Ram 1500 2015 Diesel Supplement

engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle. •
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze)
needs to be added, the contents of the coolant expansion
bottle must also be protected against freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 119

•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install ONLY
the correct type thermostat. Other designs may result in
unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler
The charge air cooler is positioned in front of the radiator
and the air conditioner condenser. Air enters the engine
through the air cleaner and passes through the turbo-
charger, where it is pressurized. This pressurized air
rapidly reaches high temperature. The air is then directed
through a hose to the charge air cooler and through
another hose to the intake manifold of the engine. This
cooling process enables more efficient burning of fuel
resulting in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the system, keep
the surfaces of the charge air cooler, condenser and radiator
clean and free of debris. Periodically check the hoses leading to and from the charge air cooler for cracks or loose
clamps resulting in loss of pressure and reduced engine
performance.
Brake System
Brake Master Cylinder — Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immedi-
ately if the “Brake System Warning Light” indicates
system failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” mark and a “MIN” mark. The fluid level must be
kept within these two marks. Do not add fluid above the
full 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.
120 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.
• 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
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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 accident.
• 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.
• 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 an accident.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 121

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
3.0L Diesel Engine 26 Gallons 98.5 Liters
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank 8 Gallons 30.3 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
3.0 Liter Diesel Engine (SAE 5W-30 Synthetic, API Certified Low Ash) 10.5 Quarts 10 Liters
Cooling System
3.0L Turbo Diesel Engine (MOPAR® Engine Coolant/Antifreeze 10 Year/
150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology)) 11.6 Quarts 11 Liters
122 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT(Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil Only use ACEA C3 5W-30 Synthetic Low Ash engine oil meeting FCA US Material Standard
MS-11106 or Pennzoil Ultra Euro L full synthetic 5W-30 motor oil.
Engine Oil Filter We recommend you use MOPAR® Engine Oil Filters.
Fuel Filters We recommend you use MOPAR® Fuel Filter. Must meet 3 micron rating. Using a fuel filter
that does not meet the manufacturers filtration and water separating requirements can
severely impact fuel system life and reliability.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 123

Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Fuel Selection Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in your vehicle. Federal law requiresthat you must fuel this vehicle with Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (15 ppm Sulfur
maximum) and prohibits the use of Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (500 ppm Sulfur
maximum) to avoid damage to the emissions control system.
For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 Grade S15 will
provide good performance. We recommend you use a blend of up to 5% biodiesel, meeting
ASTM specification D-975 with your diesel engine.
This vehicle is compatible with biodiesel
blends greater than 5% but no greater than 20% biodiesel meeting ASTM specification
D-7467 provided the shortened maintenance intervals are followed as directed.
Diesel Exhaust
Fluid MOPAR® Diesel Exhaust Fluid (API Certified) (DEF) or equivalent that has been API
Certified to the ISO 22241 standard. Use of fluids not API Certified to ISO 22241 may result
in system damage.
124 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold (below
20°F or -7°C), or is required to operate at colder-than-
normal conditions for prolonged periods, use climatized
No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel fuel with 50%
No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better protection from
fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filter.
CAUTION!
• Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 125

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission Only use Mopar® ZF 8&9 Speed ATF™ Automatic Transmission Fluid or
equivalent. Failure to use the correct fluid may affect the function or perfor-
mance of your transmission.
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR® BW44–44 Transfer Case Fluid.
Front Axle – 1500 Four-Wheel
Drive Models We recommend you use MOPAR® GL-5 Synthetic Axle Lubricant SAE 75W-85.
Rear Axle We recommend you use MOPAR® Synthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W-140
(MS-8985). Limited-Slip Rear Axles require the addition of 5 oz. (148 ml)
MOPAR® Limited Slip Additive (MS-10111).
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3 Brake Fluid, SAE J1703 should be
used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is
acceptable.
126 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
CONTENTS
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .............128
▫ Maintenance Chart — Diesel Fuel Up To B5
Biodiesel .......................... .130▫
Additional Maintenance — B6 To B20
Biodiesel .......................... .133
6

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 will influence when the “Oil
Change Required” message is displayed. Severe Operat-
ing 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 otherthan your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)” in “Understanding 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 and power steering, and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
128 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE