2018 Ram 4500 Chassis Cab check transmission fluid

under which vehicle operations will occur. For the recom-
mended viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Fluids And
Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications”.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as a problem. Please check your oil level with
the engine oil indicator often during the break in period.
Add oil as required.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the trans-
mission in PARK.
The foot operated parking brake is located below the lower
left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the park
brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle. When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch
ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument cluster
will illuminate.
NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the transmission
is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will flash. If
vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound to alert the
driver. Fully release the parking brake before attempting
to move the vehicle.
• This light only shows that the parking brake is applied.
It does not show the degree of brake application.
Parking Brake Release
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 245

NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level be-
fore towing.
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly
areas, or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Air Suspension System
To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle,
the air suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air
Suspension System” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
NOTE: The vehicle must remain in the engine running
position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of the
air suspension system.
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using any
special additives in the transmission. Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and its perfor-
mance may be impaired by supplemental additives. There-
fore, do not add any fluid additives to the transmission.
The only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes
for diagnosing fluid leaks. Avoid using transmission seal-
ers as they may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level when the engine is fully warmed up
and the transmission fluid is at normal operating tempera-
ture. Driving with an improper fluid level will greatly
reduce the life of the transmission and of the fluid. Check
the fluid level whenever the vehicle is serviced.
Fluid Level Check — Procedure
It is best to check the fluid level when the transmission is
at normal operating temperature (170-180°F / 77-82°C for
66RFE transmission, or 158–176°F / 70–80°C for AS66RC
transmission). This normally occurs after at least 15 miles
(25 km) of driving. At normal operating temperature the
fluid cannot be held comfortably between the fingertips.
You can read the transmission sump temperature in the
instrument cluster display (refer toInstrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
further information).
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using the instru- ment cluster display, and operate the vehicle as required
to reach the normal operating temperature. If the trans-
mission is not functioning properly, or the vehicle
cannot be driven, see the NOTE and CAUTION below
about checking the fluid level at colder temperatures.
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60 seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of this
procedure.
390 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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

Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filters if the fluid becomes
contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the transmission is
disassembled for any reason.
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid Level
For models with 9.25 in Front Axles and 11.5 in Rear Axles,
refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Servicing And Main-
tenance” for further information. For normal service, peri-
odic fluid level checks are not required. When the vehicle is
serviced for other reasons, the exterior surfaces of the axle
assembly should be inspected.
When checking the fluid level (4500/5500 only), the vehicle
should be in a level position. The fluid level should be ¼ in
± ¼ in (6.4 mm ± 6.4 mm) below the fill hole on the front
axle. The fluid level should be level with the bottom of the
fill hole on the rear axle.
Drain And Refill
On 4500/5500 vehicles, remove the lower bolt to drain the
axle fluid.
Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in this chapter for the
proper maintenance intervals.
4500/5500 Rear Axle Plugs
1 — 4500/5500 Rear Axle Fluid Fill Plug
2 — 4500/5500 Rear Axle Fluid Drain Plug
392 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).............385
Adding Fuel ............................. .289
Additives, Fuel ........................ .290, 430
Adjust Down .............................. .46, 48
Forward ............................ .46, 48
Rearward ........................... .46, 48
Up ................................ .46, 48
Adjustable Pedals ...........................59
Air Bag Air Bag Operation ....................... .200
Air Bag Warning Light .....................197
Enhanced Accident Response .............206, 355
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .................355
If A Deployment Occurs ....................205
Knee Impact Bolsters ..................... .201
Maintaining Your Air Bag System .............207
Transporting Pets ....................... .233
Air Bag Light ...................... .150, 197, 234
Air Bag Maintenance ....................... .207
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......368
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................371
Air Conditioning ............................82
Air Conditioning Filter ....................97, 372
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ................97Air Conditioning Refrigerant
...............371, 372
Air Conditioning System ...................96, 371
Air Filter ............................... .368
Air Pressure, Tires ......................... .405
Alarm, Panic ...............................22
Alarm (Security Alarm) ....................33, 151
Alarm System (Security Alarm) .................33
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ................7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...................385
Capacities ............................. .434
Disposal .............................. .387
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .................164
Anti-Lock Warning Light .....................156
Ashtray ................................ .127
Assist,

Hill Start .......................... .166
Audio Systems (Radio) ...................... .441
Auto Down Power Windows ...................99
Automatic Door Locks ........................40
Automatic Headlights ........................72
Automatic High Beams .......................71
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ............96
Automatic Transmission Adding Fluid .......................... .391
Fluid And Filter Changes ...................392
Fluid Level Check .....................389, 390
512 INDEX

Fluid Type......................... .389, 437
Shifting .............................. .248
Special Additives ........................ .390
Axle Fluid ........................ .392, 393, 437
Axle Lubrication ....................... .392, 393
Back-Up ................................ .286
Back-Up Camera .......................... .286
Battery .............................. .152, 365
Charging System Light ....................152
Keyless Key Fob Replacement ................23
Belts, Seat ............................... .234
Body Builders Guide ..........................7
Body Mechanism Lubrication ..................379
B-Pillar Location .......................... .400
Brake Assist System ........................ .166
Brake Control System, Electronic ................165
Brake Fluid .......................... .388, 437
Brake System ......................... .388, 426
Fluid Check ........................... .388
Master Cylinder ........................ .388
Parking .............................. .245
Warning Light .......................... .150
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................248
Bulb Replacement ......................... .325Bulbs, Light
.......................... .236, 325
Cab Top Clearance Lights .....................330
Camera ................................ .286
Camera, Rear ............................ .286
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........434
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .434
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ........................ .364, 368
Power Steering ......................... .269
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................386
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................233, 433
Cargo Light ...............................
75
Car Washes .............................. .421
Cellular Phone ........................... .486
Center High Mounted Stop Light ...............328
Center Seat Storage Compartment ...............113
Changing A Flat Tire ....................... .339
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .396
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .160
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............233
Checks, Safety ............................ .233
Child Restraint ........................... .208
Child Restraints Booster Seats ........................... .212
12
INDEX 513