check engine light DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2006 3.G User Guide

NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the “TOW HAUL OD/OFF” feature ON when
driving in hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive
position 2 on more severe grades.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

Always check the condition of the used oil. This can give
you an indication of some engine problems that might
exist.
•Thin, black oil indicates fuel dilution.
•Milky discoloration indicates coolant dilution.
Clean the area around the oil filter base. Remove the filter
from the underside of the vehicle using a cap style oil
filter wrench.
Clean the gasket surface of the filter mount. The filter
gasket can stick on the filter mount. Make sure it is
removed.
Change the engine oil filter with every engine oil change.
Only a high quality MOPAR filter should be used to
assure most efficient service.
CAUTION!
The filtering medium of other aftermarket filters
may disintegrate. Debris from failed filters may plug
the piston oil cooling nozzles, resulting in scuffed
pistons and engine failure.
CAUTION!
Fill the oil filter element with clean oil before
installation. Use the same type oil that will be used
in the engine. When filling the oil filter, prevent
foreign material from falling into the filter. Severe
engine damage may occur.
Apply a light film of lubricating oil to the sealing surface
of the filter gasket before installing the filter.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
7

Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the batteries and clean and tighten the termi-
nals as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and transfer case (if
equipped), add as needed.
•Check Filter Minder™. Replace air cleaner filter
element if necessary.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the U-Joints ( if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the manual transmission fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) models
only.
•Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (2500/3500, 4X4).
444 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 385,412
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 391
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............391,392
Air Conditioning System................234,391
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 238
Air Filter.............................. 385
Air Pressure, Tires....................301,309
Airbag..............................43,49
Airbag Light.........................72,178
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 49
Airbag, Side............................ 52
Alarm, Out of Park Sense.................. 271
Alarm (Security Alarm).................26,180
Alignment and Balance................... 308
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 227
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................ 400
Capacities........................... 437
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............182,290Anti-Theft System.....................26,180
Appearance Care........................ 416
Ashtray............................... 152
Automatic Transmission................... 407
Adding Fluid......................... 407
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 408
Fluid Level Check...................... 407
Fluid Type........................408,439
Shift Indicator........................ 180
Shifting............................. 266
Special Additives...................... 409
Axle Fluid..........................406,439
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 406
Ball Joints............................. 393
Battery............................... 390
Blanket..........................261,391
Emergency Starting..................... 363
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 121
478 INDEX

Bearings.............................. 409
Belts, Drive............................ 385
Belts, Seat.............................. 31
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 394
B-Pillar Location........................ 296
Brake Fluid............................ 439
Brake System........................287,403
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 288
Disc Brakes.......................... 403
Fluid Check.......................... 403
Hoses.............................. 405
Master Cylinder....................... 403
Parking............................. 286
Warning Light........................ 182
Bulb Replacement....................... 424
Bulbs, Light............................ 424
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 431
Calibration, Compass..................... 138Camper............................... 167
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 437
Capacities, Fluid........................ 437
Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 392
Car Washes............................ 416
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............71,169
Cargo Light............................ 124
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 229
CD (Compact Disc) Player............186,194,208
Cellular Phone.......................... 83
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 430
Center Lap Belts......................... 40
Center Seat Storage Compartment.........157,158
Certification Label....................... 319
Charge Air Cooler....................... 402
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 293
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 181
Child Restraint........................55,56
INDEX 479
10

Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 400
Event Data Recorder...................... 54
Exhaust Gas Caution................71,169,397
Exhaust System.................71,396,397,412
Exterior Lighting........................ 122
Fan .................................. 402
Filters
Engine Oil.....................379,382,438
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 124
Flat Tire Stowage.....................352,362
Fluid, Brake........................... 439
Fluid Capacities......................... 437
Fluid Level Checks
Brake............................... 403
Manual Transmission................... 406
Power Steering........................ 392
Transfer Case......................... 406Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 438
Fog Lights.......................123,183,436
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 162
Four Wheel Drive....................... 273
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 350
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 366
Front Axle (Differential)................394,405
Fuel..............................314,318
Diesel.........................314,318,438
Gauge.............................. 184
Requirements......................... 314
Specifications......................... 317
Tank Capacity........................ 437
Fuses................................ 420
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 141
Gauges............................... 177
Coolant Temperature.................... 179
Fuel................................ 184
482 INDEX

Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 78
Instrument Cluster....................176,177
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 175
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 419
Integrated Power Module.................. 420
Interior Appearance Care.................. 418
Interior Lights.......................... 120
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 126
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 351
Jack Operation.......................... 353
Jump Starting.......................... 363
Key, Replacement........................ 13
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 12
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 22
Keys................................12,17Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 124
Lap Belts.............................. 40
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 31
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 60
Life of Tires............................ 307
Lights..............................72,120
Airbag............................53,178
Anti-Lock Warning..................182,290
Brake Warning........................ 182
Bulb Replacement...................... 424
Cap Top Clearance..................... 431
Cargo .............................. 124
Center Mounted Stop................... 430
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)........ 181
Courtesy/Reading..................... 134
Cruise.............................. 185
Daytime Running...................... 123
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 433
Fog ..........................123,183,436
484 INDEX