Dodge Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500. Manual - part 5

CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION

Standard engine oil identification notations have been
adopted to aid in the proper selection of engine oil.
The identifying notations are located on the front label
of engine oil plastic bottles and the top of engine oil
cans.

This symbol means that the oil has been certified by
the American

Petroleum

Institute

(API).

Diamler-

Chrysler only recommend API Certified engine oils.
Use Mopar

engine oil or equivalent.

FUEL REQUIREMENTS - DIESEL ENGINE

WARNING: Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending agent. They can be unstable under certain
conditions and hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel fuel.

Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in your Dodge truck. For most year-round service, number 2
diesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 will provide good performance. If the vehicle is exposed to extreme
cold (below 0°F/-18°C), or is required to operate at colder-than-normal conditions for prolonged periods, use clima-
tized No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel fuel with 50% No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better protection
from fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filters.

Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To prevent fuel system trouble, including fuel line freezing in winter,
drain the accumulated water from the fuel/water separator using the fuel/water separator drain provided. If you buy
good-quality fuel and follow the cold-weather advice above, fuel conditioners should not be required in your vehicle.
If available in your area, a high cetane “premium” diesel fuel may offer improved cold starting and warm-up perfor-
mance.

ENGINE OIL - DIESEL ENGINES

Use only Diesel Engine Oil meeting standard MIL-2104C or API Classification CD or higher or CCML D4, D5.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADE

CAUTION: Low viscosity oils must have the proper API quality or the CCMC G5 designation.

To assure of properly formulated engine oils, it is rec-
ommended that SAE Grade 10W-40 engine oils that
meet Chrysler material standard MS-6395, be used in
accordance to ACEA B3, B4 specification. European
Grade 10W-40 oils that meet Association des Con-
structeurs Européens d’ Automobiles (European Auto-
mobile

Manufacturers

Association)

(ACEA)

specifications, are also acceptable.

Oils of the SAE 5W-40 grade number are preferred
when minimum temperatures consistently fall below -15°C.

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ACEA Categories

For countries that use the ACEA European Oil Cate-
gories for Service Fill Oils, use engine oils that meet
the requirements of ACEA A1/B1, A2/B2, or A3/B3.

POWER STEERING FLUID

Mopar

ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid is

required in the power steering system. Substitute flu-
ids can induce power steering system failure.

Mopar

ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid when

new is red in color. The ATF is dyed red so it can be
identified from other fluids used in the vehicle such as
engine oil or antifreeze. The red color is not permanent and is not an indicator of fluid condition. As the vehicle is
driven, the ATF will begin to look darker in color and may eventually become brown. This is normal. ATF+4 also
has a unique odor that may change with age. Consequently, odor and color cannot be used to indicate the fluid
condition or the need for a fluid change.

ENGINE COOLANT

WARNING: ANTIFREEZE IS AN ETHYLENE GLYCOL BASE COOLANT AND IS HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR
INHALED. IF SWALLOWED, DRINK TWO GLASSES OF WATER AND INDUCE VOMITING. IF INHALED, MOVE
TO FRESH AIR AREA. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT STORE IN OPEN OR UNMARKED
CONTAINERS. WASH SKIN AND CLOTHING THOROUGHLY AFTER COMING IN CONTACT WITH ETHYLENE
GLYCOL. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DISPOSE OF GLYCOL BASE COOLANT PROPERLY, CON-
TACT YOUR DEALER OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR LOCATION OF COLLECTION CENTER IN YOUR
AREA.

WARNING: DO NOT OPEN A COOLING SYSTEM WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR
HOT UNDER PRESSURE, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT. AVOID RADIATOR COOLING FAN WHEN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT RELATED SERVICE IS PERFORMED, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.

CAUTION: Use of Propylene Glycol based coolants is not recommended, as they provide less freeze pro-
tection and less corrosion protection.

The cooling system is designed around the coolant. The coolant must accept heat from engine metal, in the cylinder
head area near the exhaust valves and engine block. Then coolant carries the heat to the radiator where the tube/
fin radiator can transfer the heat to the air.

The use of aluminum cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, and water pumps requires special corrosion protection.
Mopar

Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769), or the equivalent ethylene glycol base coolant

with organic corrosion inhibitors (called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) is recommended. This cool-
ant offers the best engine cooling without corrosion when mixed with 50% Ethylene Glycol and 50% distilled water
to obtain a freeze point of -37°C (-35°F). If it loses color or becomes contaminated, drain, flush, and replace with
fresh properly mixed coolant solution.

CAUTION: Do not use coolant additives that are claimed to improve engine cooling.

CAUTION: Mopar

Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769) may not be mixed with any

other type of antifreeze. Mixing of coolants other than specified non-HOAT or other HOAT coolant, may
result in engine damage that may not be covered under the new vehicle warranty, and decreased corrosion
protection.

COOLANT PERFORMANCE

The required ethylene-glycol (antifreeze) and distilled water mixture depends upon climate and vehicle operating
conditions. The coolant performance of various mixtures follows:

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Pure Distilled Water - Distilled water can absorb more heat than a mixture of water and ethylene-glycol. This is for
purpose of heat transfer only. Water also freezes at a higher temperature and allows corrosion.

