2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup Owner Manual - Page 454

452 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 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" in Section 8 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 the proper lubricant is used in the transmission. Refer to "Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts" in this section for the correct fluid type. Special Additives Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and its performance may be impaired by supplemental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives 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. Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geographic 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 underbody protection. The following maintenance recommendations will enable you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion resistance built into your vehicle.