2011 Ram 3500 ignition

•Electronic Speed Control Indicator LightThis light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is ON.
•Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning LightThis light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. The
light will come on when the ignition is first
turned ON and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have
the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the
vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is
placed in the PARK position. The light should turn off. If the light remains lit with the engine running your
vehicle, will usually be drivable, however, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is
required and you may experience reduced performance,
an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle
may require towing.
•Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. This indicator will illuminate and a single
chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the indicator to continu-
ously flash and a continuous chime will occur until the
engine is allowed to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 25

•Water In Fuel Indicator LightThe “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illu-
minate when there is water detected in the fuel
filter. If this light remains on, DO NOT start the
vehicle before you drain the water from the
fuel filter to prevent engine damage. Refer to “Mainte-
nance Procedures/ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Fil-
ter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
•Wait To Start Light The “Wait To Start Light” will illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the RUN position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66°F (19°C). Wait
until the “Wait To Start Light” turns OFF, then start the
vehicle. Refer to “Starting Procedures” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
NOTE: The “Wait To Start Light” may not illuminate if
the intake manifold temperature is warm enough.
Oil Change Due
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Due” message will
flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10 seconds
after a single chime has sounded to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty-cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
RETURN button. To reset the oil change indicator system
(after performing the scheduled maintenance) perform
the following steps.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. (Do not
start the engine)
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 27

3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the engine, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat these steps.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages –
Chassis Cab Only
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages
when the DEF level reaches a driving range of approxi-
mately 1,000 miles (1 609 km). If the following warning
message sequence is ignored, your vehicle will not start
unless DEF is added.
•Low DEF Refill Soon – This message will display
when the low level is reached, during vehicle start up,
and with increased frequency during vehicle opera-
tion. It will be accompanied by a single chime. Ap-
proximately 6 gallons (23 Liters) of DEF is required to
refill the tank when this message is initially displayed.
•Refill DEF Engine Will Not Restart In XXX Miles –
This message will continuously display if the “Low
DEF Refill Soon” message is ignored, and the fre-
quency of occurance of the chime will increase unless
up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
The engine will not restart if the mileage counter
reaches zero.
•Refill DEF Engine Will Not Start – This message will
continuously display when the counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime. The
engine will not start after it has been turned off unless
up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
NOTE: A minimum of up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) may
be required to restart the vehicle. Although the vehicle
will continue to operate while this warning message is
initially displayed, the engine will not restart the next
time the vehicle is shut off.
28 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Trip B
Shows the total distance traveled for Trip B since the last
reset.
•Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
To Reset The Display
Reset will only occur while a resettable function is being
displayed. Press and release the ODOMETER/TRIP
ODOMETER button once to clear the resettable function
being displayed. To reset all resettable functions, press
and release the ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER button a
second time within three seconds of resetting the
currently-displayed function. (Reset ALL will display
during this three-second window).
Vehicle Information (Customer Information
Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Vehicle
Info” displays in the EVIC and press the SELECT button.
Press the UP and DOWN button to scroll through the
available information displays, then press SELECT to
display anyone of the following choices.
•DEF Fluid Level – Chassis Cab Only
Displays the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) fluid level.
•Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the hours of engine operation.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 31

NOTE:A good calibration requires a level surface and
an environment free from large metallic objects such as
buildings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks,
etc.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL indicator
does not appear in the EVIC display, you must put the
compass into the Calibration Mode manually, as follows:
1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
2. Press the UP or DOWN button until the Setup
(Customer-Programmable Features) menu is reached,
then press the SELECT button.
3. Press the DOWN button until “Calibrate Compass” is
displayed in the EVIC.
4. Press and release the SELECT button to start the
calibration. The “CAL” indicator will be displayed in the
EVIC. 5. Complete one or more 360–degree turns (in an area
free from large metal or metallic objects) until the “CAL”
indicator turns off. The compass will now function
normally.
Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between Magnetic
North and Geographic North. To compensate for the
differences the variance should be set for the zone where
the vehicle is driven, per the zone map. Once properly
set, the compass will automatically compensate for the
differences, and provide the most accurate compass
heading. For the most accurate compass performance, the
compass must be set using the following steps.
NOTE:
Keep magnetic materials away from the top of
the instrument panel, such as iPod’s, Cell Phones, Lap-
tops and Radar Detectors. This is where the compass
module is located, and it can cause interference with the
compass sensor, and it may give false readings.3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 33

1. Turn the ignition switch ON.
2. Press the UP or DOWN button until the Setup
(Customer-Programmable Features) menu is reached,
then press the SELECT button.3. Press the DOWN button until the “Compass Variance”
message is displayed in the EVIC, then press the SELECT
button. The last variance zone number displays in the
EVIC.
4. Press and release the SELECT button until the proper
variance zone is selected, according to the map.
5. Press and release the RETURN button to exit.
Customer-Programmable Features (System
Setup)
Personal Settings allows you to set and recall features
when the transmission is in PARK. If the transmission is
out of PARK or the vehicle begins moving, a warning
message
SYSTEM SETUP NOT AVAILABLE, is fol-
lowed in three seconds by, VEHICLE NOT IN PARK.
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until Setup
displays in the EVIC.
Compass Variance Map
34 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

and release the SELECT button until a check-mark ap-
pears next to the feature showing the system has been
activated or the check-mark is removed, showing the
system has been deactivated.
NOTE:The seat will return to the memorized seat
location (if Recall Memory with Remote Key Unlock is set
to ON) when the RKE transmitter is used to unlock the
door. Refer to “Driver Memory Seat” in “Understanding
The Features Of Your Vehicle” for further information.
Tilt Mirror In Reverse
When this feature is selected and the shift lever is placed
in reverse gear, the side mirrors tilt downward to allow
the driver to see into the previous blind spot and avoid
objects in close proximity to the rear of the vehicle. To
make your selection, press and release the SELECT
button until a check-mark appears next to the feature
showing the system has been activated or the check-mark
is removed, showing the system has been deactivated.
Key-Off Power Delay
When this feature is selected, the power window
switches, radio, hands-free system (if equipped), DVD
video system (if equipped), power sunroof (if equipped),
and power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned OFF. Opening a vehicle
door will cancel this feature. To make your selection,
press and release the SELECT button until Off, 45 sec.,
5 min., or 10 min. appears.
Illuminated Approach
When this feature is selected, the headlights will activate
and remain on for up to 90 seconds when the doors are
unlocked with the RKE transmitter. To make your selec-
tion, press and release the SELECT button until “OFF,”
“30 sec.,” “60 sec.,” or “90 sec.” appears.
Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped
When on is selected, the HSA system is active. Refer to
“Electronic Brake Control System” in “Starting And
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 39

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and press the clutch pedal to the floor before
starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless
the clutch is fully pressed.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
Start the engine with the shift lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Extreme Cold Weather
The Cummins diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
•The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed
in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind
the oil filter. It requires a 110–115 Volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
44 STARTING AND OPERATING