100 percent Ethylene-Glycol - The corrosion inhibiting additives in ethylene-glycol need the presence of distilled
water to dissolve. Without water, additives form deposits in system. These act as insulation causing temperature to
rise to as high as 149°C (300°F). This temperature is hot enough to melt plastic and soften solder. The increased
temperature can result in engine detonation. In addition, 100 percent ethylene-glycol freezes at -22°C (-8°F).

50/50 Ethylene-Glycol and Distilled Water - Is the recommended mixture, it provides protection against freezing to
-37°C (-34°F). The antifreeze concentration must always be a minimum of 44 percent, year-round in all climates. If
percentage is lower, engine parts may be eroded by cavitation. Maximum protection against freezing is provided
with a 68 percent antifreeze concentration, which prevents freezing down to -67.7°C (-90°F). A higher percentage
will freeze at a warmer temperature. Also, a higher percentage of antifreeze can cause the engine to overheat
because specific heat of antifreeze is lower than that of water.

CAUTION: Richer antifreeze mixtures cannot be measured with normal field equipment and can cause prob-
lems associated with 100 percent ethylene-glycol.

TRANSFER CASE

Recommended lubricant for the NV241 GENII, NV271, NV243, NV244 GENII, and NV273 transfer cases is Mopar

ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.

AXLE

NOTE: DaimlerChrysler recommends using Mopar

lubricants or lubricants of equal quality.

FRONT AXLE

•

C205F - Mopar

Gear Lubricant 75W-90

•

9 1/4 AA - Mopar

Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-90

•

9 1/4 AA EL- Mopar

Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-90

REAR AXLE

•

9 1/4 - Mopar

Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-140

•

10 1/2 AA - Mopar

Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-90

•

10 1/2 AA EL- Mopar

Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-90

•

11 1/2 AA - Mopar

Synthetic Gear Lubricant 75W-90

•

248RBI - Mopar

Gear & Axle Lubricant SAE 90

NOTE: Trac-Lok

differentials require Limited Slip Additive in the lubricant. Trac-Rite™ / Trac-Rite EL™ dif-

ferentials DO NOT require Limited Slip Additive.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

NOTE: DaimlerChrysler recommends using Mopar

lubricants or lubricants of equal quality.

•

NV5600 - Mopar

Manual Transmission Lubricant

•

NV4500 - Mopar

Synthetic 75W-85 Manual Transmission Lubricant

•

Getrag 238 - Mopar

ATF+4 Transmission Fluid

•

G 56 - Mopar

ATF+4 Transmission Fluid

•

T-56 - Mopar

Synthetic 75W-85 Manual Transmission Lubricant

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID

NOTE: Refer to Service Procedures in this group for fluid level checking procedures.

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Mopar

ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid is the recommended fluid for DaimlerChrysler automatic transmis-

sions.

Dexron II fluid IS NOT recommended. Clutch chatter can result from the use of improper fluid.

Mopar

ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid when new is red in color. The ATF is dyed red so it can be identified

from other fluids used in the vehicle such as engine oil or antifreeze. The red color is not permanent and is not an
indicator of fluid condition. As the vehicle is driven, the ATF will begin to look darker in color and may eventually
become brown. This is normal. ATF+4 also has a unique odor that may change with age. Consequently, odor and
color cannot be used to indicate the fluid condition or the need for a fluid change.

FLUID ADDITIVES

DaimlerChrysler strongly recommends against the addition of any fluids to the transmission, other than those auto-
matic transmission fluids listed above. Exceptions to this policy are the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks.

Various “special” additives and supplements exist that claim to improve shift feel and/or quality. These additives and
others also claim to improve converter clutch operation and inhibit overheating, oxidation, varnish, and sludge.
These claims have not been supported to the satisfaction of DaimlerChrysler and these additives must not be
used. The use of transmission “sealers” should also be avoided, since they may adversely affect the integrity of
transmission seals.

OPERATION - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID

The automatic transmission fluid is selected based upon several qualities. The fluid must provide a high level of
protection for the internal components by providing a lubricating film between adjacent metal components. The fluid
must also be thermally stable so that it can maintain a consistent viscosity through a large temperature range. If the
viscosity stays constant through the temperature range of operation, transmission operation and shift feel will remain
consistent. Transmission fluid must also be a good conductor of heat. The fluid must absorb heat from the internal
transmission components and transfer that heat to the transmission case.

FLUID CAPACITIES

SPECIFICATIONS

FLUID CAPACITIES

DESCRIPTION

SPECIFICATION

FUEL TANK

1500 Short Box

98 L (26 gal.)*

2500/3500 Short Box

128L (34 gal.)*

All Long Box

132 L (35 gal.)*

ENGINE OIL WITH FILTER

3.7L

4.7 L (5.0 qts.)

4.7L

5.6 L (6.0 qts.)

5.7L

6.6 L (7.0 qts.)

5.9L DIESEL

11.4 L (12.0 qts.)

8.3L - Oil Service Quantity

8.2L (8.75 qts.)

8.3L - Engine Overhaul Quantity

9.4L (10.0 qts.)

COOLING SYSTEM

3.7L

15.4 L (16.2 qts.)**

4.7L

15.4 L (16.2 qts.)**

5.7L

15.4L (16.2 qts.)**

5.9L Diesel Engine

28L (29.5 qts.)**

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