2018 Ram 4500 Chassis Cab adding oil

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................359
▫ Maintenance Plan ..................... .360
▫ Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle ............363
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................364
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .364
▫ Checking Oil Level — Gas Engine ...........365
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................365
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................365
 DEALER SERVICE ...................... .366
▫ Engine Oil — Gas Engine .................367
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .368
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................368
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............371▫
Front Driveshaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive Models Only) ............377
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............377
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .379
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................379
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .382
▫ Cooling System ....................... .384
▫ Brake System ........................ .388
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................389
▫ Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level .............................. .392
▫ Transfer Case ........................ .393
 HOISTING ........................... .393
 TIRES ............................... .394
▫ T

ire Safety Information ..................394
8

Checking Oil Level — Gas Engine
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, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the dipstick.
Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at the bottom
of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the top of the
safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir is located under the hood and should be
checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir
with windshield washer solvent only (not radiator anti-
freeze). When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take
some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or towel and wipe
the wiper blades clean. This will help blade performance.To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system in
cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This rating
information can be found on most washer fluid containers.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around the
washer solution.
After the engine has warmed up, operate the defroster for
a few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or
freezing the fluid on the cold windshield. Windshield
washer solution used with water as directed on the con-
tainer, aids cleaning action, reduces the freezing point to
avoid line clogging, and is not harmful to paint or trim.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic mainte-
nance required.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 365

4. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake pedal.
5. Place the gear selector momentarily into each gearposition (allowing time for the transmission to fully
engage 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 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
belowthe
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 transmission, 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.
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 park- ing brake.
NOTE:
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmis-
sion 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.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 391

Exterior Lights......................... .69, 236
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .368
Air Conditioning ..................... .97, 372
Engine Fuel ........................... .435
Engine Oil ......................... .368, 435
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .368
Flashers Turn Signal ...................... .75, 158, 236
Flash-To-Pass ..............................72
Flat Tire Stowage .......................... .344
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .243
Fluid, Brake ............................. .437
Fluid Capacities ........................... .434
Fluid Leaks .............................. .236
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ....................390
Brake ................................ .388
Power Steering ......................... .269
Fluids And Lubricants ...................... .435
Fog Lights ......................... .74, 157, 328
Fold Flat Load Floor ........................117
Folding Rear Seat ...........................43
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .....................320 Four Wheel Drive
......................... .257
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................... .350
Front Axle (Differential) ..................... .392
Fuel ................................... .429
Adding .............................. .289
Additives .......................... .290, 430
Clean Air ............................. .430
Ethanol .............................. .431
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ..................... .290
Filter ................................ .435
Gasoline .............................. .429
Light ................................ .156
Materials Added ..................... .290, 430
Methanol ............................. .431
Octane

Rating .......................... .429
Requirements .......................... .429
Tank Capacity .......................... .434
Fuses .................................. .331
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ............102, 108
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .....................290
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................ .430
Gasoline, Reformulated ..................... .430
Gear Ranges ............................. .249
Gear Select Lever Override ....................349
516 INDEX