service interval DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

NOTE:Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply:
Refer to www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•The Airbag Warning Light does not come on or flickers
during the six to eight seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned ON.
•The light remains on or flickers after the six to eight
second interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving. NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer or any engine
related gauges are not working, the ORC may also be
disabled. The airbags may not be ready to inflate for your
protection. Promptly check the fuse block for blown
fuses. For proper location of airbag fuses, refer to “Fuses
(Integrated Power Module)” in Section 7. See your au-
thorized dealer if the fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to approximately five seconds of specific
vehicle data parameters (see the following list) in an
event data recorder prior to the moment of airbag de-
ployment, or near deployment, and up to a quarter-
second of high-speed deceleration data during and/or
after airbag deployment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if
an airbag deploys, or nearly deploys, and are otherwise
unavailable.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises areapparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
No chemical flushes should be used in any power
steering system; only the approved lubricant may be
used.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in Section 7 for the correct fluid type.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
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. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait for 15 minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil.
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 the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Materials Added to Engine Oil
Do not add supplemental materials, other than leak
detection dyes, to your engine oil. Engine oil is an
engineered product and its performance may be im-
paired by supplemental additives.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be changed ateveryengine
oil change.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct part number.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Filter
Care should be taken in disposing of the used engine
fluids from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately
discarded, can present a problem to the environment.
Contact an authorized dealer, service station, or govern-
mental agency for advice on recycling programs and
where used fluids and filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
340 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
this section for the correct fluid type. 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.
When checking the fluid level (4500/5500 only), the
vehicle should be in a level position. The fluid level
should be 1/4 in ± 1/4 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 the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
1 — 4500/5500 Rear Axle Fluid Fill Plug
2 — 4500/5500 Rear Axle Fluid Drain PlugMAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 3557

Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.
NOTE:The presence of water in the gear lubricant will
result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage.
Limited-Slip Differentials DO NOT REQUIRE any
limited slip oil additive (friction modifiers).
NOTE: Slight noise and mild shuddering may be evi-
dent while turning a vehicle with limited slip differential
on concrete or dry pavement. These conditions should be
considered normal operation of the limited slip
differential.
Transfer Case — If Equipped
Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler
plug. The fluid level should be to the bottom edge of the
filler plug hole with the vehicle in a level position.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturer ’s recommended transmis-
sion fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE