Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 61

B R
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE 0 - 25
BATTERY
WARNING: W E A R S A F E T Y G L A S S E S , R U B B E R
G L O V E S AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING W H E N HAN­
DLING/SERVICING A BATTERY. THE BATTERY
ELECTROLYTE CONTAINS S U L F U R I C ACID AND
WILL C A U S E HARM IF IT CONTACTS SKIN, E Y E S
OR CLOTHING. IT W I L L A L S O DAMAGE PAINTED
(AS W E L L A S UN-PAINTED) S U R F A C E S OF A VEHI­
C L E . IF S U L F U R I C ACID CONTACTS ANY OF
T H E S E , F L U S H IMMEDIATELY WITH L A R G E
AMOUNTS OF WATER. IF S U L F U R I C ACID CON­
TACTS SKIN OR E Y E S , G E T IMMEDIATE MEDICAL
ATTENTION. DO NOT S M O K E IN THE VICINITY OF A
BATTERY. K E E P O P E N F L A M E S AND S P A R K S
AWAY FROM BATTERY F I L L E R C A P S B E C A U S E
E X P L O S I V E G A S IS ALWAYS P R E S E N T
Inspect battery tray, hold down and terminal con­
nections when other under hood service is performed.
For proper diagnostic procedures refer to Group 8A,
Battery/Starting/Charging System Diagnostics. For
service and cleaning procedures refer to Group 8B,
Battery/Starter Service.
Care should be taken when disposing a bat­
tery a f t e r removal from a vehicle. Lead-acid
batteries are highly poisonous and, when indis­
criminately disposed, could create a problem
for the environment. Contact the applicable lo­
cal city or county government agency to deter­
mine where automobile (lead-acid) batteries
can be properly disposed in the local area.
RUBBER A M PLASTIC COMPONENT INSPECTION
CAUTION: Plastic hoses or wire harness covers will
melt or deform when exposed to heat from exhaust
system or engine manifolds.
Position plastic or rubber components away from
moving parts in engine compartment or under vehi­
cle, or damage will result.
Do not allow rubber engine mounts or other com­
ponents to become oil contaminated, repair cause
of oil contamination and clean area.
All rubber and plastic components should be in­
spected when engine compartment or under vehicle
service is performed. When evidence of deterioration
exists, replacement is required. To reduce deteriora­
tion of rubber components, Chrysler Corporation rec­
ommends Mopar Foamy Engine Degreaser or
equivalent be used to clean engine compartment of
oil and road grime.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Inspect all emission control components and hoses
when other under hood service is performed. Refer to
emission system Vacuum Hose Label located on the
inside of the hood in the engine compartment and
Group 25, Emission Control Systems for proper ser­
vice procedures.
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELTS
Inspect and adjust drive belts at the interval de­
scribed in the Lubrication and Maintenance Sched­
ules. Refer to General Information section of this
group. For proper inspection and adjustment proce­
dures, see Group 7, Cooling System.
EXHAUST SYSTEM—GASOLINE
The exhaust system should be inspected when un­
der vehicle service is performed or as specified in the
Lubrication and Maintenance Schedules.
INSPECTION
When inspecting an exhaust system, inspect for
cracked or loose joints, stripped screw/bolt threads,
corrosion damage, and worn or broken hangers.(S-
light cracking in rubber isolator or hanger is accept­
able). Replace all components that are corroded or
damaged. Do not attempt repair. Also, inspect for the
following obvious conditions and correct as necessary:
• Exhaust system leaks, damage, misalignment.
• Contact with body panels metal or the frame.
• Catalytic converter bulging or excessive heat dam­
age.
CAUTION: A catalytic converter will become con­
taminated if leaded gasoline is burned in the en­
gine. If this occurs, the complete converter must be
replaced.
For proper service procedures see Group 11, Ex­
haust System and Intake Manifold.
AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR
LUBRICANT AND REFRIGERANT
The lubricant level in the air-conditioner compres­
sor should be checked if there are indications that oil
was lost. Loss of lubricating oil usually accompanies
a loss of refrigerant.
For additional information involving the A/C sys­
tem, refer to Group 24, Heater And Air Conditioning.