2020 Ram 1500 start

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 489
5.7L Engine With Stop/Start
1 — Air Cleaner Filter6 — Power Distribution Center
2 — Engine Oil Fill 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Battery
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 491
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.
Pressure Washing
WARNING!
• Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid to contact
your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean over a battery
when attaching clamps. If acid splashes in eyes or on
skin, flush the area immediately with large amounts of
water. Refer to “Jump Starting Procedure” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use a booster
battery or any other booster source with an output
greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable clamps to
touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.
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. Cable clamps
should be tight on the terminal posts and free of corro -
sion.
• If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables before
connecting the charger to the battery. Do not use a “fast
charger” to provide starting voltage.
CAUTION!
Cleaning the engine compartment with a high pressure
washer is not recommended. Precautions have been
taken to safeguard all parts and connections however,
the pressures generated by these machines is such that
complete protection against water ingress cannot be
guaranteed.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 493
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol This symbol means that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). The manu -
facturer only recommends API Certified engine oils.
This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30 and
10W-30 engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity — 3.6L Engine
Mopar SAE 0W-20 engine oil approved to FCA Material
Standard MS-6395 is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended engine
oil viscosity for your engine. For information on engine oil
filler cap location, refer to the “Engine Compartment” illus -
tration in this section. Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certifica
-
tion mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade number
should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 5.7L Engine
Mopar SAE 5W-20 engine oil approved to FCA Material
Standard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil, Shell Helix, or equiva -
lent is recommended for all operating temperatures. This
engine oil improves low temperature starting and vehicle
fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended engine
oil viscosity for your engine. For information on engine oil
filler cap location, refer to the “Engine Compartment” illus -
tration in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certifica -
tion mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade number
should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom -
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom -
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.
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.
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494 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Synthetic engine oils which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade
number should not be used.
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 perfor -
mance may be impaired by supplemental additives.
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, indiscrimi -
nately discarded, can present a problem to the environment.
Contact an authorized dealer, service station or govern -
mental agency for advice on how and where used oil and oil
filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter at
every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
This manufacturer's engines have a full-flow type disposable
oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality of replacement filters varies considerably. Only high quality
filters should be used to assure most efficient service. Mopar
engine oil filters are high quality oil filters and are recom
-
mended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” in this section for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters varies
considerably. Only high quality filters should be used to
assure most efficient service. Mopar engine air cleaner filters
are a high quality filter and are recommended.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. 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.
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496 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
3. Remove the air cleaner filter element from the housingassembly.
Air Cleaner Filter Engine Air Cleaner Filter Installation
NOTE:
Inspect and clean the housing if dirt or debris is present
before replacing the air filter element.
1. Install the air cleaner filter element into the housing
assembly with the air cleaner filter inspection surface
facing downward.
2. Install the air cleaner cover onto the housing assembly.
3. Tighten the fasteners (six) on the air cleaner filter assembly
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner should
be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer at the start
of each warm season. This service should include cleaning of
the condenser fins and a performance test. Drive belt tension
should also be checked at this time.1 — Air Cleaner Cover
2 — Air Cleaner Filter
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 501
NOTE:
Ensure the glove compartment door hinges and glove
compartment travel stops are fully engaged.
10. Reattach the glove compartment tension tether byinserting the tether clip in the glove compartment and
sliding the clip away from the face of the glove compart -
ment door.
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
When inspecting accessory drive belts, small cracks that run
across the ribbed surface of a belt from rib to rib, are consid -
ered normal. These are not a reason to replace the belt.
However, cracks running along a rib (not across) are not
normal. Any belt with cracks running along a rib must be
replaced. Also have the belt replaced if it has excessive wear,
frayed cords or severe glazing.
Accessory Belt (Serpentine Belt)
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to inspect an accessory drive belt with vehicle running.
• When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon -
nect the fan motor lead. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time regardless of igni -
tion mode. You could be injured by the moving fan
blades.
• You can be badly injured working on or around a motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you have the
knowledge and the proper equipment. If you have any
doubt about your ability to perform a service job, take
your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
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502 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Conditions that would require replacement:
• Rib chunking (one or more ribs has separated from beltbody)
• Rib or belt wear
• Longitudinal belt cracking (cracks between two ribs)
• Belt slips
• “Groove jumping" (belt does not maintain correct position on pulley)
• Belt broken
• Noise (objectionable squeal, squeak, or rumble is heard or felt while drive belt is in operation)
NOTE:
Identify and correct problem before new belt is installed.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Stop/Start belt must be
replaced with an OEM grade Mopar belt.
Some conditions can be caused by a faulty component such
as a belt pulley. Belt pulleys should be carefully inspected for
damage and proper alignment. Belt replacement on some models requires the use of special
tools, we recommend having your vehicle serviced at an
authorized dealer.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as seat
tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate, tailgate,
decklid, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be lubricated
periodically with a lithium based grease, such as Mopar
Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy operation and to
protect against rust and wear. Prior to the application of any
lubricant, the parts concerned should be wiped clean to
remove dust and grit; after lubricating excess oil and grease
should be removed. Particular attention should also be given
to hood latching components to ensure proper function.
When performing other underhood services, the hood latch
release mechanism, and safety catch should be cleaned and
lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a year,
preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small amount of a
high quality lubricant, such as Mopar Lock Cylinder Lubri
-
cant directly into the lock cylinder.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 505
(Continued)
Installing The Front Wipers
1. Lift the wiper arm off of the glass, until the wiper arm isin the full up position.
2. Position the wiper blade near the hook on the tip of the wiper arm.
3. Slide the wiper blade up into the hook on the wiper arm, latch engagement will be accompanied by an audible
click.
4. Gently lower the wiper blade onto the glass.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into the
vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system; or
if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle; or
when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged; have
an authorized technician inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken, damaged, dete -
riorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose
connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition, have the exhaust
system inspected each time the vehicle is raised for lubrica
-
tion or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
• Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can eventu -
ally poison you. To avoid breathing CO, refer to “Safety
Tips” in “Safety” for further information.
• 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 system.
Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas where your
exhaust system can contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effective -
ness of the catalyst as an emissions control device and
may seriously reduce engine performance and cause
serious damage to the engine.
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