oil capacity DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2005 3.G Owners Manual

reserve fuel capacity, which corresponds to approxi-
mately 8% of tank volume. This reserve capacity was put
in place to prevent the likelihood of customers running
out of fuel when operating at maximum load conditions
in areas where there aren’t many gas stations. (See page
130 for more information.)
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•34 gallons - 2500/3500 short box models
•35 gallons - 2500/3500 long box models
28. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If thislight comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
29. Check Gages
This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gages indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gages carefully, and follow the instructions
above for each indicated problem.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gage, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gages may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
4

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 theengine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait at least 15 minutes after engine
shutdown to check the oil.
Checking the vehicle while it’s on level ground will also
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add oil
only when the level on the dipstick is below the “ADD”
mark. The total capacity from the low mark to the high
mark is 2 quarts (1.9 liters).
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 343
7

Cummins Turbo Diesel
Fill the engine with the correct grade of new oil. The
engine capacity is 11 quarts (10.4 liters) in the crankcase
and 1 quart (.95 liter) in the lubricating oil filter.
Start the engine and operate it at idle for several minutes.
Check for leaks at the lubricating oil filter and oil pan
drain plug.
Run the engine until it has reached operating tempera-
ture, stop the engine. Wait approximately 15 minutes to
let the oil in the upper parts of the engine drain back to
the pan. Check the oil level again.
Add oil as necessary to bring the level to the “SAFE”
mark on the dipstick.
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 your local dealer, service station, or governmen-
tal agency for advice on recycling programs and where
used fluids and filters can be safely discarded in your
area.
Drive Belt
Inspection
Check the belt for intersecting cracks.
•Transverse (across the belt width) cracks are accept-
able.
•Longitudinal (direction of belt length) cracks that
intersect with transverse cracks are NOT acceptable.
Replace the belt if it has unacceptable cracks, is frayed or
has pieces of material missing.
The engine speed sensor, located near the damper, should
be inspected for damage if a belt is frayed.
348 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Seat............................56,62
Cigar Lighter........................... 144
Climate Control......................... 204
Clock................................ 170
Clutch Linkage Maintenance................ 368
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 203
Compact Disc Player..................177,183
Compact Spare Tire...................... 272
Compass...........................131,132
Compass Calibration..................... 132
Compass Variance....................... 133
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 128
Console, Overhead....................... 127
Contract, Service........................ 426
Cooling System......................... 361
Coolant Capacity...................... 397
Coolant Level......................... 361
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 364
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 362Inspection........................... 361
Radiator Cap......................... 364
Selection of Coolant..................363,398
Temperature Gauge..................... 165
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 124
Cup Holder............................ 145
Customer Assistance..................... 424
Daytime Running Lights................... 117
Dealer Service.......................... 340
Defroster, Rear Window..............81,210,214
Defroster, Windshield..................206,209
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 120
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 254
Dipsticks.............................. 343
Power Steering........................ 356
Disc Brakes............................ 366
Disposal.............................. 348
Engine Oil........................... 348
434 INDEX

Exterior Lighting........................ 116
Fan .................................. 365
Filters
Engine Oil.....................343,346,398
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 118
Flat Tire Stowage.....................317,326
Fluid, Brake........................... 399
Fluid Capacities......................... 397
Fluid Level Checks
Brake............................... 367
Manual Transmission................... 370
Power Steering........................ 356
Transfer Case......................... 370
Fog Lights.......................... 117,396
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 148
Four Wheel Drive....................... 243
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 314Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 331
Front Axle..........................358,369
Fuel..............................281,315
Diesel.........................281,315,398
Gauge.............................. 168
Requirements......................... 281
Specifications......................... 284
Tank Capacity........................ 397
Fuses................................ 383
Garage Door Opener..................... 134
Gauges............................... 169
Coolant Temperature.................... 165
Fuel................................ 168
Oil Pressure.......................... 164
Speedometer......................... 164
Tachometer.......................... 163
Voltmeter............................ 162
Gear Ranges........................... 237
436 INDEX

Trailer Towing......................81,296
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 8
Mopar Parts.........................339,428
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 118
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 67
Noise Control
Maintenance.......................... 375
Tampering Prohibited................... 376
Noise Emission Warranty...............374,376
Occupant Restraints....................... 33
Odometer..........................167,168
Trip .............................167,168
Off-Pavement Driving.................... 310
Off-Road Driving........................ 310
Oil, Engine............................ 398
Capacity............................ 397
Change Interval....................... 344Dipstick............................. 343
Disposal............................ 348
Filter.........................343,346,398
Pressure Gauge....................... 164
Recommendation...................... 345
Viscosity............................ 345
Oil Filter, Change........................ 346
Onboard Diagnostic System................ 339
Opener, Garage Door..................... 134
Operating Precautions.................... 339
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 79
Overhead Console....................127,128
Overhead Travel Information Center.......... 128
Owner’s Manual........................ 429
Parking Brake.......................... 255
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch............. 51
Passing Light........................... 119
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 123
440 INDEX