Useful Information / Tips?

[Morehouse353]

I have a 2018 Ram 1500 3.6L V6 Pentastar 4X4 Big Horn Trim.
She’s got 157000 Miles.
I bought this truck used and had an issue already. Had to replace the 3-way coolant valve because the aftermarket one was throwing codes.
From what I know after utilizing mechanics and my own research, this truck is actually very well maintained and in good condition.
I live in upstate NY (Fort Drum) and deal with snow quite a bit.
I really want to know things that some of you wish you knew while you had this truck or before.
Any tips or useful information is greatly appreciated.
Current things I do want to know off of the top of my head: What is the difference between 4WD auto and lock. And the N> button in the middle.
I’ve also never owned a 4X4 before so any tips on usage/maintenance for that would be huge.
I know electrical issues on this truck can be tricky and cause issues, so if anyone knows things to avoid upgrading like headlights or any exterior lighting additions would also help.
I’m not too well versed in the vehicle world in general so I’m still trying to understand things in my own time.
The truck is entirely stock besides two lights in the bed of the truck.
My parking sensors are out right now, so I’ll have to figure that out eventually.
My goal is to be able to keep this truck very well maintained and well taken care of for the next few years I plan to get out of it.

Any tips/info is greatly appreciated no matter what it is!

 

[rzr6-4]

What is the difference between 4WD auto and lock. And the N> button in the middle.
I’ve also never owned a 4X4 before so any tips on usage/maintenance for that would be huge.

4wd LOCK puts you in a true 4wd. Will be putting power down to all 4 corners all the time. This is for legitimate snow/ice and mud. Turning on dry pavement in 4wd will cause binding that will quickly wear parts or just break. Auto is primarily 2wd, but used clutches to engage 4wd when it detects wheel spin. Some people use it in the rain which is dumb, or when there is a little bit of snow but not enough to lock into real 4wd. I think auto is dumb, I would never use it. I want to know that I am in 2wd or know that I am in 4lock, not trust the judgement of the sensors. Also seems like a great way to burn up clutches.

The "N" is putting your transfer case into neutral. Your transmission has a neutral but so does the transfer case. The only time you would use that is if you are being towed or in some cases when working on driveline components. If you NEED to put it in neutral for some reason, you will know.

Maintenance of a 4wd is nothing special. Every 60k miles per the manual or something like that you need to change the transfer case fluid (I definitely don't do mine that often). A 4wd truck has the front CV axles that can go bad that a RWD truck doesn't have but with normal road use that isn't too much of a concern. If you ever hear a repetitive popping noise when turning though, that would be the first thing to check.

 

[Wild one]

I have a 2018 Ram 1500 3.6L V6 Pentastar 4X4 Big Horn Trim.
She’s got 157000 Miles.
I bought this truck used and had an issue already. Had to replace the 3-way coolant valve because the aftermarket one was throwing codes.
From what I know after utilizing mechanics and my own research, this truck is actually very well maintained and in good condition.
I live in upstate NY (Fort Drum) and deal with snow quite a bit.
I really want to know things that some of you wish you knew while you had this truck or before.
Any tips or useful information is greatly appreciated.
Current things I do want to know off of the top of my head: What is the difference between 4WD auto and lock. And the N> button in the middle.
I’ve also never owned a 4X4 before so any tips on usage/maintenance for that would be huge.
I know electrical issues on this truck can be tricky and cause issues, so if anyone knows things to avoid upgrading like headlights or any exterior lighting additions would also help.
I’m not too well versed in the vehicle world in general so I’m still trying to understand things in my own time.
The truck is entirely stock besides two lights in the bed of the truck.
My parking sensors are out right now, so I’ll have to figure that out eventually.
My goal is to be able to keep this truck very well maintained and well taken care of for the next few years I plan to get out of it.

Any tips/info is greatly appreciated no matter what it is!

