oil temperature Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2012 Diesel Supplement

Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
Use SAE 15W-40 MOPARor an equivalent engine oil
meeting Chrysler Material Standard MS-10902. Products
meeting Cummins CES 20081 may also be used. The
identification of these engine oils is typically located on
the back of the oil container.
In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), SAE 5W-40
synthetic engine oil that meets Chrysler Materials Stan-
dard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is
required.
CAUTION!
Failure to use SAE 5W-40 synthetic engine oil in
ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) could result
in severe engine damage. Engine oil not designated by the Chrysler or Cummins

Material Standards and API CJ-4 should not be used, as
engine and exhaust system durability may be compro-
mised. The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your engine. For infor-
mation on engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine
Compartment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 103

2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the shift lever in PARK.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill 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 approximately 70°F (21°C) (room tem-
perature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to check the level at the
normal operating temperature.
CAUTION!
Be aware that 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.
7. Check for leaks. Release parking brake.6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 125

To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain 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 Level Check – Chassis Cab Only
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature. This occurs after at least 15 miles
(25 km) of driving. At normal operating temperature, the
fluid cannot be held comfortably between the fingertips.
To properly check the transmission fluid, the following
procedure must be used.
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. Operate the engine at idle speed for a minimum of
60 seconds and normal operating temperature.3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the shift lever in PARK. Make sure the
engine is running at idle speed.
5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 160°F to 175°F (70°C
to 82°C). This is the normal operating temperature after
the vehicle has been driven at least 15 miles (25 km). The
fluid cannot be comfortably held between the fingertips.
Only use the cold region of the dipstick as a rough
reference when doing initial oil level set after transmis-
sion rebuild or transmission refill.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated.
126 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the HOT
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that a solid coating of oil is seen
on both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add
MOPARAS68RC Automatic Transmission Fluid or
equivalent as required into the dipstick tube. Do not
overfill. Never use any ATF other than MOPAR
AS68RC Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
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 approximately 70°F to 85°F (20°C to
30°C). If the fluid level is correctly established at room temperature, it should be between the HOT (upper)
reference holes when the transmission reaches 160°F to
175°F (70°C to 82°C).
CAUTION!
Be aware that if the fluid level 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
a accurate reading.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
NOTE: To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or adding 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 the seal remains engaged in
the dipstick tube.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 127

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hy-
brid Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
Engine Oil In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), 5W-40 syntheticengine oil
that meets Chrysler Materials Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine
oil category is required. In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C),
15W-40 engine oil that meets Chrysler Materials Standard MS-10902 and
the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Engine Oil Filter MOPAREngine Oil Filter or equivalent.
Engine Fuel Filter MOPARFuel Filter or equivalent. Must meet 5 micron rating. Using a
fuel filter that does not meet the manufacturers filtration and water
separating requirements can severely impact fuel system life and reli-
ability.
Crankcase Ventilation Filter MOPAR CCV Filter or equivalent.
134 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Temperature Gauge.................... 15
Exhaust Brake ........................... 50
Exhaust System ......................... 129
Filters Engine Fuel ........................ 106
Engine Oil .................... 100,104,134
Flashers Turn Signal ......................... 15
Fluid Capacities ......................... 133
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................. 121
Manual Transmission .................. 124
Transfer Case ....................... 123
Fluid, Brake ........................... 136
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 134
Fog Lights ............................. 24
Fuel ................................ 82,83
Adding ............................ 83 Diesel
......................... 82,83,134
Filter ............................. 106
Gauge ............................. 15
Requirements ........................ 82
Specifications ........................ 83
Tank Capacity ....................... 133
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 15
Fuel ............................... 15
Oil Pressure ......................... 17
Speedometer ......................... 16
Tachometer .......................... 15
Voltmeter ......................... 18,41
Gear Ranges ........................ 54,65,76
Idle Up Feature .......................... 44
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 25
Instrument Cluster ...................... 14,15
166 INDEX

Signals, Turn............................ 15
Speedometer ............................ 16
Starting .............................. 8,34
Automatic Transmission ................ 34
Engine Block Heater ................. 35,49
Manual Transmission .................. 34
Remote ............................. 8
Starting Procedures ....................... 34
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) ........... 34
Steering Wheel Lock .......................... 8
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 104
System, Remote Starting .................... 8
Tachometer ............................. 15
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ........... 15
Tip Start ............................... 34
Ti re s Pressure Warning Light ................. 21 Torque Converter Clutch
.................63,74
Tow/Haul ............................. 62
Traction Control ......................... 123
Traction Control Light ..................... 17
Transfer Case Fluid ............................. 136
Transmission Automatic ........................ 54,64
Fluid ............................. 136
Manual .......................... 34,75
Shifting ............................ 52
Trip Odometer ........................ 17,18
Turn Signals ............................ 15
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... 103
Voltmeter ............................ 18,41
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . . 15
Water Separator, Diesel Fuel ................ 106
8
INDEX 169