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CAUTION!
The starter motor will engage for approximately 30
seconds at a time. Allow two minutes between crank-
ing intervals.
NOTE:The engine may run rough until the air is forced
from all the fuel lines.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending
agent. They can be unstable under certain conditions
and be hazardous or explosive when mixed with
diesel fuel.
CAUTION!
Due to lack of lubricants in alcohol or gasoline, the
use of these fuels can cause damage to the fuel
system.
NOTE:
•We recommend you use a blend of up to 5% biodiesel,
that meets ASTM specification D-975 with your diesel
engine. Use of biodiesel mixture in excess of 20% can
negatively impact the fuel filter’s ability to separate
water from the fuel, resulting in high pressure fuel
system corrosion or damage.
•In addition, commercially available fuel additives are
not necessary for the proper operation of your diesel
engine.
110 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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•Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler
The charge air cooler is positioned in front of the radiator
and the air conditioner condenser. Air enters the engine
through the air cleaner and passes through the turbo-
charger, where it is pressurized. This pressurized air
rapidly reaches high temperature. The air is then directed
through a hose to the charge air cooler and throughanother hose to the intake manifold of the engine. This
cooling process enables more efficient burning of fuel
resulting in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the system, keep
the surfaces of the charge air cooler, condenser and
radiator clean and free of debris. Periodically check the
hoses leading to and from the charge air cooler for cracks
or loose clamps resulting in loss of pressure and reduced
engine performance.
Brake System
Brake Master Cylinder — Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immedi-
ately if the “Brake System Warning Light” indicates
system failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
118 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
•Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank.
•Drain water from fuel filter assembly.
•Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
•Inspect exhaust system.
•Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 129
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REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
This system uses the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter to start the engine conve-
niently from outside the vehicle while still
maintaining security. The system has a range of
approximately 300 ft (91 m).
NOTE:
•The vehicle must be equipped with an automatic
transmission to be equipped with Remote Start.
•The remote start system will wait for the “Wait To
Start” telltale to extinguish before cranking the engine.
This allows time for the intake heater to pre-heat the
incoming air, and is normal operation in cold weather.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center/EVICWarning Lights” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information on and “Wait To Start”
telltale and pre-heat cycle.
How To Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:
•Shift lever in PARK
•Doors closed
•Hood closed
•HAZARD switch off
•BRAKE switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed)
•Ignition key removed from ignition switch
•Battery at an acceptable charge level
•RKE PANIC button not pressed
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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 remains on and does not flash, or flashes at a
rapid rate.
5. Engine Coolant Temperature
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher temperatures when
driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, or in heavy
stop and go traffic. If the red Warning Light turns on
while driving, safely bring the vehicle to a stop, and turn
off the engine. DO NOT operate the vehicle until the
cause is corrected.CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealer for service.
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8. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned to
ON/RUN, this light will turn on for four 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” in “Things To Know Before
Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.
9. Air Bag Warning Light
This light will turn on for four to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned to ON/RUN. If the light is either not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected at an authorizeddealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant Restraints”
in “Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.
10. Engine Oil Pressure
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.
If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of the gauge,
the Check Gauges indicator will illuminate and a single
chime will sound.
11. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (mph/km/h).
3
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Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Displays the follow-
ing messages:
•System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle Not in Park
•System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle in Motion
•Service Air Filter
•Perform Service
•Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds To Remedy — If Equipped
•Exhaust Filter Full – Power Reduced See Dealer — If
Equipped
•Exhaust Service Required – See Dealer Now — If
Equipped•Exhaust System – Filter XX% Full Service Required See
Dealer — If Equipped
•Exhaust System – Regeneration In Process Exhaust
Filter XX% Full — If Equipped
•Exhaust System – Regeneration Completed — If
Equipped
•DEF Low Refill Soon
•Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF
•5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Refill DEF
•5 MPH Max Speed Refill DEF
•Service DEF System See Dealer
•5 MPH Max Speed in XXX mi Service DEF System See
Dealer
•5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
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•The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
•If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
•If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
•5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer—
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
NOTE:When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the EVIC displays the message “Ac-
tive Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle
performance may be reduced until service is performed
by an authorized RAM dealer.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this
message appears, dealers should replace both frame
mounted and engine mounted fuel filters.
NOTE:Use the steering wheel EVIC controls for the
following procedure(s)
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183