Windshield Ram 1500 2011 User Guide

Vacation/Storage
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 minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, can cause
odor, and if they enter the plenum they could plug the
water drains. In Winter months make sure the air intake
is clear of ice, slush and snow.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301

▫Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 540
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 540
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 541
▫ Cooling System ..................... 544
▫ Brake System ....................... 550
▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. 553
▫ Transfer Case ....................... 554
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 554
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 557
 Fuses .............................. 564
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 564
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 569 
Replacement Bulbs .................... 570
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 571
▫ Dual Or Quad Headlamp/Front Park And
Turn Signal — If Equipped ............. 571
▫ Fog Lamps ......................... 573
▫ Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup
Lamps ............................ 573
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
With Cargo Lamp .................... 575
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . 576
▫ Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker
(Dual Rear Wheels) — If Equipped ........ 578
▫ Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) — If
Equipped .......................... 579
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 580
524 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines or wet spots. If any of these conditions
are present, clean the wiper blades or replace as
necessary.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir is located under the hood and should
be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent only (not ra-
diator antifreeze). When refilling the washer fluid reser-
voir, take some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or
towel and wipe the wiper blades clean. This will help
blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
540 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
After the engine has warmed up, operate the defroster for
a few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or
freezing the fluid on the cold windshield. Windshield
washer solution used with water as directed on the
container, aids cleaning action, reduces the freezing point
to avoid line clogging, and is not harmful to paint or trim.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system. If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 541

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
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, and transmission and add as needed.
•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.8
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 587

Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 547
Cooling System ......................... 544
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 546
Coolant Capacity ..................... 580
Coolant Level .................... 544,548
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 547
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 544
Inspection .......................... 548
Points to Remember .................. 549
Pressure Cap ........................ 547
Radiator Cap ....................... 547
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....545,580,582
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 134
Cupholders ............................ 169
Customer Assistance ..................... 605
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 66
Daytime Running Lights ................... 127
Dealer Service .......................... 531 Defroster, Rear Window
................... 180
Defroster, Windshield ................84,293,299
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 130
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 365
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 556
Power Steering ...................... 391
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 518
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 547
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 152
Driving Off-Pavement ....................... 347
Off-Road .......................... 347
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 366
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 235
10
INDEX 617

Vehicle Loading...................... 412,453
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations .............. 7
Vehicle Storage ....................... 301,569
Video Entertainment System™
(Rear Seat Video System) .................. 286
Voice Recognition System (VR) .............. 101
Voltmeter ............................. 219
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster
Description) ......................... 206,210
Warnings and Cautions ..................... 6
Warranty Information ..................... 608
Washers, Windshield .................. 130,540
Washing Vehicle ......................... 558
Water Driving Through ..................... 366
Wheel and Wheel Trim .................... 560
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care ................ 560
Wheel Cover ........................... 505 Wheel Nut Torque
....................... 506
Winch ................................ 370
Accessories ......................... 374
Operation .......................... 375
Rigging Techniques ................... 388
Usage ............................. 370
Wind Buffeting ....................... 37,161
Window Fogging ........................ 301
Windows .............................. 34
Power ............................. 34
Rear Sliding ........................ 181
Windshield Defroster ...................... 84
Windshield Washers ................ 129,130,540
Fluid .......................... 129,540
Windshield Wiper Blades .................. 540
Windshield Wipers ....................... 129
Wiper Blade Replacement .................. 540
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... 130
632 INDEX