oil filter DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL 2006 3.G Owners Manual

Key Reminder
An alarm will sound to remind you if the key is left in the
ignition and the driver’s door is opened.
STARTING PROCEDURES
The Cummins Diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
•The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed
in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind
the oil filter. It requires a 110–115 volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
NOTE:The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized Mopardealer.
•A 12–volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids
in preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
•A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
AirTemperature Above 66°F (19°C)
Observe the Instrument Panel Cluster lights when start-
ing the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. Fully
depress and hold the clutch and shift into NEUTRAL for
a manual transmission. Models with manual transmis-
sion are equipped with a clutch interlocking cranking
system. The clutch must be fully depressed to start the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and look at
the instrument panel cluster lamps.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5

The lamps in the instrument panel cluster will illuminate
when the ignition key is first turned to the ON position.
This is a bulb check programmed to last for approxi-
mately 3 seconds. After the bulb check is completed, the
Malfunction Indicator Light and Brake Warning light will
remain on. After the bulb check is complete and the
WAIT TO START indicator goes out proceed to step 4.
CAUTION!
If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 —
Maintaining Your Vehicle, for water drain proce-
dures.
4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time as starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least two minutes before trying
again.
5. When the engine starts, release the key.
6. Check to see that there is oil pressure.
7. Release the parking brake.
Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66°F (19°C)
NOTE:The temperature displayed on the overhead
console (if equipped) does not necessarily reflect the
engine manifold air temperature. The wait-to-start lamp
will illuminate momentarily for a bulb check when the
ignition key is turned to the ON position, however when
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

ENGINE RUNAWAY
WARNING!
In case of engine runaway due to flammable fumes
from gasoline spills or turbocharger oil leaks being
sucked into the engine do the following to help
avoid personal injury and/or vehicle damage:
1. Shut off engine ignition switch.
2. Using a CO
2or dry chemical type fire extin-
guisher, direct the spray from the fire extinguisher
into the grille on the passenger side so that the spray
enters the engine air intake.
The inlet for the engine air intake is located behind the
passenger side headlamp and receives air through the
grille
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in
your Dodge truck. For most year-round service, No. 2
diesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 will pro-
vide good performance. If the vehicle is exposed to
extreme cold (below 20°F or -7°C), or is required to
operate at colder-than-normal conditions for prolonged
periods, use climatized No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No.
2 diesel fuel with 50% No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide
better protection from fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the
fuel filters.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending
agent. They can be unstable under certain conditions
and hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel
fuel.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Engine Compartment....................374
▫5.9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel...........374

Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........375

Replacement Parts......................375

Dealer Service.........................376

Service Information.....................376

Maintenance Procedures..................379
▫Engine Oil..........................379
▫Drive Belt...........................385▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................385
▫Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......387
▫Maintenance Free Batteries...............390
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............391
▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............392
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............393
▫Steering Linkage — Inspection............393
▫Front Prop Shaft Lubrication.............394
7

NOTE:The same oil change interval is to be followed
for synthetic oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, syn-
thetic oil must meet the same performance specifications
as petroleum oil.Engine Oil Filter
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for the
correct part number. The engine oil filter should be
changed ateveryengine oil change.
Engine Oil And Filter — Change
WARNING!
Hot oil can cause personal injury.
Operate the engine until the coolant temperature reaches
140°F (60°C). Shut the engine off. Remove the oil drain
plug.
Use a container that can hold at least 12 quarts (11.3
Liters) to hold the used oil.
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

CAUTION!
Overtightening may distort the threads or damage
the filter element seal.
Install the filter as specified by the filter manufacturer.
Turn the filter 3/4 to one full turn after making contact
with the gasket.
Check the condition of the threads and sealing surface on
the oil pan and drain plug.
Install the drain plug and sealing washer and tighten to
37 ft-lbs. (50 N·m).
Use only high-quality multi-grade lubricating oil in your
Cummins Diesel Engine. Choose the correct oil for your
operating conditions as outlined in the Selection of
Engine Oil.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.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

A visual inspection of the air cleaner filter element is
never recommended under normal circumstances. A
badly restricted element may appear clean while a soiled
element may be quite effective in filtering particles
without restricting air flow. Rely on the Filter Minder™
to determine when a filter change is necessary.
After a new filter element is inserted, press the rubber
button on the top of the Filter Minder™. This action will
reset the yellow disc to the clean position.
CAUTION!
When using an engine cleaner or a degreaser, be sure
to wrap and tape the Filter Minder™ to protect the
plastic housing from damage and discoloration.
CAUTION!
Many aftermarket performance air filter elements do
not adequately filter the air entering the engine. Use
of such filters can severely damage your engine.
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387
7

It is important that proper lubricant is used in the
transmission. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for the correct lubricant type. A band adjustment
and filter change should be made at the time of the oil
change.
The fluid and filter(s) should be changed and the bands
adjusted (if equipped) ) as specified in the Maintenance
Schedule (Section 8). Vehicles having severe usage should
follow Maintenance Schedule “B” of the Maintenance
Schedule (Section 8).
Severe usage consists of:
•Off-the-highway operation;
•Trailer towing;
•Snow plow operation;
•Prolonged operation with heavy loading, especially in
hot weather.NOTE:If the transmission is disassembled for any
reason, the fluid and filter should be changed, and the
bands adjusted (if equipped).
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any additives to the transmission. Exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be avoided,
since they may adversely affect seals.
Front Wheel Bearings
Front wheel bearings for all Dodge Ram Trucks are
sealed-for-life. They do not require greasing or seal
replacement. In some instances, these bearings will
“purge” excess grease and the bearing housing will look
slightly wet. This is normal.
•Periodic inspection for excess play is recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409
7

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Engine Coolant MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Or-
ganic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
Engine Oil For the proper quality and SAE Grade oil for your engine, refer to the section
Maintenance Procedures.
Engine Oil Filter MoparEngine Oil Filter, P/N 05083285AA or equivalent.
Engine Fuel Filter MoparFuel Filter, P/N 05015581AB or equivalent.
Fuel Selection Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier. For most year-round
service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 will provide
good performance.This vehicle is fully compatible with biodiesel blends
up to 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM specification D-975. (See page 314 for
more information.)
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE