2011 Ram 3500 tow

•Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
NOTE: Light duty operation such as light trailer towing
or no load operation will extend the time before the
engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.
For additional vehicle break-in requirements, refer to
“Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” of the
Owners Manual. Because of the construction of the Cummins
turbo-
charged diesel engine, engine run-in is enhanced by
loaded operating conditions which allow the engine
parts to achieve final finish and fit during the first
6,000 miles (10 000 km).
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 7

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
CAUTION!
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
pointer at high RPM for extended periods. Engine
damage may occur.
2. Turn Signal Indicator Light The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
NOTE:
•A continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is driven
more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
•Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate.
3. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
4. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 11

9. TOW/HAUL Indicator Light – If EquippedThe TOW HAUL button is located on the
center stack switch bank. This light will illumi-
nate when TOW HAUL mode is selected
10. Exhaust Brake Indicator Light
This light will illuminate when the exhaust brake has
been turned on.
11. Oil Pressure Gauge
The pointer should always indicate some oil pressure
when the engine is running. A continuous high or low
reading under normal driving conditions may indicate a
lubrication system malfunction. Immediate service
should be obtained from an authorized dealer.
12. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode. 13. Odometer/Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) Display
Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the TRIP ODOMETER button.
To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button for
approximately two seconds until the display resets.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 13

14. Shift Lever Indicator
This display indicator shows the transmission shift lever
selection.
15. High Beam Indicator LightThis indicator shows that headlights are on high
beam. Push the multifunction lever forward to
switch the headlights to high beam, and pull toward
yourself (normal position) to return to low beam.
16. Voltmeter
When the engine is running, the gauge indicates the
electrical system voltage. The pointer should stay within
the normal range if the battery is charged. If the pointer
moves to either extreme left or right and remains there
during normal driving, the electrical system should be
serviced.
NOTE: The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at
various engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold heater system. The number of cycles and the length of the
cycling operation is controlled by the engine control
module. Post-heat operation can run for several minutes,
and then the electrical system and voltmeter needle will
stabilize.
17. Cargo Light
The cargo light will illuminate when the cargo
light is activated by pressing the cargo light
button on the headlight switch.
18. Brake Warning Light This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the Anti-Lock Brake System reservoir.
14 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability.
21. Airbag Warning Light This light turns on and remains on for six to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. 22. Front Fog Light Indicator Light – If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on.
23. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Warning Light This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the “ABS Warning Light” remains on or turns on while
driving, it indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake
system is not functioning and that service is required.
However, the conventional brake system will continue to
operate normally if the “Brake Warning Light” is not on.3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 19

•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

normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “What To Do In Emergencies/If Your
Engine Overheats” in the Owner’s Manual for more
information.
•SERV 4WD Warning LightThis light monitors the electric shift 4WD sys-
tem. If the SERV 4WD warning light stays on or
comes on during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and
that service is required.
•Transmission Temperature Warning Light This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as four-wheel drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off-road operation). If this light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the “Transmission Tem-
perature Warning Light” illuminated will eventually
cause severe transmission damage or transmission
failure.
WARNING!
In some circumstances, the “Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light” under continued operation,
could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact
with hot engine or exhaust components and cause a
fire.
26 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages – Chassis Cab Only
There are three different messages if the vehicle detects
that the DEF system has been filled with a fluid other
than DEF, component failures, or tampering has been
detected. The vehicle will not start if the DEF system is
not serviced within 750 miles (1 207 km) of the fault being
detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System – See Dealer— This message
will display when the fault is initially detected, each
time the vehicle is started, and periodically during
driving. The message will be accompanied by a single
chime. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible.
•Service DEF System Engine Will Not Start In
500 Miles – See Dealer — This message will display if
the DEF system has not been serviced within 250 miles
after the “Service DEF System – See Dealer” message is
displayed. This message will continuously display
until the mileage counter reaches zero, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. The message will
continue to countdown until it reaches zero unless the
vehicle is serviced. We recommend you drive to your
nearest authorized dealer and have your vehicle ser-
viced immediately.
•Service DEF System Engine Will Not Start – See
Dealer — This message will continuously display
when the mileage counter reaches zero, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. The engine will not
restart after it has been turned off, your vehicle will
require towing, see your authorized dealer for service.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 29