check engine DODGE RAM 1500 GAS 2004 3.G Owner's Guide

At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check 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.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant bottle, brake master
cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
²Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
²Check the manual transmission fluid level.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
Tire Rotation
²Rotate the tires at 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
386 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Miles 18,000 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (29 000) (34 000) (38 000) (43 000) (48 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XXX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid and
change main sump filter (45RFE/545RFE only).X
SCHEDULE ªBº 389
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Miles 78,000 81,000 84,000 87,000 90,000
(Kilometers) (125 000) (130 000) (134 000) (139 000) (144 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.XXX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if re-
quired (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L).X³
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid and
change main sump and spin-on cooler return filter
(if equipped) [45RFE/545RFE only].X
SCHEDULE ªBº 393
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Schedule ªAº
Miles 6,000 12,000 18,000 24,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (10 000) (19 000) (29 000) (38 000) (48 000)
[Months] [6] [12] [18] [24] [30]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4).X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) mod-
els only.X X XXX
Inspect brake linings. X
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
SCHEDULE ªAº 397
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Miles 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000 60,000 66,000
(Kilometers) (58 000) (67 000) (77 000) (84 000) (96 000) (106 000)
[Months] [36] [42] [48] [54] [60] [66]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X XXXXX
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4)
models only.X X XXXX
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60
months, regardless of mileage.X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Replace ignition cables.X
398 SCHEDULE ªAº
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Miles 72,000 78,000 84,000 90,000 96,000 100,000
(Kilometers) (115000) (125 000) (134 000) (144 000) (154 000) 160 000
[Months] [72] [78] [84] [90] [96]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4)
models only.X X XXX
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Flush and replace Power Steering Fluid. X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if
required (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L).X
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid
and change main sump filter and spin-on
cooler return filter (if equipped) [45RFE/
545RFE only].X
SCHEDULE ªAº 399
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Adding Fuel........................259,295
Air Cleaner, Engine...................334,357
Air Conditioner Maintenance............327,338
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.......327,328,338,339
Air Conditioning System.............187,327,338
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 191
Air Pressure, Tires....................244,251
Airbag..............................45,50
Airbag Light.........................70,144
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 50
Airbag, Side............................ 53
Alarm..............................29,147
Alignment and Balance................... 250
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............346,379
Anti-Lock Brake System................... 231
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............148,232
Anti-Theft System.....................29,147
Appearance Care........................ 361Ashtray............................... 127
Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid......................... 353
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 355
Fluid Level Check...................... 352
Fluid Type........................354,382
Shift Indicator........................ 147
Shifting............................. 208
Special Additives...................... 355
Axle Fluid.......................272,350,382
Axle Lubrication.....................272,350
Ball Joints............................. 340
Battery............................... 337
Emergency Starting..................... 312
Bearings.............................. 355
Belts, Drive............................ 333
Belts, Seat.............................. 34
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 341
414 INDEX

B-Pillar Location........................ 239
Brake Fluid............................ 382
Brake System........................230,348
Anti-Lock.........................231,232
Disc Brakes.......................... 348
Hoses.............................. 349
Master Cylinder....................... 348
Parking............................. 229
Warning Light........................ 147
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 67
Bulb Replacement....................... 366
Bulbs, Light............................ 366
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 374
Calibration, Compass..................... 117
Camper............................... 135
Capacities, Fluid........................ 379
Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 339Car Washes............................ 361
Carbon Monoxide Warning............69,136,262
Cargo Light............................ 103
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 183
Cassette Tape Player................151,154,158
Catalytic Converter....................266,335
CD Changer...................155,166,172,173
CD Player..................164,168,171,175,177
Cellular Phone.......................... 79
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 372
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 129
Certification Label....................... 267
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 236
Check Engine Light...................... 143
Child Restraint........................55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,63
Child Seat............................56,62
Cigar Lighter........................... 127
INDEX 415
10

Exhaust System.......................69,343
Exterior Lighting........................ 101
Filters
Air Cleaner........................334,357
Engine Fuel.......................... 334
Engine Oil........................333,381
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 332
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 103
Flat Tire Stowage.....................301,311
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 265
Engine Oil........................... 264
Fuel Requirements..................262,263
Maintenance.......................... 265
Replacement Parts..................... 265
Starting............................. 265
Flooded Engine Starting................... 206Fluid, Brake........................... 382
Fluid Capacities......................... 379
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 352
Power Steering........................ 339
Fog Lights..........................102,378
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 130
Four Wheel Drive....................... 216
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 294
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 316
Front Axle............................. 350
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 355
Fuel................................. 256
Adding............................. 259
Filter............................... 334
Gauge.............................. 150
Octane Rating......................256,381
Requirements......................256,379
Tank Capacity........................ 379
418 INDEX

Hub Caps............................. 308
Ignition.............................14,204
Key ............................... 11,14
Lock................................ 14
Infant Restraint........................55,56
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 251
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 75
Instrument Cluster....................142,143
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 141
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 364
Interior Appearance Care.................. 363
Intermittent Wipers...................... 105
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 296
Jack Operation.......................... 302
Jump Starting.......................... 312Key, Replacement........................ 12
Key, Sentry............................. 11
Key-In Reminder......................... 11
Keyless Entry System...................... 22
Keys................................ 11,16
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 103
Lap Belts.............................. 42
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 34
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 59
Lights...............................70,99
Airbag............................55,144
Anti-Lock Warning..................148,232
Battery Saver......................... 100
Brake Warning........................ 147
Bulb Replacement...................... 366
Cap Top Clearance..................... 374
Center Mounted Stop................... 372
Check Engine......................... 143
420 INDEX