transmission fluid Ram 3500 2016 Owner's Guide

CAUTION!(Continued)
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
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. 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 — Eight-Speed Transmission
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
transmission has no dipstick. Your authorized dealer can
check your transmission fluid level using special service
tools.
If you notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction,
visit your authorized dealer immediately to have the
transmission fluid level checked. Operating the vehicle
830 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

with an improper fluid level can cause severe transmis-
sion damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe transmission dam-
age may occur. Your authorized dealer has the proper
tools to adjust the fluid level accurately.
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/
DID screen (refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center [EVIC]” or “Driver Information Display (DID)”
for further information).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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 831

5. Place the gear selector momentarily into each gearposition (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.
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.
832 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

8. Reinsert the dipstick. Check for leaks. Release theparking 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 — Eight-Speed
Transmission
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the
life of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. How-
ever, change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes
contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the transmission is
disassembled for any reason.
Fluid And Filter Changes — Six Speed
Transmission
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter(s) if the fluid
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the trans-
mission 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
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 833

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission – Eight-Speed Automatic Use only MOPAR ZF 8&9 Speed ATF Automatic Trans- mission Fluid, or equivalent. Failure to use the correct
fluid may affect the function or performance of your
transmission.
Automatic Transmission – Six-Speed Automatic with
Gasoline Engine (For Diesel Engine see Diesel Supple-
ment) Use only ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Failure
to use ATF+4 fluid may affect the function or perfor-
mance of your transmission. We recommend MOPAR
ATF+4 fluid.
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.
870 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Rear Axle – 1500 Models We recommend you use MOPAR Synthetic Gear Lubri-
cant SAE 75W-140 (MS-8985). Limited-Slip Rear Axles
require the addition of 5 oz. (148 ml) MOPAR Limited
Slip Additive (MS-10111).
Front and Rear Axle – 2500/3500 Models We recommend you use Synthetic, GL-5 SAE, 75W-90.
Limited slip additive is not required for Limited-Slip
Rear Axles.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR DOT 3. If DOT 3 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir – 2500/3500 Models We recommend you use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid
+4 or MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 871

Severe Duty All Models Only
NOTE:Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the
vehicle is operated in a dusty and off road environment
or is operated predominantly at idle or only very low
engine RPM’s. 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 875

Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By OilChange Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
• Lube the front drive shaft fitting (2500/3500 (4x4)
models only).
876 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

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
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) (six-speed auto-
matic only), if using your vehicle
for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing. X
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) (six-speed auto-
matic only). X
Inspect the transfer case fluid,
change for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing. XX
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 879

Disposal............................. .822
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................620
Appearance Care ........................ .833
Ashtray ............................... .235
Assist, Hill Start ......................... .623
Auto Down Power Windows ..................49
Automatic Door Locks ......................41
Automatic Headlights ..................... .171
Automatic High Beams .....................174
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........439
Automatic Transmission .................490, 833
Adding Fluid ...................... .831, 833
Fluid And Filter Changes ..................833
Fluid Change ......................... .833
Fluid Level Check ................829, 830, 831
Fluid Type ........................ .829, 870
Shifting .......................... .499, 511
Special Additives ...................... .830
Axle Fluid .......................... .827, 870Axle Lubrication
......................... .827
Back-Up Camera ......................... .212
Bar, Stabilizer/Sway System ..................568
Battery ............................ .301, 808
Charging System Light ...................301
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........31
Belts, Seat .............................. .120
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................811
B-Pillar Location ......................... .643
Brake Assist System ...................... .622
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............619
Brake Fluid ......................... .826, 870
Brake System ........................ .619, 825
Fluid Check .......................... .826
Master Cylinder ....................... .826
Parking ............................. .616
W

arning Light ........................ .298
10
INDEX 897