check engine light RAM CHASSIS CAB 2009 User Guide

NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the “TOW HAUL OD/OFF” feature ON when
driving in hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive
position 2 on more severe grades.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
\25
Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
\25When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
\25Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
\25City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
\25Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
\25Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
SNOWPLOW
Snowplow Prep Packages are available as a factory
installed option. These packages include components
necessary to equip your vehicle with a snowplow.
NOTE: Before installation of a snowplow it is highly
recommended that the owner/installer obtain and follow
the recommendations contained within the current
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

Your vehicle is equipped with two 12-Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper
cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place the transmission in
PARK. Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads.
Observe charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries.
If the indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either
battery, replace that battery.CAUTION!
Use the Jump-Start Procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump-starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a
green dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of
booster battery and the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the discharged battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 327
6

Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir is located under the hood and should
be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent only (not ra-
diator antifreeze). When refilling the washer fluid reser-
voir, take some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or
towel and wipe clean the wiper blades; this will help
blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
The washer fluid reservoir will hold a full gallon/liter of
fluid when the “Low Washer Fluid Light” illuminates.
344 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Odometer/Trip Odometer” under “In-
strument Cluster Description” in Section 4 of this.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 383
8
M A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S

Adding Fuel........................... 285
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 131
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 340
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 342
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............342,343
Air Conditioning System ................207,342
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control ........ 210
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 267,276
Airbag .............................. 48,53
Airbag Light ......................... 75,163
Airbag On/Off Switch ..................... 53
Alarm Light ........................... 165
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 19
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 19
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 200
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............349,350
Capacities ........................... 377
Disposal ............................ 352 Anti-Lock Warning Light
...............170,257
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 19
Anti-Theft System ........................ 19
Appearance Care ........................ 359
Ashtray ............................... 145
Assistance Towing ....................... 100
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 82
Automatic Transaxle ...................... 12
Automatic Transmission ................... 356
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 358
Fluid Level Check ..................... 357
Fluid Type ........................ 356,379
Shifting ............................. 224
Special Additives ...................... 359
Automatic Transmission (Diesel Engine Only) .... 356
Axle Fluid .......................... 356,379
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............... 356
Battery ............................... 341
410 INDEX

Emergency Starting..................... 326
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 124
Belts, Seat .............................. 36
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 343
B-Pillar Location ........................ 262
Brake Fluid ............................ 379
Brake System ........................ 255,353
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 256
Fluid Check .......................... 353
Master Cylinder ....................... 353
Parking ............................. 254
Warning Light ........................ 168
Bulb Replacement ....................... 370
Bulbs, Light ............................ 370
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 375
Calibration, Compass ..................... 141
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 377Capacities, Fluid
........................ 377
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... 339
Power Steering ........................ 253
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 351
Car Washes ............................ 360
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................. 284
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...............173,187
Cellular Phone .......................... 86
Center Lap Belts ......................... 45
Center Seat Storage Compartment .........148,150
Certification Label ....................... 287
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 259
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 168
Child Restraint .......................... 60
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............64,67
Child Seat ............................ 60,66
Cigar Lighter ........................... 145
INDEX 411
10

Fabric Care............................ 361
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 340
Engine Fuel .......................... 378
Engine Oil ..................... 338,340,378
Flashers Turn Signal .......................... 127
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 326
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 222
Fluid, Brake ........................... 379
Fluid Capacities ......................... 377
Fluid Level Checks Brake .............................. 353
Manual Transmission ................... 356
Power Steering ........................ 253
Transfer Case ......................... 356
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 378
Fog Lights ....................... 126,167,374
Fold Flat Load Floor ..................... 154 Four Wheel Drive
....................... 230
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 314
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 330
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 355
Fuel ................................. 281
Adding ............................. 285
Diesel .............................. 378
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 286
Filter ............................... 378
Gauge .............................. 171
Light ............................... 172
Octane Rating ........................ 281
Requirements ......................... 281
Tank Capacity ........................ 377
Fuses ................................ 364
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............286,336
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 281
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 281
414 INDEX

Lights.............................. 75,123
Airbag ............................ 57,163
Alarm .............................. 165
Anti-Lock ........................... 170
Anti-Lock Warning ..................... 257
Brake Warning ........................ 168
Bulb Replacement ...................... 370
Cap Top Clearance ..................... 375
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ........ 168
Cruise .............................. 172
Daytime Running ...................... 126
Fog .......................... 126,167,374
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ............... 234
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 314
Headlights ........................... 125
High Beam ........................ 128,163
High Beam Indicator .................... 163
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 128
Illuminated Entry ....................... 20 Instrument Cluster
..................... 162
Interior ............................. 123
Lights On Reminder .................... 126
Passing ............................. 128
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 163
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 165
Service ............................. 370
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 165
Transfer Case ......................... 234
Transmission Warning ................... 171
Turn Signal ..................... 127,162,370
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 162
Limited-Slip Differential ................249,356
Loading Vehicle ......................... 287
Tires ............................... 262
Locks ................................. 27
Child Protection ........................ 30
Door ................................ 27
Keys ................................ 12
INDEX 417
10