engine Oil Filter .......................530
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................531 ▫
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............533
▫ Front Driveshaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive Models Only) ............539
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............540
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .541
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................542
▫ Exhaust System ........................545
▫ Cooling System ........................546
▫ Brake System ........................ .552
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................553
▫ Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ...............................556
▫ Transfer Case ........................ .557
 HOISTING ............................558
 TIRES ............................... .558
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▫Tire Safety Information ..................558
▫ Tires — General Information ..............568
▫ Tire Types ............................574
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................575
▫ Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ..............578
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) .............579
▫ Tire Rotation Recommendations ............580
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..................583
▫ Treadwear ............................583
▫ Traction Grades ........................583
▫ Temperature Grades .....................583 
STORING THE VEHICLE ..................584
 BODYWORK .......................... .584
▫ Protection From Atmospheric Agents ........584
▫ Body And Underbody Maintenance ..........585
▫ Preserving The Bodywork .................585
 INTERIORS ............................587
▫ Seats And Fabric Parts ...................587
▫ Plastic And Coated Parts ..................588
▫ Leather Parts ..........................589
▫ Glass Surfaces ........................ .590
516 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Severe Duty All Models
NOTE:Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350
hours of engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a
dusty and off road environment or is operated predomi-
nantly at idle, or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of
vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
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 lightsMaintenance Plan
Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Plan 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 irregular
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).
518 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

HOISTING
A conventional floor jack may be used at the jacking
locations. Refer to the graphics that show jacking locations.
However, a floor jack or frame hoist must never be used on
any other parts of the underbody.
CAUTION!
Never use a floor jack directly under the differential
housing of a loaded truck or damage to your vehicle
may result.
TIRES
Tire Safety Information
Tire safety information will cover aspects of the following
information: Tire Markings, Tire Identification Numbers,
Tire Terminology and Definitions, Tire Pressures, and Tire
Loading.
Tire Markings
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety
Standards Code (TIN)4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
558 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

NOTE:
•P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation.
Example: P215/65R15 95H.
• European — Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with the
section width. The letter Pis absent from this tire size
designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
• LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the letters
“LT” that are molded into the sidewall preceding the
size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. •
Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary emer-
gency use only. Temporary high pressure compact spare
tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into the sidewall
preceding the size designation. Example: T145/80D18
103M.
• High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design stan-
dards and it begins with the tire diameter molded into
the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 559

Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire;
however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with
white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date
code, located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look forthe TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as
mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the
outboard side, then you will find it on the inboard side of
the tire.
EXAMPLE:
DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
DOT = Department of Transportation
–This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards
and is approved for highway use
MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)
L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits)
ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)
03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
–03 means the 3rd week
01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
–01 means the year 2001
–Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the
tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991
562 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and sparetires.Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operat-
ing” section of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross
axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles
must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and
trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting
And Operating” section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer
tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 565

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the rec-
ommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never over-
load them.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 567