check engine Ram 1500 2013 Owner's Guide

WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid Level
For normal service, periodic fluid level checks are not
required. When the vehicle is serviced for other reasons
the exterior surfaces of the axle assembly should be
inspected. If gear oil leakage is suspected inspect the
fluid level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. This inspection should be made with the vehicle in
a level position.
656 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque con-
verter shudder, and will require more frequent
fluid and filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for fluid specifications.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission. Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and
its performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives to the
transmission. The only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid leaks. Avoid using
transmission sealers as they may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check - Six-Speed Transmission
It is best to check the fluid level when the transmission is
at normal operating temperature (170-180°F / 77-82°C).
This normally occurs after at least 15 miles (25 km) of
driving. At normal operating temperature the fluid can-
not be held comfortably between the fingertips. You can
read the transmission sump temperature in the EVIC
display (see Electronic Vehicle Information Center [EVIC]
for further information).
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 659

Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using the EVICdisplay, and operate the vehicle as required to reach
the normal operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60 seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
4. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake pedal.
5. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi- tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the lever in PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until seated. 7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the “HOT” (upper) reference holes
on the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube
to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill.Use
ONLY the recommended fluid (see Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts for fluid specifications).
After adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick
tube, wait a minimum of two minutes for the oil to
fully drain into the transmission before rechecking the
fluid level.
660 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at 60-70°F / 16-21°C. Only use the COLD
region of the dipstick as a rough reference when setting
the fluid level after a transmission service or fluid
change. Re-check the fluid level, and adjust as required,
once the transmission reaches normal operating tempera-
ture.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50°F (10°C) it may
not register on the dipstick. Do not add fluid until
the temperature is elevated enough to produce an
accurate reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK, to
warm the fluid.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake. NOTE:
To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or replenishing fluid, make
sure that the dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is
normal for the dipstick cap to spring back slightly from
its fully seated position, as long as its seal remains
engaged in the dipstick tube.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter(s) if the transmis-
sion is disassembled for any reason.
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
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 661

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
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 thanyour authorized dealer, the message can be reset by refer-
ring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and transmission as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
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S696 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Fluid Level Check...................... .658
Fluid Type ........................... .658
Shifting ............................. .364
Special Additives ...................... .659
Axle Fluid ............................. .656
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) .................656
Back-Up Camera ......................... .193
Bar, Stabilizer/Sway System ..................419
Battery ................................ .641
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........30
Belts, Seat ...............................51
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................643
B-Pillar Location ......................... .488
Brake Assist System ...................... .471
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............470
Brake Fluid ............................ .654Brake System
........................... .469
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .470
Fluid Check .......................... .654
Master Cylinder ....................... .654
Parking ............................. .467
Warning Light ........................ .259
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................354
Bulb Replacement ........................ .678
Bulbs, Light ............................ .124
Cab Top Clearance Lights ...................686
Camera, Rear ........................... .193
Camper ............................... .245
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .689
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .639
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................650
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..................121
10
INDEX 715

Cargo Light............................ .170
Car Washes ............................ .662
Cellular Phone .......................... .314
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............684
Center Seat Storage Compartment .............219
Certification Label ........................ .532
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .483
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .257
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............120
Checks, Safety .......................... .120
Child Restraint ............................84
Cigar Lighter ........................... .212
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .522
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .664
Climate Control ......................... .314
Cold Weather Operation ....................345
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............313
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .498Console, Overhead
....................... .194
Contract, Service ......................... .707
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........650
Cooling System .......................... .647
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............649
Coolant Capacity ...................... .689
Coolant Level ......................... .648
Disposal of Used Coolant .................651
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................648
Inspection ........................... .651
Points to Remember .....................653
Pressure Cap ......................... .650
Radiator Cap ......................... .650
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............648
Corrosion Protection ...................... .661
Cupholders ............................ .214
Customer Assistance ...................... .705
Data

Recorder, Event .......................83
716 INDEX

Starting............................. .528
Flooded Engine Starting ....................345
Fluid, Brake ............................ .692
Fluid Capacities ......................... .689
Fluid Leaks ............................ .124
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... .654
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........691
Fog Lights ............................. .166
Fold Flat Load Floor ...................... .227
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................571
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .386
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................616
Front Axle (Differential) .....................656
Fuel .................................. .521
Adding ............................. .530
Additives ............................ .524
Clean Air ............................ .522
Ethanol ............................. .522Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
.....................531
Gasoline ............................. .521
Materials Added ....................... .524
Methanol ............................ .522
Octane Rating ......................... .521
Requirements ......................... .521
Tank Capacity ......................... .689
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .526
Fuel System Caution ...................... .530
Fuses ................................. .668
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................531
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .522
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .521
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................522
Gauges Speedometer ......................... .262
Tachometer ........................... .257
Gear
Ranges ............................ .365
10
INDEX 719

Cap Top Clearance..................... .686
Cargo .............................. .170
Center Mounted Stop ....................684
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) .........257
Courtesy/Reading ..................... .168
Daytime Running ...................... .163
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator .....480
Exterior ............................. .124
Fog ................................ .166
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ................390
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................571
Headlights ........................... .162
High Beam ........................... .172
High Beam Indicator .....................261
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............172
Illuminated Entry ........................22
Instrument Cluster ..................... .257
Interior ............................. .167
Oil Pressure .......................... .262Passing
............................. .172
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .261
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ...............262
Service .............................. .678
Side Marker .......................... .688
SmartBeams .......................... .164
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ...............262
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............262
Traction Control ....................... .480
Transfer Case ......................... .390
Turn Signal .......................... .124
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......257
Limited-Slip Differential ....................440
Loading Vehicle ......................... .532
Tires ............................... .488
Locks ..................................34
Automatic Door .........................37
Child

Protection .........................38
Door .................................34
722 INDEX

Power Door............................36
Low Tire Pressure System ...................508
Lubrication, Body ........................ .643
Maintenance Free Battery ....................641
Maintenance Procedures ....................636
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .696
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......634
Manual, Service ......................... .710
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ...................... .658
Lubricant Selection ..................... .692
Memory Seat ........................... .156
Methanol .............................. .522
Mirrors ............................... .131
Electric Powered ....................... .136
Heated .............................. .137
Memory ............................. .156
Outside ............................. .133Rearview
............................ .131
Trailer Towing ........................ .139
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................508
Mopar Parts ............................ .635
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .522
Multi-Function Control Lever .................171
Navigation System (Uconnect® gps) ............193
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................119
Occupant Restraints ........................47
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................69
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................521
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ..............421
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ..............421
Oil, Engine ............................. .637
Capacity ............................ .689
Change Interval ....................... .638
10
INDEX 723