automatic transmission RAM CHASSIS CAB 2012 Owner's Guide

CAUTION! (Continued)• Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than the manufacturer’s recommended fluid
will require more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals. Fluid Level Check
The fluid level should be checked when the engine is
fully warmed up and the fluid in the transmission is at
normal operating temperature. Operation of the trans-
mission with an improper fluid level will greatly reduce
the life of the transmission and of the fluid. Check the
fluid level whenever the vehicle is serviced.
Fluid Level Check – 5.7L Engine
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 82°C (180°F). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (25 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.428 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Automatic Transmission Fluid And Filter Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
NOTE: If the transmission is disassembled for any
reason, the fluid and filter(s) should be changed.
It is important that proper lubricant is used in the
transmission. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. 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, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse affect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.430 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission
(5.7L Engine Only) MOPAR  ATF+4  Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4  product.
Transfer Case MOPAR  ATF+4  Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4  product.
Front and Rear Axle Fluid
(4500/5500) GL-5 SAE 75W-90 Synthetic (MS-9763) or equivalent.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPAR  DOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used or equivalent. If DOT 3
brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recom-
mended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPAR  Power Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR  ATF+4  Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4  product.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 451

64,000 Miles (104,000 km) or 48 Months Maintenance Service Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before 64,000 miles (104 000 km).
❏ Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
❏ Replace the spark plugs.
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4 only).
❏ Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary.
❏ Adjust parking brake on vehicles equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.
❏ Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter(s) if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, snow plowing, or
frequent trailer towing.
❏ Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for damage, wear, improper looseness or end play;
replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature, Authorized Service Center
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 461

120,000 Miles (195,000 km) or 90 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule ❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
120,000 miles (195 000 km).
❏ Lube the front drive shaft fitting (4x4 only).
❏ Inspect the CV joints.
❏ Inspect exhaust system.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter(s).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature, Authorized Service Center
8 M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S 466 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid ....................... 429
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 430
Fluid Level Check ................. 427,428
Fluid Type ...................... 427,451
Shifting ........................... 278
Special Additives ..................... 428
Axle Fluid ....................... 425,426,451
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............ 425,426
B-Pillar Location ........................ 314
Battery ............................... 409
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 25
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 152
Belts, Seat ............................ 39,79
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 412
Brake Fluid ......................... 423,451 Brake System ........................ 306,423
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 307
Fluid Check ........................ 423
Master Cylinder ..................... 423
Parking ........................... 304
Warning Light ....................... 197
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 278
Bulb Replacement ....................... 443
Bulbs, Light .......................... 81,442
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 447
Calibration, Compass ..................... 215
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 449
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 449
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) ........................ 407
Power Steering ...................... 303
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 419
Car Washes ............................ 431
10 INDEX 483

Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 417
Inspection .......................... 420
Points to Remember .................. 422
Pressure Cap ........................ 419
Radiator Cap ....................... 419
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....... 418,450
Cupholders ............................ 172
Customer Assistance ..................... 473
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 63
Daytime Running Lights ................... 153
Dealer Service .......................... 405
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 180
Defroster, Windshield ................ 80,258,264
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 155
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 298
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ................ 428
Power Steering ...................... 303 Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 395
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 420
Door Locks ............................. 30
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 32
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 300
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 334,384
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 180
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 165
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............... 284
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 160
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 203
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........... 292
Emergency Brake ........................ 304
10 INDEX 485

Fluid Leaks ............................. 81
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................ 428
Brake ............................. 423
Power Steering ...................... 303
Fluid, Brake ........................... 451
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 450
Fog Lights ....................... 150,200,445
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 288
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 376
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 392
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 425
Fuel ................................. 335
Adding ........................... 340
Diesel ............................. 450
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................. 341
Filter ............................. 450
Gauge ............................ 189
Light ............................. 196 Octane Rating ....................... 335
Requirements ....................... 335
Tank Capacity ....................... 449
Fuses ................................ 435
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............... 341,402
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 335
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 336
Gauges
Coolant Temperature .................. 189
Fuel .............................. 189
Oil Pressure ........................ 192
Speedometer ........................ 190
Tachometer ......................... 189
Voltmeter .......................... 196
Gear Ranges ........................... 279
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 394
General Information .................. 18,26,123
Glass Cleaning .......................... 435
10 INDEX 487

Power Door ......................... 31
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH) ....................... 68
Lubrication, Body ....................... 412
Lug Nuts ........................... 382,384
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 409
Maintenance Procedures ................... 405
Maintenance Schedule .................... 454
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) ..... 403
Manual Transmission
Fluid Level Check .................... 427
Lubricant Selection ................... 451
Manual, Service ......................... 477
Memory Seat ........................... 140
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 212
Mirrors ................................ 87
Automatic Dimming ................... 87
Electric Powered ...................... 90 Heated ............................. 91
Memory ........................... 140
Outside ............................ 88
Rearview ........................... 87
Trailer Towing ....................... 92
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Mopar Parts ......................... 404,476
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 153
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 77
Occupant Restraints ................... 38,57,60
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ................. 57
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 335
Odometer ............................. 192
Trip .............................. 192
Oil Change Indicator .................. 194,210
Oil Change Indicator, Reset .............. 194,210
10 INDEX 491

Shifting ............................... 276
Automatic Transmission ................ 278
Transfer Case ....................... 290
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer
Case Neutral (N) .................. 368,370
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N) .................. 369,373
Short Message Service (SMS) ................ 115
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 48
Shoulder Belts ........................... 39
Signals, Turn ...................... 81,153,189
Sliding Rear Window
Power ............................ 181
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 330
Snow Plow ............................ 361
Snow Tires ............................ 332
Spare Tire .......................... 325,326
Spark Plugs ............................ 450
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 160 Speedometer ........................... 190
Starting ............................. 26,273
Automatic Transmission ................ 273
Cold Weather ....................... 274
Engine Fails to Start .................. 274
Remote ............................ 26
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ............ 273
Steel Carcass Ply Tires .................... 321
Steering
Power .......................... 302,303
Wheel, Heated ...................... 159
Wheel, Tilt ......................... 157
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 253
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 253
Storage Compartment, Center Seat ........... 176
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 266,441
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 441
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 330
10 INDEX 495