engine DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Manual Online

WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to negative
(-) post of booster battery. Connect the other end of the
jumper cable to a good ground on the engine block of the
Attaching Booster Cables
1 — Discharged Battery
2 — Booster Battery
328 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a good
connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
WARNING!
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting to jump-start.
3. Take care that the clamps from one cable do not
inadvertently touch clamps from the other cable. Do not
lean over the battery when making connection. The
negative connection must provide good electrical con-
ductivity and current carrying capacity. 4. After the engine is started or if the engine fails to start,
cables must be disconnected in the following order:
a. Disconnect the negative cable at the engine ground.
b. Disconnect the negative cable at the negative post
on booster battery.
c. Disconnect the cable from the positive post of both
batteries.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 329
6

With Portable Starting Unit
There are many types of these units available. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for necessary precautions
and operation.
CAUTION!
It is very important that the starting unit operating
voltage does not exceed 12-Volts DC or damage to
battery, starter motor, alternator, or electrical system
may occur.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the shift lever
rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE while ap-
plying slight pressure to the accelerator.In general, the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine, is most effective. Racing the
engine or spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of
not freeing the vehicle, may lead to transmission over-
heating and failure. Allow the engine to idle with the
shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least one minute after
every five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize
overheating and reduce the risk of transmission failure
during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
NOTE:
For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
330 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment— 5.7L .............. 335
 Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) ....... 336
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 336
 Replacement Parts ..................... 337
 Dealer Service ........................ 337
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 338
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 338
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 340
▫ Maintenance Free Battery .............. 341 ▫
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 342
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 343
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 344
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 344
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 345
▫ Cooling System ..................... 348
▫ Brake System ....................... 353
▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. 355
7

▫Transfer Case — If Equipped ............ 356
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 356
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 359
 Fuses .............................. 364
▫ Integrated Power Module .............. 364
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 369
 Replacement Light Bulbs ................ 370 
Bulb Replacement ..................... 370
▫ Headlight (Halogen)/Front Park And Turn
Lights ............................ 370
▫ Fog Lights ......................... 374
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lights — If Equipped . . . 375
 Fluid And Capacities ................... 377
 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ....... 378
▫ Engine ............................ 378
▫ Chassis ........................... 379
334 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT— 5.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 8 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Battery 11 — Coolant Pressure Cap
6 — Integrated Power Module MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 3357

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
Vehicles with 5.7L engines are equipped with a sophisti-
cated onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This
system monitors the performance of the emissions, en-
gine, and automatic transmission control systems. When
these systems are operating properly, your vehicle will
provide excellent performance and fuel economy, as well
as engine emissions well within current government
regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be driveable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions tests
can be performed.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle’s diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
gASCAP message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Press the odometer reset button to turn the
message off. If the problem persists, the message will
336 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 the engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait for 15 minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
For trucks with a 5.7L engine operating under a gross
combined weight rating of 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) or greater,
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures.
For all other trucks with a 5.7L engine operating under a
gross weight rating less than 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) SAE
5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating tem-
peratures. These engine oils improve low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location, refer to
“Engine Compartment” in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 339
7

Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added to Engine Oil
Do not add supplemental materials, other than leak
detection dyes, to your engine oil. Engine oil is an
engineered product and its performance may be im-
paired by supplemental additives.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be changed ateveryengine
oil change.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct part number.
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 an authorized dealer, service station, or govern-
mental agency for advice on recycling programs and
where used fluids and filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
340 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE