automatic transmission Ram Cargo Van 2015 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
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 563

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 ...........580
▫ 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
7

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, visit7
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 627

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 using 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.
634 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Disposal............................. .596
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................289
Appearance Care ........................ .602
Ashtray ............................... .253
Assistance Towing ........................ .138
Assist, Hill Start ......................... .472
Auto Down Power Windows ..................47
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................118
Automatic Door Locks ......................38
Automatic Headlights ..................... .200
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........420
Automatic Transmission ....................442
Adding Fluid ......................... .601
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................602
Fluid Change ......................... .602
Fluid Level Check ...................... .601
Fluid Type ........................... .600
Gear Ranges .......................... .447
Special Additives ...................... .601Torque Converter
...................... .454
Auto Up Power Windows ....................47
Battery ................................ .586
Jump Starting ......................... .562
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........28
Saving Feature (Protection) ................204
Belts, Seat .............................. .107
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................590
B-Pillar Location ......................... .482
Brake Assist System ...................... .466
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............463
Brake Fluid ............................ .627
Brake System ........................... .462
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .462
Fluid Check .......................... .599
Parking ............................. .460
Brake/T

ransmission Interlock .................444
10
INDEX 649

DipsticksAutomatic Transmission ..................601
Oil (Engine) .......................... .580
Power Steering ........................ .459
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................569
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................596
Door Locks Door Locks ............................35
KeyFob...............................35
Remote ...............................35
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................35
Door Opener, Garage ...................... .232
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................... .456
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy ......314
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) ......362E-85 Fuel
.............................. .516
Economy (Fuel) Mode ..................... .445
Electrical Power Outlets .....................244
Electric Remote Mirrors .....................119
Electronic Brake Control System ...............463
Brake Assist System .....................466
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........212
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............467
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......303
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ..................540
Jacking .............................. .543
Jump Starting ......................... .562
Overheating .......................... .540
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........577
Engine Air Cleaner .......................... .583
Block Heater ......................... .442
Break-In Recommendations ................105
652 INDEX

Maintenance.......................... .518
Replacement Parts ...................... .518
Starting ............................. .518
Flooded Engine Starting ....................440
Floor Console ........................... .261
Fluid Capacities ......................... .624
Fluid Leaks .............................110
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................601
Brake ............................... .599
Cooling System ........................ .592
Power Steering ........................ .459
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........625
Fog Lights ............................. .289
Fog Light Service ........................ .621
Fold in Floor (Stow n Go) Seating.............174
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................566
Fuel ...................................511
Adding ............................. .519Additives
............................ .514
Clean Air ............................ .512
Conserving ........................... .314
Economy Mode ....................... .445
Ethanol ............................. .512
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................289
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ....................289
Gasoline ..............................511
Materials Added ....................... .514
Methanol ............................ .512
Octane Rating ..........................511
Requirements ..........................511
Saver Mode .......................... .314
Tank Capacity ......................... .624
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .516
Fueling ............................... .519
Fuel Optimizer .......................... .314
Fuel

Saver ............................. .314
Fuses ................................. .609
654 INDEX