Hunt up @Brandon-w and see if he's still making his switch set-up to turn your truck into an actual 4X4.You're 44-44 transfer case leaves alot to be desired as far as 4X4 transfer cases go

 

[04fxdwgi]

^^^^ #1

Brandon's 4x4 switch is a must have if you want true 4x4.

 

[Racer9]

Too late this year to do it but get it rust proofed ASAP. Salted roads will eat it alive. There are many options from used oil coatings to fluidfilm and more.
4wd means you can accelerate in snow faster than a 2wd but you can't stop any faster, so drive like you don't want to crash.
Auto 4wd is good for those days when the roads are half slippery and half bare.
4wd doesn't mean you can't get stuck, it means when you get stuck it will be EPIC!!!

 

[Morehouse353]

Too late this year to do it but get it rust proofed ASAP. Salted roads will eat it alive. There are many options from used oil coatings to fluidfilm and more.
4wd means you can accelerate in snow faster than a 2wd but you can't stop any faster, so drive like you don't want to crash.
Auto 4wd is good for those days when the roads are half slippery and half bare.
4wd doesn't mean you can't get stuck, it means when you get stuck it will be EPIC!!!

Any recommendations on certain places or products to use for rust proofing? I come from California so I’m completely unaware of rust prevention

 

[RamDiver]

Any recommendations on certain places or products to use for rust proofing? I come from California so I’m completely unaware of rust prevention

Try the search utility in the upper right corner.

Krown
FluidFilm
WoolWax
undercoating etc

.

 

[Grenadiers]

Shortly after I purchased my 2019 1500 Classic (brand new off the lot), I was talking with another RAM owner (about 8 months later) and he asked me a peculiar question... I was expecting a question about my gas mileage. But he asked me "So, how many axles have you gone through?"

I said none, but was thinking what an odd question...

That was 5, almost 6 years years ago. My answer today would be 5!! R/S in late 2020, both sides in 2022 and both sides again in 2025.

The first one was covered under the factory warranty, the other 4 under an extended warranty I purchased when I had hit 100k.

On the good side, the axles now are guaranteed for life. So when my extended warranty runs out, all I'll have to pay is labor...

 

[Morehouse353]

Shortly after I purchased my 2019 1500 Classic (brand new off the lot), I was talking with another RAM owner (about 8 months later) and he asked me a peculiar question... I was expecting a question about my gas mileage. But he asked me "So, how many axles have you gone through?"

I said none, but was thinking what an odd question...

That was 5, almost 6 years years ago. My answer today would be 5!! R/S in late 2020, both sides in 2022 and both sides again in 2025.

The first one was covered under the factory warranty, the other 4 under an extended warranty I purchased when I had hit 100k.

On the good side, the axles now are guaranteed for life. So when my extended warranty runs out, all I'll have to pay is labor...

Good to know, I’ll definitely keep my eye on that and look into it

 

[Marshall]

I am in Canada, so about the snow, ice problems, thou we don't run to salt in town, but if it's bad, the hiways can have salt, I just keep it washed good.

I have never had to change any axels on these trucks, 3rd one, but they where all low milage.
I use 4wd auto in town a lot in winter as we are on ice quite a bit, my side streets are usually not /seldom plowed, I have been in town 12 yrs and it was 4th yr before I seen a plow , they will do school bus roads and the main streets sometimes.

4WD is great for getting going , but as some one mentioned, 0 help for stopping.
You would never use low unless messing around in the dirt, maybe pulling something in the yard. I don't think I have use locked on this truck with the auto, but I stay on the road these days, hopefully.

PS, if you are younger , when pressure washing lay down and get under the frame rails and sills, I have taken the rear tail lights out and sprayed in on the fender liners on the older ones with steel fender liners, as they would collect mud in there and rust.

You could check the inner sills at the front doors for water, take the plastic door sills off , by the seats and make sure its dry, and keep a eye out in the back for leaks from the 3rd brake lite on the roof, leaks around the lower corners of rear window and there are vents in back of the cab that can give trouble.
Good luck and welcome aboard.