2021 RAM 1500 check transmission fluid

13
Transmission Temperature Warning Light — If Equipped
Ú page 129
Door Open Warning Light Úpage 129
Yellow Warning Lights
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Fault Warning
Light — If Equipped
Úpage 129
Air Suspension Fault Warning Light — If Equipped
Ú page 129
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Warning Light (MIL)
Ú page 130
Electronic Park Brake Warning Light Úpage 130
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Active Warning Light — If Equipped
Úpage 130
Red Warning Lights
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Warning
Light — If Equipped
Úpage 131
Service LaneSense Warning Light — If Equipped Úpage 131
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light — If Equipped Úpage 131
Low Fuel Warning Light Úpage 131
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Warning Light
Ú page 131
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light Úpage 132
Rear Axle Locker Fault Indicator Light — If Equipped
Ú page 132
Service Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Light — If Equipped
Ú page 132
Yellow Warning Lights
1

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 13

STARTING AND OPERATING235
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Care should be taken when attempting to climb
steep hills or driving diagonally across a hill or
slope. If natural obstacles force you to travel
diagonally up or down a hill, choose a mild angle
and keep as little side tilt as possible. Keep the
vehicle moving and make turns slowly and
cautiously. If you must back down a hill, back straight down
using REVERSE gear. Never back down in
NEUTRAL or diagonally across the hill.
When driving over sand, mud, and other soft
terrain, shift to low gear and drive steadily.
Apply the accelerator slowly to avoid spinning
the wheels.
Do not reduce the tire pressures for this type of
driving.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your
vehicle than does most on-road driving. After
going off-road, it is always a good idea to check
for damage. That way you can get any problems
taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
Completely inspect the underbody of your
vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering,
suspension, and exhaust system for damage.
Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and
clean as required.
Check threaded fasteners for looseness,
particularly on the chassis, drivetrain compo
-
nents, steering, and suspension. Retighten
them, if required, and torque to the values
specified in the Service Manual.
Check for accumulations of plants or brush.
These things could be a fire hazard. They
might hide damage to fuel lines, brake hoses,
axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
After extended operation in mud, sand,
water, or similar dirty conditions, have the
radiator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake
linings, and axle yokes inspected and
cleaned as soon as possible.
If you experience unusual vibration after
driving in mud, slush or similar conditions,
check the wheels for impacted material.
Impacted material can cause a wheel imbal-
ance and freeing the wheels of it will correct
the situation.
Driving through standing water may cause
damage to your vehicle’s drivetrain compo -
nents. Always inspect your vehicle’s fluids
(i.e., engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for
signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is
milky or foamy in appearance) after driving
through standing water. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine
can cause it to lock up and stall out, and
cause serious internal damage to the
engine. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
CAUTION! (Continued)
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes
may cause excessive wear or unpredictable
braking. You might not have full braking
power when you need it to prevent a collision.
If you have been operating your vehicle in
dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and
cleaned as necessary.
4

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 235

426SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Special Additives
FCA strongly recommends against using any
special additives in the transmission. Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired
by supplemental additives. Therefore, do not
add any fluid additives to the transmission.
Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does
not require adjustment under normal operating
conditions. Routine fluid level checks are not
required, therefore the transmission has no
dipstick. An authorized dealer can check your
transmission fluid level using special service
tools. If you notice fluid leakage or transmission
malfunction, visit an authorized dealer
immediately to have the transmission fluid level
checked. Operating the vehicle with an
improper fluid level can cause severe
transmission damage.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid
installed at the factory will provide satisfactory
lubrication for the life of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter changes are not
required. However, change the fluid and filter if
the fluid becomes contaminated (with water,
etc.), or if the transmission is disassembled for
any reason.
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission
fluid to ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use only the
recommended transmission fluid
Úpage 478.
It is important to maintain the transmission fluid
at the correct level using the recommended
fluid. No chemical flushes should be used in any
transmission; only the approved lubricant
should be used.
REAR AXLE AND 4X4 FRONT DRIVING
A
XLE FLUID LEVEL
For normal service, periodic fluid level checks
are not required. When the vehicle is serviced
for other reasons the exterior surfaces of the
axle assembly should be inspected. If gear oil
leakage is suspected inspect the fluid level
Ú page 478. This inspection should be made
with the vehicle in a level position.
The fluid level should be even with the bottom
of the fill hole (within 1/4 in (6.4 mm) of edge of
hole) for the front axle and rear axle.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can damage
your transmission components. Such damage
is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit an
authorized dealer immediately. Severe
transmission damage may occur. An
authorized dealer has the proper tools to
adjust the fluid level accurately.CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid may
cause deterioration in transmission shift
quality and/or torque converter shudder
Ú page 478.

