engine coolant DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB 2008 3.G Owner's Guide

²Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Fan
Inspection
Check the fan for cracks and bent or broken blades. If any
of these conditions exist, you must replace the fan. Make
sure it is securely mounted.
NOTE:This service procedure must be performed by a
trained service technician. Make arrangements with your
authorized Dodge Truck Dealer for this inspection.
Charge Air Cooler Ð Inter-Cooler (Diesel
Engines)
The charge air cooler is positioned between the radiator
and the air conditioner condenser. Air enters the engine
through the air cleaner and passes through the turbo-
charger where it is pressurized. This pressurized air
rapidly reaches high temperature. The air is then directed
through a hose to the charge air cooler and through
another hose to the intake manifold of the engine. The air
entering the engine has been cooled by about 50 to 100
degrees Fahrenheit. This cooling process enables more
efficient burning of fuel resulting in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the system, keep
the surfaces of the charge air cooler, condenser and
radiator clean and free of debris. Periodically check the
hoses leading to and from the charge air cooler for cracks
or loose clamps resulting in loss of pressure and reduced
engine performance.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 439
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U.S. Metric
Engine Oil (with filter)
6.7L HO Turbo Diesel
Engine (SAE 15W-40, API
CJ-4 Certified, that meets
CES 20081 Standards.)12 qts. 11.4L
5.7L Gas Engine V-8 (SAE
5W-30, API Certified).
For trucks operating un-
der a gross combined
weight ratinggreater
than 14,000 lbs.7.0 qts. 6.6L
5.7L Gas Engine V-8 (SAE
5W-20, API Certified).
For trucks operating un-
der a gross combined
weight ratinglessthan
14,000 lbs.7.0 qts. 6.6LU.S. Metric
Cooling System
6.7L Diesel Engine I-6 22.6 qts. 21.4L
5.7L Gas Engine (Mopart
Antifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent18.7 qts. 17.7L
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 475
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FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Engine Coolant MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
6.7L HO Turbo Diesel Engine Oil Use (SAE 15W-40, API CJ-4 Certified, that meets CES 20081 Standards.)
5.7L Gas Engine Oil (For trucks operating
under a gross combined weight ratingless
than 14,000 lbs.)
Use SAE 5W-20, API Certified, meeting material standard MS-6395.
5.7L Gas Engine Oil (For trucks operating
under a gross combined weight rating
greater
than 14,000 lbs.)
Use SAE 5W-30, API Certified, meeting material standard MS-6395.
Engine Oil Filter (5.7L Gas Engine
)MopartEngine Oil Filter, P/N 5281090 or equivalent.
Engine Oil Filter (6.7L Diesel Engine
)MopartEngine Oil Filter, P/N 05083285AA or equivalent.
Engine Fuel Filter (6.7L Diesel Engine
)MopartFuel Filter, P/N 05183410AA or equivalent. Must meet 7 micron
rating.Using a fuel filter that does not meet the manufacturers filtration
and water separating requirements can severely impact fuel system life
and reliability.
476 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required. When refilling the washer fluid reservoir,
take some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or towel
and wipe clean the wiper blades, this will help blade
performance.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the batteries and clean and tighten the termi-
nals as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, transmis-
sion and transfer case (if equipped), add as needed.
²Check master cylinder reservoir fluid level for indica-
tions of brake maintenance.
²Check Filter MinderŸ. Replace air cleaner filter
element if necessary.
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 U-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.
²Lubricate outer tie rod ends (4X4) models only.
²Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4).
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 481
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Miles 45,000 52,500 60,000 67,500 75,000
(Kilometers) (72 000) (84 000) (97 000) (109 000) (121 000)
[Months] [36] [42] [48] [54] [60]
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not replaced at 100,000 miles (160 000 km).X
Inspect drive belt, replace as necessary. X X
Replace fuel filter element. X X X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Inspect and adjust parking brake if necessary. X X
Inspect fan hub. X
Inspect damper. X
Inspect front wheel bearings. X
Replace Crankcase Ventilation Filter (CCV). X
486 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Miles 82,500 90,000 97,500 100,000 105,000
(Kilometers) (133 000) (145 000) (157 000) (160 000) (169 000)
[Months] [66] [72] [78] [84]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.XXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant, if not replaced at
60 mos.X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Change front axle fluid (3500/4500/5500 4X4) (Die-
sel Engine only).XX
Change rear axle fluid (3500 4X4 and 4X2) (Diesel
Engine only).XX
Change automatic transmission fluid. X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required.* X X
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 487
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Miles 112,500 120,000 127,500 135,000 142,500 150,000
(Kilometers) (181 000) (193 000) (205 000) (217 000) (229 000) (241 000)
[Months] [90] [96] [102] [108] [114] [120]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and cor-
rect stowage.X X XXXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 120
months, if not replaced at 100,000 miles (161
000 km).X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required.* X X X
Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4X4). X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4).X
Change front axle fluid (3500/4500/5500 4X4)
( Diesel Engine only).XXX
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 489
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²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº under ªIn-
strument Cluster Descriptionº in Section 4 of this
manual.
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 whilethe 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 reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
492 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the manual transmission fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, snow-
plowing, heavy loading, taxi, police, delivery service
(commercial service), off-road, desert operation or
more then 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90FÉ (32CÉ).60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. 90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
Change the automatic transmission fluid & filter and
change main sump filter and spin-on cooler return
filter (if equipped).120,000 200 000 120
Replace Accessory Drive Belt(s). 120,000 200 000 120
496 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Adding Fuel........................343,345
Adjustable Pedals....................... 131
Air Cleaner, Engine
(Engine Air Cleaner Filter)............413,414,453
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 427
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............427,428
Air Conditioning System................237,427
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 240
Air Filter.............................. 414
Air Pressure, Tires....................323,333
Airbag..............................47,52
Airbag Light.........................75,175
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 52
Alarm, Panic............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm).................19,177
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Alignment and Balance................... 332
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 229Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............435,436
Capacities........................... 474
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............181,312
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 19
Anti-Theft System.....................19,177
Appearance Care........................ 457
Ashtray............................... 152
Auto Unlock, Doors...................... 146
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 82
Automatic Door Locks.................... 146
Automatic Transaxle...................... 12
Interlock System........................ 19
Automatic Transmission...........273,279,446,448
Fluid and Filter Changes..............448,450
Fluid Level Check................446,448,449
Fluid Type.....................446,448,478
Shift Indicator........................ 177
Special Additives...................448,451
Automatic Transmission (Diesel Engine Only).... 446
510 INDEX