check oil Ram 1500 2014 User Guide

NOTE:The presence of water in the gear lubricant will
result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage.
Limited-Slip Differentials
1500 Model rear axles equipped with a Limited Slip
Differential require that 5 oz. (148 ml) MOPAR® Limited
Slip Additive be added to the gear lubricant. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information. The MOPAR®
Limited Slip Additive should be added to the gear
lubricant whenever a fluid change is made to an axle
equipped with a Limited Slip Differential.
2500/3500 Model axles DO NOT REQUIREany limited
slip oil additive (friction modifiers). NOTE:
When refilling an axle with a Limited Slip Differ-
ential, (which requires a Limited Slip Additive), the
Limited Slip Additive should be added before the gear
lubricant is added to insure proper additive fill.
Transfer Case
Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler
plug. The fluid level should be to the bottom edge of the
filler plug hole with the vehicle in a level position.
720 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 transmission 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 723

•2500 – 3500 Models
• Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or twelve months on
2500 – 3500 trucks, whichever comes first.
• Severe Duty All Models
• Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the
vehicle is operated in a dusty and off road environ-
ment. This type of vehicle use is considered Severe
Duty Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•
Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and automatic transmission (six-speed only) as
needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 765

Maintenance Chart
Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X XX X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod
ends, and replace if necessary. XXX X X X X
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level.
If using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing, change axle fluid. XXX X X X X
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 767

Fluid Type........................... .721
Shifting ............................. .412
Special Additives ...................... .721
Axle Fluid ............................. .719
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) .................719
Back-Up Camera ......................... .210
Bar, Stabilizer/Sway System ..................472
Battery ................................ .701
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........30
Belts, Seat ...............................54
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................704
B-Pillar Location ......................... .545
Brake Assist System ...................... .528
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............526
Brake Fluid ............................ .717
Brake System ........................... .524
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .524Fluid Check
.......................... .717
Master Cylinder ....................... .717
Parking ............................. .521
Warning Light ........................ .286
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................403
Bulb Replacement ........................ .743
Bulbs, Light ............................ .124
Cab Top Clearance Lights ...................752
Camera, Rear ........................... .210
Camper ............................... .264
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .755
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .699
Power Steering ........................ .520
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................712
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..................121
Cargo Light ............................ .178
Car Washes ............................ .726
10
INDEX 785

Exhaust System.......................... .121
Exterior Lighting ......................... .170
Exterior Lights .......................... .124
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .701
Engine Oil ........................... .700
Engine Oil Disposal .....................700
Flashers Turn Signal .......................... .124
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ .646
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ........................ .585
Engine Oil ........................... .585
Fuel Requirements ..................... .582
Maintenance .......................... .586
Replacement Parts ...................... .586
Starting ............................. .585
Flooded Engine Starting ....................393 Fluid, Brake
............................ .760
Fluid Capacities ......................... .755
Fluid Leaks ............................ .124
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... .717
Power Steering ........................ .520
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........758
Fog Lights ............................. .174
Fold Flat Load Floor ...................... .246
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................629
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .436
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................675
Front Axle (Differential) .....................719
Fuel .................................. .577
Adding ............................. .586
Additives ............................ .580
Clean Air ............................ .578
Ethanol ............................. .578
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................588
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INDEX 789

Fog .................................174
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ................439
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................629
Headlights ........................... .170
High Beam ........................... .180
High Beam Indicator .....................288
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............180
Illuminated Entry ........................23
Instrument Cluster ..................... .284
Interior ............................. .175
Oil Pressure .......................... .289
Passing ............................. .180
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .288
Security Alarm ........................ .289
Service .............................. .743
Side Marker .......................... .754
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............290
Traction Control ....................... .536
Transfer Case ......................... .439Turn Signal
.......................... .124
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......284
Limited-Slip Differential ....................492
Loading Vehicle ......................... .588
Tires ............................... .545
Locks ..................................37
Automatic Door .........................39
Child Protection .........................40
Door .................................37
Power Door ............................39
Low Tire Pressure System ...................567
Lubrication, Body ........................ .704
Lug Nuts .............................. .630
Maintenance Free Battery ....................701
Maintenance Procedures ....................696
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .764
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......694
Manual, Service ......................... .780
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INDEX 793

Manual TransmissionFluid Level Check ...................... .720
Lubricant Selection ..................... .760
Memory Seat ........................... .162
Methanol .............................. .578
Mirrors ............................... .132
Electric Powered ....................... .142
Heated .............................. .144
Memory ............................. .162
Outside ............................. .139
Rearview ............................ .132
Trailer Towing ........................ .146
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................567
Mopar Parts ............................ .695
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .578
Multi-Function Control Lever .................179
Navigation System (Uconnect® gps) ............210New Vehicle Break-In Period
.................119
Occupant Restraints ........................50
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................72
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................577
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ..............474
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ..............474
Oil, Engine ............................. .697
Capacity ............................ .755
Change Interval ....................... .698
Dipstick ............................. .697
Disposal ............................. .700
Filter ............................... .700
Filter Disposal ........................ .700
Identification Logo ..................... .698
Recommendation ...................... .698
Synthetic ............................ .700
Viscosity ............................ .699
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... .700
794 INDEX