2012 Ram Cargo Van warning

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. You may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing.
•Engine Temperature Warning LightThis light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H,this indicator will illuminate and a
single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to
pass H,the indicator will continuously 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
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for more information.
•Transmission Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that the transmission fluid
temperature is running hot. This may occur
with severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this
light turns on, safely pull over and stop the
vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and
run the engine at idle or faster until the light turns off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
308 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
If the Transmission Temperature Warning Light is
illuminated and you continue operating the vehicle,
in some circumstances you could cause the fluid to
boil over, come in contact with hot engine or exhaust
components and cause a fire.
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. TheOil Change Required 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/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Menu 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 depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK 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.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 309

•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Engine Hours
Displays the number of hours of engine operation.
Messages #
Select from Main Menu using the UP or DOWN buttons.
This feature shows the number of stored warning mes-
sages (in the # place holder). Pressing the SELECT button
will allow you to see what the stored messages are. Press
and release the UP and DOWN buttons if there is more
than one message to step through the remaining stored
messages. Pressing the BACK button takes you back to
the Main Menu.
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
temperature 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.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates the
need to manually reset the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the EVIC will
display CAL until the compass is calibrated. You may
also calibrate the compass by completing one or more
360–degree turns (in an area free from large metal or
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 313

NOTE:Keep magnetic materials away from the top of
the instrument panel, such as iPod’s, Mobile Phones,
Laptops 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.
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 VEHICLE
NOT IN PARK displays when you try to select “System
Setup” from the main menu.
Compass Variance Map
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 315

CAUTION!
•Leaving the iPodor external USB device (or any
supported device) anywhere in the vehicle in
extreme heat or cold can alter the operation or
damage the device. Follow the device manufactur-
er ’s guidelines.
•Placing items on the iPod or external USB device,
or connections to the iPod or external USB device
in the vehicle, can cause damage to the device
and/or to the connectors.
WARNING!
Do not plug in or remove the iPod or external USB
device while driving. Failure to follow this warning
could result in an accident.
Bluetooth Streaming Audio (BTSA)
Music can be streamed from your cellular phone to the
Uconnect™ phone system.
Controlling BTSA Using Radio Buttons
To get into the BTSA mode, press either “AUX” button on
the radio or press the VR button and say “Bluetooth
Streaming Audio”.
Play Mode
When switched to BTSA mode, some audio devices can
start playing music over the vehicle’s audio system, but
some devices require the music to be initiated on the
device first, then it will get streamed to the Uconnect™
phone system. Seven devices can be paired to the
Uconnect™ phone system, but just one can be selected
and played.
Selecting Different Audio Device
1. Press PHONE button to begin.
352 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Driving Through Water ................. 435
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 435
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 436
 Power Steering ....................... 437
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 438
 Parking Brake ........................ 439
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 441
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light .......... 443
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 443
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 443
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 444
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 445
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 449 
Tire Safety Information ................. 452
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 452
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 455
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 456
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 457
 Tires — General Information ............. 461
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 461
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 462
▫ Tire Pressures For High-Speed Operation . . . 463
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 464
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 464
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 465
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 466
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 466
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 467
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 468
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 468
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 469
 Tire Chains .......................... 470
 Snow Tires .......................... 472
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 472
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 473
▫ Base System ........................ 476
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 478
Fuel Requirements ..................... 482
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 482
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 482
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 483
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 483
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 484
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 484
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 485
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 486
 Flexible Fuel — If Equipped .............. 486
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 486
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 488
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 488
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STARTING AND OPERATING 417

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A
child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
1. Do not press the accelerator.
2. Use the Fob with Integrated Key to briefly turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release it as
soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will disengage automatically
when the engine is running.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 419