oil pressure RAM CHASSIS CAB 2007 User Guide

NOTE: It is not possible for the manufacturer and
Cummins, Inc. to anticipate every possible circumstance
that can involve a potential hazard.
WARNING!To maintain your vehicle safely and avoid personal
injury, follow these guidelines:
• Never spray or pour diesel fuel, flammable liquid or
starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner assembly, air
intake piping or turbocharger inlet in an attempt to
start the vehicle, unintended engine acceleration may
occur.
• Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending agent.
They can be unstable under certain conditions and be
hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel fuel. • If an engine has been operating and the coolant is hot,
allow the engine to cool before you slowly loosen the
filler cap and relieve the pressure from the cooling
system.
• To avoid burns, remember that the engine components
will stay hot after the engine is shut off.
• Do not use gasoline or other flammable materials to
clean parts. Always use approved cleaning solvents.
• Relieve all pressure in the fuel, oil and cooling systems
before any lines, fittings or related items are removed
or disconnected. Be alert for possible pressure when
disconnecting any device from a system that utilizes
pressure. Do not check for pressure leaks with your
hand. High pressure oil or fuel can cause personal
injury. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7

WARNING!Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death.
• Important: All maintenance other than that listed in
this manual, as well as some procedures listed here,
MUST be performed by your local Dodge Truck
Dealer. Your authorized Dodge Dealer has been
trained and has the necessary parts to maintain your
engine. MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the required maintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
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. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait at least 15 minutes after engine
shutdown to check the oil.
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 dam-
age your engine. Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 399
7

oil cooler. The percentage of opening must be increased
with the increasing ambient air temperature and/or
engine load. If the cooling fan can be heard cycling
frequently, increase the size of the opening in the winter
front.
Coolant bottle level check
The coolant reserve system provides a quick visual
method of determining that the coolant level is adequate.
With the engine idling, and warmed to the normal
operating temperature, the level of the coolant on the
coolant bottle should be between the fluid level marks.
Check the coolant level whenever the hood is raised.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no longer a need to remove the coolant pressure cap
except for checking coolant freeze point or replacement
with new antifreeze coolant. WARNING!Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool overheated engine! The coolant is under pres-
sure and severe scalding could result.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427
7

Brake System
Power Disc Brakes (Front and Rear)
Disc brakes do not require adjustment; however, several
hard stops during the break-in period are recommended
to seat the linings and wear off any foreign material.
Brake And Power Steering Hoses
When the vehicle is serviced for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, abrasion, and excessive swelling
indicate deterioration of the rubber. Particular attention
should be made to examining those hose surfaces nearest
to high heat sources, such as the exhaust manifold.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed. Inspect all hose connections such as clamps and cou-
plings to make sure they are secure and no leaks are
present.
NOTE: Often, fluid such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to facilitate the assembly of hoses to couplings.
Therefore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not
necessarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of
hot fluid when systems are under pressure (during
vehicle operation), should be noted before hose is re-
placed based on leakage.
NOTE: Inspection of brake hoses should be performed
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change. Inspect hydraulic brake hoses for surface
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots. If there is any evidence
of cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be
replaced immediately! Eventual deterioration of the hose
can take place resulting in a possibility of a burst failure.434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

take some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or towel
and wipe clean the wiper blades, this will help blade
performance.
Once a Month
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
• Inspect the batteries and clean and tighten the termi-
nals as required.
• Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and transfer case (if
equipped), add as needed.
• Check Filter Minder™. Replace air cleaner filter
element if necessary.
• Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
• Drain water from the fuel filter. At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the exhaust system.
• Inspect the brake hoses.
• Inspect the U-Joints ( if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
• Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
• Check the manual transmission fluid level.
• Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
• Lubricate outer tie rod ends (4X4) models only.
• Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting ( 4X4).
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 475
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Maintenance Schedule
Miles 7,500 15,000 22,500 30,000 37,500
(Kilometers) (12 000) (24 000) (36 000) (48 000) (60 000)
[Months] [6] [12] [18] [24] [30]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage. X X XXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Change front and rear axle fluid (4X4). X X
Change automatic transmission fluid. X
Replace fuel filter element. X X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect and adjust parking brake if necessary. X
Inspect fan hub. X476 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Miles 45,000 52,500 60,000 67,500 75,000
(Kilometers) (72 000) (84 000) (97 000) (109 000) (121 000)
[Months] [36] [42] [48] [54] [60]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage. X X XXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X X
Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4X4). X
Change front and rear axle fluid (4X4). X X X
Change automatic transmission fluid. X
Change manual transmission fluid. X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not replaced at 100,000 miles (160 000 km). X
Inspect drive belt, replace as necessary. X X
Replace fuel filter element. X X X478 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Miles 82,500 90,000 97,500 100,000 105,000
(Kilometers) (133 000) (145 000) (157 000) (161 000) (169 000)
[Months] [66] [72] [78] [84]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage. X X XXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant, if not replaced at
60 mos. X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Change front and rear axle fluid (4X4). X X
Change automatic transmission fluid. X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required.* X X
Inspect fan hub. X
Inspect damper. X480 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Miles 112,500 120,000 127,500 135,000 142,500 150,000
(Kilometers) (181 000) (193 000) (205 000) (217 000) (229 000) (241 000)
[Months] [90] [96] [102] [108] [114] [120]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and cor-
rect stowage. X X XXXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 120
months, if not replaced at 100,000 miles (161
000 km). X
Inspect drive belt, replace as required.* X X X
Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4X4). X
Check transfer case fluid level (4X4). X
Change front and rear axle fluid (4X4). X X X
Change automatic transmission fluid. X X482 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S