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 426

483
INDEX
A
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise
Control)
................................................ 177, 179Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............... 422Adding Fuel.......................................... 208, 210Additives, Fuel............................................... 469AdjustDown........................................................... 36Forward....................................................... 36Rearward..................................................... 36Up................................................................ 36Adjustable Pedals............................................ 43Advance Phone Connectivity......................... 279Air BagAir Bag Operation...................................... 344Air Bag Warning Light...................... 342, 345Enhanced Accident Response......... 353, 394Event Data Recorder (EDR)....................... 394Front Air Bag............................................. 345If Deployment Occurs................................ 352Knee Impact Bolsters................................ 349Maintaining Your Air Bag System.............. 354Maintenance............................................. 354Redundant Air Bag Warning Light.............343Transporting Pets...................................... 369Air Bag Light............................... 126, 342, 369
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner
Filter)............................................................ 411Air Conditioner Maintenance........................ 415Air Conditioner Refrigerant........................... 415Air Conditioner System................................. 415Air Conditioning................................................ 63Air Conditioning Filter..............................67, 415Air Conditioning System................................... 65Air Conditioning, Operating Tips....................... 66Air Filter........................................................ 411Air PressureTires......................................................... 450Air Suspension..................................... 165, 169AlarmSecurity Alarm....................................26, 127Alterations/ModificationsVehicle......................................................... 11Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................. 422, 474Disposal................................................... 423Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)...................... 310Anti-Lock Warning Light................................ 132Assist, Hill Start............................................. 317Audio Settings............................................... 266Audio Systems (Radio).................................. 236Auto Down Power Windows............................. 78Automatic Door Locks...................................... 30
Automatic Headlights.......................................54Automatic High Beams.....................................53Automatic Tailgate Release.............................85Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)..............65Automatic Transmission....................... 156, 426Adding Fluid.............................................. 426Fluid And Filter Change............................. 426Fluid Change............................................. 426Fluid Level Check...................................... 426Fluid Type........................................ 426, 478Special Additives...................................... 426Automatic Transmission Limp Home Mode... 159AutoPark....................................................... 141AUX Camera......................................... 204, 208Auxiliary Driving Systems.............................. 318Axle Fluid.............................................. 426, 478Axle Lubrication............................................ 426
B
Back-Up......................................................... 202Back-Up Camera........................................... 202Battery................................................. 128, 409Charging System Light.............................. 128Keyless Key Fob Replacement....................18Battery Saver Feature......................................57Belts, Seat.................................................... 369
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484
Blind Spot Monitoring
.................................... 318Bluetooth Connecting To A Particular Mobile PhoneOr Audio Device After Pairing
................275Body Builders Guide........................................ 11Body Mechanism Lubrication........................ 418B-Pillar Location............................................. 447Brake Assist System...................................... 311Brake Control System.................................... 311Brake Fluid.......................................... 425, 478Brake System...................................... 425, 467Fluid Check............................................... 425Master Cylinder......................................... 425Parking...................................................... 151Warning Light............................................ 126Brake/Transmission Interlock....................... 155Bulb Replacement......................................... 437Bulbs, Light.......................................... 371, 437
C
Camera.......................................................... 202Camera, AUX........................................ 204, 208Camera, Rear...................................... 202, 204Camper............................................................ 97Capacities, Fuel............................................. 474Caps, FillerOil (Engine)................................................ 404Radiator (Coolant Pressure)...................... 423Car Washes................................................... 462
Carbon Monoxide Warning................... 371, 372Cargo Light....................................................... 56CD................................................................. 268Cellular Phone.............................................. 309Center High Mounted Stop Light................... 442Center Seat Storage Compartment.................. 68Charge Air Cooler.......................................... 424Chart, Tire Sizing........................................... 444Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................................................. 138Checking Your Vehicle For Safety................. 369Checks, Safety.............................................. 369Child Restraint.............................................. 355Child RestraintsBooster Seats........................................... 358Child Seat Installation..................... 364, 365How To Stow An unused ALR Seat Belt.... 363Infant And Child Restraints....................... 357Locating The LATCH Anchorages.............. 362Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children.. 360Older Children And Child Restraints......... 357Seating Positions...................................... 359Clean Air Gasoline......................................... 469CleaningWheels..................................................... 456Climate Control................................................ 60Automatic.................................................... 60Manual........................................................ 63Cold Weather Operation............................... 146
Compact Spare Tire...................................... 455Connected Services...................................... 282Connected Services FAQ............................... 301Connected Services Features....................... 286Connected Services, Getting Started............ 284Connected Services, Introduction................. 282Contract, Service........................................... 480Controls........................................................ 259Cooling Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)............ 423Cooling System............................................. 421Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...................... 422Coolant Level................................... 421, 423Cooling Capacity....................................... 474Disposal Of Used Coolant......................... 423Drain, Flush, And Refill............................. 422Inspection................................................. 423Points To Remember................................ 424Pressure Cap............................................ 423Radiator Cap............................................. 423Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze)......................... 422, 474, 475Corrosion Protection..................................... 461Cruise ControlAccel/Decel.............................................. 178Cancel....................................................... 179Resume.................................................... 179Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 177, 179Cruise Light................................................... 136Customer Assistance.................................... 479Cybersecurity................................................ 236

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