automatic transmission Ram Cargo Van 2014 Owner's Guide

Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located on the left side of
the engine compartment.
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri- cal accessories.
Positive Battery Post
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 565

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........575
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .576
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............576
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .577
 REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................579
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .579
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........579
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .580
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... .583▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................583
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .584
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............586
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............587
▫ Body Lubrication .....................590
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............590
▫ Cooling System ..................... .592
▫ Brake System ....................... .598
▫ Automatic Transmission ................600
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated Onboard
Diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer or a
“CHECK GASCAP” message will be displayed in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
576 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer’s specified transmission fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for fluid specifications. 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.
600 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
Special Additives
The manufacturer 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 supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluidleaks. Avoid using transmission sealers 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
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 filler tube is capped and no dipstick is
provided. Your authorized dealer can check your trans-
mission fluid level using a special service dipstick. If you
notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction, visit
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 601

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission Use Only ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid. Fail-
ure to use ATF+4® fluid may affect the function or
performance of your transmission. We recommend
MOPAR® ATF+4® Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3. If DOT 3
brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR® Power Steering Fluid
+4, MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
626 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
Maintenance Chart
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 629

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if us-
ing your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing. X
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X
** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 631

Automatic Transmission....................444
Adding Fluid ......................... .601
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................602
Fluid Change ......................... .602
Fluid Level Check ...................... .601
Fluid Type ........................... .600
Gear Ranges .......................... .449
Special Additives ...................... .601
Torque Converter ...................... .456
Auto Up Power Windows ....................41
Battery ................................ .586
Jump Starting ......................... .564
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........27
Saving Feature (Protection) ................210
Belts, Seat .............................. .102
Blind Spot Monitoring ..................... .120
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................590B-Pillar Location
......................... .482
Brake Assist System ...................... .468
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............466
Brake Fluid ............................ .626
Brake System ........................... .598
Fluid Check .......................... .598
Parking ............................. .462
Warning Light ........................ .303
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................446
Bulb Replacement ........................ .620
Bulbs, Light ............................ .105
Calibration, Compass ..................... .323
Camera, Rear ........................... .232
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .624
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .518
Power Steering ........................ .461
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................595
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INDEX 645

Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)...........595
Cooling System .......................... .592
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............594
Coolant Capacity ...................... .624
Coolant Level ......................... .592
Disposal of Used Coolant .................596
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................593
Inspection ........................... .596
Points to Remember .....................597
Pressure Cap ......................... .595
Radiator Cap ......................... .595
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............593
Corrosion Protection ...................... .602
Cupholders ............................ .258
Customer Assistance ...................... .635
Data Recorder, Event .......................85
Daytime Running Lights ....................206
Dealer Service ........................... .579Defroster, Windshield
..................... .103
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................212
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................576
Dimmer Control ......................... .206
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ..................601
Oil (Engine) .......................... .580
Power Steering ........................ .461
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................570
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................596
Door Locks ..............................34
Door Opener, Garage ...................... .239
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................... .458
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy ......319
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) ......365
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INDEX 647