power steering Ram 1500 2009 User Guide

CAUTION!
Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified fluid
for the flushing procedure.
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, such as every fuel stop.The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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.
448 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
Transfer Case MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
Transfer Case — NVG 246 Only MOPAR NVG 246 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
Front Axle — Four-Wheel Drive
Models GL-5 SAE 75W-90 (MS-9763) or equivalent.
Rear Axle MOPARSynthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W-140 (MS-8985). Limited-Slip
Rear Axles require the addition of 118 ml (4 oz.) MOPAR Limited Slip
Additive or equivalent.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPARDOT 3 and SAE J1703 or equivalent. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not
available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARPower Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid or equivalent.
490 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months, which-
ever 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 “Odometer/Trip Odometer” under “In-
strument Cluster Description” in Section 4 of this
manual. At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 493

Power Steering........................ 345
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 461
Car Washes ............................ 470
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............83,390
Cargo Light ............................ 150
Cellular Phone .......................... 99
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 485
Center Lap Belts ......................... 49
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 194
Certification Label ....................... 396
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 364
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............239,445
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 82
Checks, Safety ........................... 82
Child Restraint .......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............72,76
Child Seat ............................ 69,74
Cigar Lighter ........................... 187 Cleaning
Wheels ............................. 471
Climate Control ......................... 293
Clock ........................ 261,262,265,274
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 292
Compass .............................. 253
Compass Calibration ..................... 254
Compass Variance ....................... 254
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 252
Conserving Fuel ...................... 251,252
Console, Overhead ....................... 171
Contract, Service ........................ 515
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 461
Cooling System ......................... 458
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 460
Coolant Capacity ...................... 488
Coolant Level ...................... 458,462
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 462
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 459
524 INDEX

Inspection........................... 462
Points to Remember .................... 462
Pressure Cap ......................... 461
Radiator Cap ......................... 461
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......459,488,489
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 160
Cupholders ............................ 189
Customer Assistance ..................... 513
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 67
Daytime Running Lights ................... 151
Dealer Service .......................... 447
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 199
Defroster, Windshield ................84,295,301
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 154
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 339
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................. 467
Power Steering ........................ 345 Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 462
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 174
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 341
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 251
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 290
E-85 Fuel ............................. 390
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 199
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 183
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 350
Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 350
Brake Assist System .................... 351
Electronic Stability Program ............... 356
Traction Control System ................. 351
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............... 320
10
INDEX 525

Engine Oil Disposal.................... 450
Flashers Turn Signal ...................... 85,152,227
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 432
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ....................... 393
Engine Oil ........................... 393
Fuel Requirements .................. 390,392
Maintenance ......................... 394
Replacement Parts ..................... 394
Starting ............................. 393
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 310
Fluid, Brake ........................... 490
Fluid Capacities ......................... 488
Fluid Leaks ............................. 85
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................. 467
Brake .............................. 464
Power Steering ........................ 345 Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
.......... 489
Fog Lights ....................... 148,241,483
Fold Flat Load Floor ..................... 201
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 326
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 420
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 436
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 465
Fuel ................................. 386
Adding ............................. 394
Conserving ........................ 251,252
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 396
Gauge .............................. 227
Light ............................... 234
Octane Rating ...................... 386,489
Requirements ...................... 386,488
Saver Mode ....................... 251,252
Tank Capacity ........................ 488
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel Optimizer ......................... 251
10
INDEX 527

Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 94
Overdrive .......................... 317,324
Overdrive OFF Switch .................317,324
Overhead Console ....................... 171
Overheating, Engine ...................... 228
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,517
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Park Sense System, Rear ................... 163
Parking Brake .......................... 346
Passing Light ........................... 153
Pedals, Adjustable ....................... 158
Personal Settings ........................ 255
Pets .................................. 81
Pets, Transporting ........................ 81
Phone, Cellular .......................... 99
Phone, Hands-Free (uconnect) ............... 99
Pickup Box ............................ 203 Placard, Tire and Loading Information
......... 367
Power Door Locks ........................... 30
Mirrors .............................. 96
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......183,188
Seats ............................... 136
Sliding Rear Window ................... 200
Steering .......................... 343,345
Sunroof ............................. 180
Windows ............................. 34
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 490
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 52
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 255
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 374
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......459,461
Radio, Satellite (uconnect studios)........... 285
10
INDEX 533

Sliding Rear WindowPower .............................. 200
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 378
Snow Plow ............................ 411
Snow Tires ............................ 379
Spark Plugs ............................ 489
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 160
Speedometer ........................... 228
Starting ............................. 25,309
Automatic Transmission ................. 309
Engine Fails to Start .................... 310
Remote .............................. 25
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ............ 309
Steering Power ........................... 343,345
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 156
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 291
Storage Compartment, Center Seat ........... 194Storage, Vehicle
...................... 303,480
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 480
Sun Roof .............................. 180
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 377
Sway Control, Trailer ..................... 361
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 450
System, Remote Starting .................... 25
Tachometer ............................ 227
Tailgate ............................... 216
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 297
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 227
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint .............72,76
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 156
Tip Start .............................. 310
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......367,377
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 366
Tire Markings .......................... 362
Tire Safety Information .................... 362
536 INDEX