maintenance RAM CHASSIS CAB 2011 Owner's Guide

Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse affect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle. The most common causes are:
• Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
• Stone and gravel impact.
• Insects, tree sap and tar.
• Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
• Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
Washing
• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MOPAR  Car Wash or equiva-
lent, or a mild car wash soap and rinse the panels
completely with clear water.
• If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MOPAR  Super Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover or equivalent to remove.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405

Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MOPAR  Glass Cleaner or any commercial house-
hold-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive type
cleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside rear win-
dow equipped with electric defrosters or the right rear
quarter window equipped with the radio antenna. Do
not use scrapers or other sharp instruments which may scratch the elements. When cleaning the rearview mirror,
spray cleaner on the towel or rag that you are using. Do
not spray cleaner directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULESCONTENTS  Emissions Control System Maintenance ...... 426
 Maintenance Schedule .................. 426
▫ 5.7L Gas Engine ..................... 426
▫ Required Maintenance Intervals .......... 428
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The Scheduled Maintenance services listed in bold type
must be done at the times or mileages specified to ensure
the continued proper functioning of the emissions control
system. These and all other maintenance services in-
cluded in this manual, should be done to provide best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions, such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving.
Inspection and service should also be done anytime a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE: Maintenance, replacement or repair of the emis-
sions control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part that has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
5.7L Gas Engine
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles, “Oil Change Due” will be displayed
in the EVIC and a single chime will sound, indicating that
an oil change is necessary.
On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles, “Change Oil” will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer and a single chime
will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.
Based on engine operation conditions the oil change
indicator message will illuminate, this means that service
is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced
as soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S 426 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

NOTE:
• The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
• Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
• Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Due” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” or under “Instrument
Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odometer” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
At Each Stop for Fuel
• Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
• Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 427

Once a Month
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
• Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
• Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
• Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation. At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
• Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
CAUTION!Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S 428 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

8,000 Miles (13,000 km) or
6 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of
irregular wear, even if it occurs before
8,000 miles (13 000 km).
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4
only).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer 16,000 Miles (26,000 km) or 12 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
16,000 miles (26 000 km).
❏ If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter; replace if necessary.
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4 only).
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the CV joints. Perform the first inspection at 16,000 miles (26 000 km) or
12 months.
❏ Inspect exhaust system. Perform the first inspection at 16,000 miles (26 000 km) or
12 months.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary. Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 429

24,000 Miles (39,000 km) or
18 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of
irregular wear, even if it occurs before
24,000 miles (39 000 km).
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4
only).
❏ Inspect the CV joints.
❏ Inspect exhaust system.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid,
change if using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing. Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer 32,000 Miles (52,000 km) or 24 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
32,000 miles (52 000 km).
❏ Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
❏ Replace the spark plugs.
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4 only).
❏ Adjust parking brake on vehicles equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.
❏ Inspect the transfer case fluid.
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S 430 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

40,000 Miles (65,000 km) or
30 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of
irregular wear, even if it occurs before
40,000 miles (65 000 km).
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4
only).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer 48,000 Miles (78,000 km) or 36 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
48,000 miles (78 000 km).
❏ If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter; replace if necessary.
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4 only).
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the CV joints.
❏ Inspect exhaust system.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing. Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 431

56,000 Miles (91,000 km) or
42 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of
irregular wear, even if it occurs before
56,000 miles (91 000 km).
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4
only).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S 432 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES