2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab service

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.
23. 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. 24. Front Fog Light Indicator Light – If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on.
25. Seat Belt Reminder Light When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb
check or when driving, if the driver’s seat belt remains
unbuckled, the seat belt reminder light will flash or
remain on continuously. Refer to Occupant Restraints/
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlert )in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” in the
Owners Manual for further information.
24 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center – If
Equipped” in the Owner’s Manual for further informa-
tion.
EVIC Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the EVIC displays
the following messages:
•System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle Not in Park
•System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle in Motion
•Service Air Filter
•Perform Service
•Exhaust Filter XX% Full
•Exhaust Filter Full – Power Reduced See Dealer
•Exhaust Service Required – See Dealer Now
•Exhaust System – Regeneration Required Now
•Exhaust System – Regeneration In Process
•Exhaust System – Regeneration Completed
•Low DEF Refill Soon
•Refill DEF Engine Will Not Start In XXX Miles
•Refill DEF Engine Will Not Start
•Service DEF System See Dealer
•Service DEF Syst Engine Will Not Start in XXX Mi See
Dealer
•Service DEF System Engine Will Not Start See Dealer
•Engine Power Reduced During Warmup
•Engine Power Reduced up to 30-sec During Warmup
•Engine Power Reduced up to 2-min During Warmup
26 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages – Chassis Cab Only
There are three different messages which are displayed if
the vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled
with a fluid other than DEF, has experienced component
failures, or when tampering has been detected. The
vehicle will not start if the DEF system is not serviced
within less than 250 miles (402 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
200 Miles – See Dealer — This message will display if
the DEF system has not been serviced after the “Ser-
vice DEF System – See Dealer” message is displayed.
This message will continuously display until the mile-
age counter reaches zero, and will be accompanied by
a periodic chime. The message will continue to count-
down until it reaches zero unless the vehicle is ser-
viced. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
NOTE: Under some circumstances this mileage counter
may start with a value of less than 200 miles (322 km). For
example, if recurring faults are detected in a time interval
of less than 40 hours, the counter may restart at the value
where it stopped when a previous fault was temporarily
remedied, or at a minimum of 50 miles (80 km).
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 29

•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.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine will
no longer start after it has been turned off.
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 sump temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the hours of engine operation.
30 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
Practically all failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:
•engine misfiring or vibrating severely
•sudden loss of power
•unusual engine noises
•fuel, oil or coolant leaks
•sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature
•excessive smoke
•oil pressure drop
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood to
the right side and can be located just behind the grille
near the headlamp.
NOTE:The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized MOPAR
dealer.
The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 49

Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth gear regardless of which forward gear is
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue
to operate. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. For example, if you shift
the transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but will shift down into
second and first gear normally.
60 STARTING AND OPERATING

gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). On cold starts below 41°F (5°C),
fifth and sixth gears may be inhibited briefly. During very
cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or below), operation may
briefly be limited to third gear only. During this condi-
tion, the ability of the vehicle to accelerate under heavily
loaded conditions may be reduced. Normal operation
will resume once the transmission temperature has risen
to a suitable level.Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in third gear regardless of which forward gear is selected.
If the vehicle enters Limp Home Mode at highway
speeds, it will initially engage fifth gear, until the vehicle
slows to a speed where third gear can be engaged. PARK,
REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to operate. Limp
Home Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without damaging the
transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
70 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. For example, if you shift
the transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but will shift down into
second and first gear normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the shift lever is in the DRIVE
position, the transmission will operate automatically,
shifting between all available gears. Tapping the ERS (-)
switch will activate ERS mode, display the current gear in
the instrument cluster, and maintain that gear as the top
available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping the ERS (-) or
(+) switch will change the top available gear.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 71