check oil Ram 1500 2015 User Guide

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified
fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 755

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.
For 1500 Model axles, the fluid level should be even with
the bottom of the fill hole (within 1/4 in (6.4 mm) of edge
of hole) for the FDU215 HD front axle and C235FE rear
axle.
For all 2500/3500 Model axles, the fluid level should be
1/4 in ± 1/4 in (6.4 mm ± 6.4 mm) below the fill hole on
the 9.25 in front and 3/4 in ± 1/4 in (19 mm ± 6.4 mm) on
10.5 in rear axles. The 11.5 in rear axle level should be
1/4 in ± 1/4 in (6.4 mm ± 6.4 mm) below the fill hole.
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.
784 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 axlesDO 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 785

Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using the
EVIC/DID screen, and operate the vehicle as required
to reach the normal operating temperature. If the
transmission is not functioning properly, or the vehicle
cannot be driven, see the NOTE and CAUTION below
about checking the fluid level at colder temperatures.
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 position
(allowing time for the transmission to fully engage 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 specified fluid (see#Fluids, Lubricants, 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.
788 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE: 1500 Models Only
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months on
1500 trucks, whichever comes first.
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 environment. 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)
and fill as needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 829

Maintenance Chart
Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000100,000110,000120,000130,000140,000150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,00048,00064,00080,00096,000112,000128,000144,000160,000176,000192,000208,000224,000240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. XXXXX
Inspect front suspension, tie rodends, and replace if necessary.XXX X X X X
Inspect the front and rear axlesurfaces. If gear oil leakage issuspected, check the fluid level.If using your vehicle for police,taxi, fleet, off-road or frequenttrailer towing, change axle fluid.
XXX X X X X8
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 831

Cab Top Clearance Lights...................816
Camera, Rear............................210
Camper................................268
Capacities, Fluid..........................819
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)...........................757
Power Steering.........................577
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................778
Carbon Monoxide Warning..................115
Cargo Light.............................176
Car Washes.............................791
Cellular Phone...........................398
Center High Mounted Stop Light..............814
Center Seat Storage Compartment.............240
Certification Label.........................646
Chart, Tire Sizing.........................598
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . .289
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety..............114
Checks, Safety............................114
Child Restraint............................83
Child Restraints
Booster Seats...........................87
Child Restraints.........................83
Child Seat Installation....................101
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt........99
Infants And Child Restraints................85
Install A LATCH-compatible Child Restraint.....98
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle
Seat Belt..............................100
Locating The LATCH Anchorages............95
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children.......90
Older Children And Child Restraints..........86
Seating Positions........................89
Cigar Lighter............................232
Clean Air Gasoline........................635
Cleaning
Wheels...............................792
Climate Control..........................400
850 INDEX

Lead Free Gasoline........................634
Leaks, Fluid.............................118
Life of Tires.............................618
Light Bulbs..............................118
Lights.................................118
Airbag................................79
Alarm...............................294
Anti-Lock.............................289
Anti-Lock Warning......................583
Automatic Headlights....................167
Brake Assist Warning....................591
Brake Warning.........................291
Bulb Replacement.......................809
Cap Top Clearance......................816
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..176
Center Mounted Stop....................814
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator).........289
Courtesy/Reading......................174
Daytime Running.......................168
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator.....591
Exterior..............................118
Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..171
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator................497
Hazard Warning Flasher..................685
Headlights............................166
High Beam............................178
High Beam Indicator.....................293
High Beam/Low Beam Select...............178
Hill Descent Control Indicator..............593
Illuminated Entry........................23
Instrument Cluster......................289
Interior..............................172
Oil Pressure...........................294
Passing..............................177
Seat Belt Reminder......................293
Security Alarm.........................294
Service...............................808
SideMarker...........................81810
INDEX 857