2013 Ram 1500 service indicator

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though 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
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions tests
can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing, while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines
that the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly
installed, or damaged, a loose gascap indicator
will display in the EVIC telltale display area.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 633

“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press
the SELECT button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
634 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other thanyour authorized dealer, the message can be reset by refer-
ring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and transmission as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
M
A I
N T
E
N
A
N
C E
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S696 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Cargo Light............................ .170
Car Washes ............................ .662
Cellular Phone .......................... .314
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............684
Center Seat Storage Compartment .............219
Certification Label ........................ .532
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .483
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .257
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............120
Checks, Safety .......................... .120
Child Restraint ............................84
Cigar Lighter ........................... .212
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .522
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .664
Climate Control ......................... .314
Cold Weather Operation ....................345
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............313
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .498Console, Overhead
....................... .194
Contract, Service ......................... .707
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........650
Cooling System .......................... .647
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............649
Coolant Capacity ...................... .689
Coolant Level ......................... .648
Disposal of Used Coolant .................651
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................648
Inspection ........................... .651
Points to Remember .....................653
Pressure Cap ......................... .650
Radiator Cap ......................... .650
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............648
Corrosion Protection ...................... .661
Cupholders ............................ .214
Customer Assistance ...................... .705
Data

Recorder, Event .......................83
716 INDEX

Cap Top Clearance..................... .686
Cargo .............................. .170
Center Mounted Stop ....................684
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) .........257
Courtesy/Reading ..................... .168
Daytime Running ...................... .163
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator .....480
Exterior ............................. .124
Fog ................................ .166
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ................390
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................571
Headlights ........................... .162
High Beam ........................... .172
High Beam Indicator .....................261
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............172
Illuminated Entry ........................22
Instrument Cluster ..................... .257
Interior ............................. .167
Oil Pressure .......................... .262Passing
............................. .172
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .261
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ...............262
Service .............................. .678
Side Marker .......................... .688
SmartBeams .......................... .164
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ...............262
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............262
Traction Control ....................... .480
Transfer Case ......................... .390
Turn Signal .......................... .124
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......257
Limited-Slip Differential ....................440
Loading Vehicle ......................... .532
Tires ............................... .488
Locks ..................................34
Automatic Door .........................37
Child

Protection .........................38
Door .................................34
722 INDEX

Power Door............................36
Low Tire Pressure System ...................508
Lubrication, Body ........................ .643
Maintenance Free Battery ....................641
Maintenance Procedures ....................636
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .696
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......634
Manual, Service ......................... .710
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ...................... .658
Lubricant Selection ..................... .692
Memory Seat ........................... .156
Methanol .............................. .522
Mirrors ............................... .131
Electric Powered ....................... .136
Heated .............................. .137
Memory ............................. .156
Outside ............................. .133Rearview
............................ .131
Trailer Towing ........................ .139
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................508
Mopar Parts ............................ .635
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .522
Multi-Function Control Lever .................171
Navigation System (Uconnect® gps) ............193
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................119
Occupant Restraints ........................47
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................69
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................521
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ..............421
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ..............421
Oil, Engine ............................. .637
Capacity ............................ .689
Change Interval ....................... .638
10
INDEX 723

Tire Safety Information.....................482
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................544
Tonneau Cover .......................... .667
Tonneau Cover Cleaning ....................667
Torque Converter Clutch ....................375
Tow Hooks, Emergency .....................618
Towing ............................... .534
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .623
Guide .............................. .540
Recreational .......................... .561
Weight .............................. .540
Traction ............................... .441
Traction Control ......................... .471
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................481
Trailer Towing .......................... .534
Cooling System Tips .....................556
Hitches ............................. .539
Minimum Requirements ..................545
Mirrors ............................. .139Trailer and Tongue Weight
.................544
Wiring .............................. .553
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .540
Trailer Weight ........................... .540
Transfer Case ........................... .658
Electronically Shifted .....................390
Fluid ............................... .692
Transmission ........................... .355
Automatic ........................... .355
Fluid ............................... .692
Maintenance .......................... .658
Shifting ............................. .352
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .30
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . . .23
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) .........23
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .500
Turn Signals ............................ .171
Uniform Tire Quality Grades .................
71110
INDEX 729