2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab brake

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 — Headlight Switch 7 — 115v Power Inverter Outlet 13 — Transfer Case Position Switch
2 — Instrument Cluster 8 — Power Outlet 14 — Ignition Switch
3 — Radio 9 — Lower Switch Bank 15 — Hood Release
4 — Upper Switch Bank 10 — Cup Holders 16 — Parking Brake Release
5 — Upper Glove Compartment 11 — Climate Controls
6 — Lower Glove Compartment 12 — Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187

19. Voltmeter — If Equipped
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.20. Cargo Light
The cargo light will illuminate when the cargo
light is activated by pressing the cargo light
button on the headlight switch.
21. 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.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS). In this case, the light will remain on until
the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

to the brake booster, the ABS pump will run when
applying the brake and a brake pedal pulsation may be
felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the ABS, are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). In the event of
an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light will turn on
along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair to the ABS
system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 199

The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
22. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the engine
is started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for four minutes when this light turns
on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not indicate how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
For vehicles equipped with a premium cluster this indi-
cator will display in the Electronic Vehicle InformationCenter (EVIC). Refer to ”Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) — If Equipped” for further information.
23. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic (OBDII) system which
monitors the emissions and engine control sys-
tem. If the vehicle is ready for emissions testing, the light
will come on when the ignition is first turned on and
remain on, as a bulb check, until the engine is started. If
the vehicle is not ready for emissions testing the light will
come on when the ignition is first turned on and remain
on for 15 seconds, then blink for 5 seconds, and remain
on until the vehicle is started. If the bulb does not come
on during starting, have the condition investigated
promptly.
If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
200 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

25. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on.
26. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
This light monitors the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS 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.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of anti-lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.27. 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 4-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 Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Press and release the DOWN button to scroll
downward through the main menus and sub-
menus.
SELECT Button
Press and release the SELECT button for access
to main menus or sub-menus. Press and hold
the SELECT button for two seconds to reset
features.
BACK Button
Press the BACK button to scroll back to a
previous menu or sub-menu.Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the EVIC displays
the following messages:
•Left front turn signal lamp out
•Right front turn signal lamp out
•Left rear turn signal lamp out
•Right rear turn signal lamp out
•Service air filter
•Perform service
•ESC Off
•Coolant Low
•Check Trailer Brake Wiring
•Service Trailer Brake System
206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Trailer Brake Connected
•Trailer Brake Disconnected
•Lights On
•Keyfob Battery Low
•ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
•Wrong Key
•Damaged Key
•Key not programmed
•Key In Ignition
•Turn Signal On
•Oil Change Due > Dealer Info
•System Setup Unavailable
•Warning Object Detected
•System Setup Unavailable - Vehicle in Motion
•Service Four Wheel Drive System
•Adjustable pedals unavail.
•Cruise engaged
•Adjustable pedals unavail. Veh. in reverse
•Clean Park Assist sensors
•Front Park Assist Not available - Blinded
•Rear Park Assist Not available - Blinded
•Low Fuel
•Personal Settings Not Available — Vehicle Not in Park
•Service blind spot system
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207

•Trailer Brake — If Equipped
Displays trailer brake output power and trailer brake
status indicator.
•Engine Hours
Displays the number of hours of engine operation.
Units
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Units”
displays in the EVIC and press the SELECT button. The
EVIC, odometer, and navigation system (if equipped) can
be changed between English and Metric units of mea-
sure. To make your selection, scroll up or down until the
preferred setting is highlighted, then press and release
the SELECT button until a check-mark appears next to
the setting, showing that the setting has been selected.
Compass / Temperature Display
The compass readings indicate the direction the vehicle is
facing. The EVIC will display one of eight compass
readings and the outside temperature.
NOTE:
•The system will display the last known outside tem-
perature when starting the vehicle and may need to be
driven several minutes before the updated tempera-
ture is displayed. Engine temperature can also affect
the displayed temperature; therefore, temperature
readings are not updated when the vehicle is not
moving.
•During snowplow usage on vehicles equipped with
outside temperature display, the display may show
higher temperatures than the outside ambient tem-
perature. The higher displayed temperature is due to
blocked or reduced airflow to the underhood ambient
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 215