2020 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 487
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.6L Engine With Stop/Start
1 — Motor Generator Unit Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap7 — Battery
2 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 8 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
3 — Engine Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 10 — Air Cleaner Filter
5 — Engine Oil Fill 11 — Motor Generator Unit Coolant Reservoir
6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
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488 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
5.7L Engine Without Stop/Start
1 — Air Cleaner Filter6 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
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 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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490 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Checking Oil Level
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 main-
tain 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.
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.
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 solu-
tion used with water as directed on the container, aids
cleaning action, reduces the freezing point to avoid line clog
-
ging, and is not harmful to paint or trim.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or loss
of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
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.
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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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492 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
DEALER SERVICE
An authorized dealer has the qualified service personnel,
special tools, and equipment to perform all service opera-
tions in an expert manner. Service Manuals are available
which include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these Service Manuals before attempting any proce -
dure yourself.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control systems may
void your warranty and could result in civil penalties being
assessed against you.
Engine Oil — Gas Engine
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance. Refer
to the “Maintenance Plan” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed
10,000 miles (16,000 km), 12 months or 350 hours of engine
run time, whichever comes first. The 350 hours of engine run
or idle time is generally only a concern for fleet customers.
Gasoline Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only recom -
mends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395.
WARNING!
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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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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