Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:If the transmission is disassembled for any
reason, the fluid and filter(s) should be changed.
It is important that proper lubricant is used in the
transmission. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse affect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 469

What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
•Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
•Stone and gravel impact.
•Insects, tree sap and tar.
•Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
•Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
Washing
•
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MOPARCar Wash or a mild
car wash soap and rinse the panels completely with
clear water.
•If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MOPAR Super Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover to remove.
•Use MOPAR Cleaner Wax to remove road film, stains
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
•Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials such
as steel wool or scouring powder which will scratch
metal and painted surfaces.
470 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Special Care
•
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
•It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and trunk be kept clear and
open.
•If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
•If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating, have your vehicle repaired as soon as pos-
sible. The cost of such repairs is considered the respon-
sibility of the owner.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
•Use MOPARTouch Up Paint on scratches as soon as
possible. Your authorized dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly with a
mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR
Wheel Cleaner or equivalent or select a nonabrasive,
non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel wool,
a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Only MOPAR or
equivalent is recommended. Do not use oven cleaner.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 471

Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or
harsh brushes that may damage the wheels’ protective
finish.
Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning Procedure — If
Equipped
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in the following man-
ner:
•Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
•Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
•For tough stains, apply MOPARTotal Clean or a mild
soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and remove the
stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to remove soap residue.
•For grease stains, apply MOPAR Multi-Purpose
Cleaner to a clean, damp cloth and remove the stain.
Use a fresh, damp towel to remove soap residue.
•Do not use any solvents or protectants on Stain Repel
products.
Interior Care
Use MOPAR Total Clean to clean fabric upholstery and
carpeting.
Use MOPAR Total Clean to clean vinyl upholstery.
MOPAR Total Clean is specifically recommended for
leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MOPAR Total Clean. Care should be taken to avoid
soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please
do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean your leather
472 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

upholstery. Application of a leather conditioner is not
required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlights and fog
lights (if equipped) that are lighter and less susceptible to
stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MOPAR
Glass Cleaner or any commercial
household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive type
cleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside rear win-
dow equipped with electric defrosters or the right rear
quarter window equipped with the radio antenna. Do
not use scrapers or other sharp instruments which may
scratch the elements. When cleaning the rearview mirror,
spray cleaner on the towel or rag that you are using. Do
not spray cleaner directly on the mirror.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 473

Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
Dry with a soft tissue.
474 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FUSES
Totally Integrated Power Module
The totally integrated power module (TIPM) is located in
the engine compartment near the battery. This center
contains cartridge fuses and mini fuses. A description of
each fuse and component may be stamped on the inside
cover, otherwise the cavity number of each fuse is
stamped on the inside cover that corresponds to the
following chart.
Cavity CartridgeFuseMini
Fuse Description
J01 30 Amp Pink Bat — Presafe #1
J02 30 Amp Pink Bat — Trailer Tow
Main
Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 475

Cavity CartridgeFuseMini
Fuse Description
J03 25 Amp Natural Bat — Passenger
Door Node
J04 40 Amp Green Bat — ABS Pump
J05 30 Amp Pink Bat — ABS Valve
J06 30 Amp Pink Bat — H/Lamp
Wash/MTV/
CM2200/Elec Vac
Pump
J07 25 Amp Natural Bat — Driver Door
Node
J08 30 Amp Pink Bat — DTCM/Axle
Locks
J09 30 Amp Pink Bat — Plg/Electric
Brake
J10 40 Amp Green Bat — L/Bar/Off-
RoadCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
Fuse Description
J11 30 Amp Pink Bat — Sway/
Thatchum/Rear
Doors
J12 40 Amp Green Starter Solenoid
J13 60 Amp Yel- low Bat — Rad Fan #1/
#2/SSR
J14 40 Amp Green Bat — Folding
Seat/PZEV
J15 60 Amp Yel- low Bat — IOD Main
J16 40 Amp Green Frt HVAC Motor
M17 25 Amp
NaturalBat — Sunroof/
Skylight
M18 25 Amp
NaturalTCM/Trans Range
476 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity CartridgeFuseMini
Fuse Description
M19 5 Amp
Ta nIgn R/ACC —
Sunroof/Window
Sw Illum
M20 25 Amp
NaturalFrt Wiper
M21 25 Amp
NaturalDoor Locks
M22 20 Amp
YellowFuel Pump
M23 20 Amp
YellowBat — Trlr Light/
Pre-Safe #2
M24 20 Amp
YellowBat — Trlr Tow
BUX/HGM
M25 10 Amp
RedBat — J1962 Diag/
Mirrors
M26 10 Amp
RedBat — Ign Sw,
WIN, PASSCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
Fuse Description
M27 15 Amp
BlueBat — CHMSL/
Brake Sw
M28 10 Amp
RedBat — Corax TPM/
PEM/HVAC Htr
Pump
M29 15 Amp
BlueBat — Folding Mir-
ror
M30 25 Amp
NaturalBat — Inverter
M31 20 Amp
YellowBat — Pwr Out #1
M32 20 Amp
YellowFr/Rr Washer
M33 15 Amp
BlueBat — NGC/
EATX/PCM
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 477

Cavity CartridgeFuseMini
Fuse Description
M34 15 Amp
BlueBat — CCN/
Interior Light/
SCM/Sw Bank
M35 20 Amp
YellowIgn R-Frt Seat/Vent
M36 20 Amp
YellowIgn R-Rear Seat/
Steer Wheel
M37 10 Amp
RedHorn #1
M38 20 Amp
YellowIOD-CCN/Interior
Mods
M39 30 Amp
GreenIOD-Amp/Radio
M40 25 Amp
NaturalRear WiperCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
Fuse Description
M41 15 Amp
BlueIOD-SDARS/VES
2–3/DVD/HFM/
UGDO/Vanity
Lamp
M42 10 Amp
RedIOD-HVAC,
U/Hood Lamp
M43 10 Amp
RedHorn #2
M44 10 Amp
RedIGN R/S-ORC/
OCM
M45 10 Amp
RedIGN R-ORC/Trail
Tow (BUX) Sense
M46 20 Amp
YellowIGN R-Trail Tow
(BUX)
M47 10 Amp
RedIGN R-H/Lamp
Wash/HVAC/Park
Assist/Ir Sns
478 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE