check engine Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Guide

WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service or immediately
if the brake system warning lamp indicates system
failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” dot and an “MIN” dot. The fluid level must be
kept within these two dots. Do not add fluid above the
MAX mark because leakage may occur at the cap.With disc brakes the fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a system check
should be conducted.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.
WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or is unidentified as to specification,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
464 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than the manufacturer’s recommended fluid
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
If your vehicle is equipped with a dipstick, use the
following procedure. If your vehicle has a capped dip-
stick tube, it is sealed and should not be tampered with.
Your authorized dealer has the proper tools to ensure that
the fluid level is set properly. The fluid level should be
checked when the engine is fully warmed up and the
fluid in the transmission is at normal operating tempera-
ture. Operation of the transmission with an improperfluid level will greatly reduce the life of the transmission
and of the fluid. Check the fluid level whenever the
vehicle is serviced.
Fluid Level Check – 42RLE/545RFE
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 82°C (180°F). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (25 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature, the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 467

VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than 21 days, we
recommend that you take the following steps to mini-
mize the drain on your vehicle’s battery:
•Disconnect the Ignition-Off Draw (IOD) fuse located in
the Integrated Power Module, located in the engine
compartment. The IOD cavity includes a snap-in re-
tainer that allows the fuse to be disconnected without
removing it from the fuse block.
•The electronic shift transfer case should be placed in
the 4HI mode and kept in this position to minimize the
battery drain.
•As an alternative to the above steps you may discon-
nect the negative cables from both batteries.
•Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutesin the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
NOTE:
•When reinstalling the IOD fuse push firmly until fully
seated; the gauges in the instrument cluster will do a
full sweep when the ignition key is cycled to RUN.
This is a normal condition.
•When the vehicle is shipped from the factory, the IOD
fuse is in the up or extracted position. If the radio,
interior lamps, keyless entry or other features do not
work with the key OFF, check the position of the fuse
(or check to see if the fuse is blown) to ensure that it is
fully seated. When the IOD fuse is extracted, the
instrument cluster in the odometer window will dis-
play NO FUSE.”
480 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

•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
NOTE: ** Vehicle’s built with the 4.7L engine are
equipped with sixteen spark plugs. One set is located on
the top of the engine under the coils and the second set is
located on the side of the engine.
The spark plugs located under the coils are a standard
plug and must be changed every 48,000 miles
(80 000 km).
The spark plugs located on the side of the engine are a
premium plug and must be changed every 96,000 miles
(160 000 km).
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S494 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Fluid Level Check................... 466,467
Fluid Type ........................ 466,490
Gear Ranges ......................... 315
Shifting ............................. 320
Special Additives ...................... 469
Torque Converter ...................... 319
Axle Fluid .......................... 465,490
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............... 465
Back-Up Camera ........................ 168
Battery ............................... 451
Emergency Starting ..................... 433
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 24
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 151
Belts, Seat ............................ 41,84
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 453
B-Pillar Location ........................ 367
Brake Assist System ...................... 351 Brake Control System, Electronic
............. 350
Brake Fluid ......................... 464,490
Brake System ........................ 347,463
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................... 348,350
Fluid Check .......................... 464
Master Cylinder ....................... 464
Parking ............................. 346
Warning Light ........................ 235
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 313
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 81
Bulb Replacement ....................... 481
Bulbs, Light .......................... 85,481
Calibration, Compass ..................... 254
Camera, Rear ........................... 168
Camper ............................... 216
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 488
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... 449
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INDEX 523

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

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
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INDEX 527

Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster ............................ 54
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 152
Lap Belts .............................. 49
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 41
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren) ...................... 72
Latches ................................ 85
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 85
Life of Tires ............................ 376
Light Bulbs ............................. 85
Lights .............................. 85,146
Airbag ...................... 54,61,66,84,240
Alarm .............................. 230
Anti-Lock ........................... 241
Anti-Lock Warning ..................... 349
Automatic Headlights ................... 147
Brake Warning ........................ 235 Bulb Replacement
...................... 481
Cargo .............................. 150
Center Mounted Stop ................... 485
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ........ 239
Courtesy/Reading ..................... 172
Daytime Running ...................... 151
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 357
Exterior .............................. 85
Fog .......................... 148,241,483
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 420
Headlights ........................... 147
High Beam ........................ 153,234
High Beam Indicator .................... 234
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 153
Illuminated Entry ....................... 19
Instrument Cluster .................. 223,227
Interior .......................... 149,172
Lights On Reminder .................... 151
Low Fuel ............................ 234
530 INDEX

Oil Pressure.......................... 237
Passing ............................. 153
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 242
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 230
Service ............................. 481
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 230
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........... 237
Traction Control ....................... 357
Turn Signal ................... 85,152,481,484
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . 223,227
Limited-Slip Differential ................339,465
Loading Vehicle ......................... 396
Tires ............................... 367
Locks ................................. 29
Child Protection ........................ 33
Door ................................ 29
Power Door ........................... 30
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 72 Lubrication, Body
....................... 453
Lug Nuts ............................. 431
Maintenance ........................... 447
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 451
Maintenance Procedures ................... 447
Maintenance Schedule .................... 492
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) ..... 445
Manual, Service ......................... 517
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ..................... 466
Lubricant Selection ..................... 490
Memory Seat ........................... 141
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 252
Mirrors ................................ 93
Automatic Dimming ..................... 94
Electric Powered ....................... 96
Heated .............................. 97
Memory ............................ 141
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INDEX 531