2014 Ram 2500 cooling

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.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
(Continued)
20 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!(Continued)
Vehicle.” Follow the warnings under the “Cooling
System Pressure Cap” paragraph.
6. 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)/Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the conditionhas been corrected. If the problem is related 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 necessary.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 21

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES.................59
▫Normal Starting.......................60
▫Automatic Transmission.................60
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go™...................61
▫Extreme Cold Weather...................62
▫Starting Fluids........................62
NORMAL OPERATION...................63
▫Cold Weather Precautions................64
▫Engine Idling.........................65
▫Stopping The Engine....................66▫Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission..........................67
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED....68
FUEL REQUIREMENTS...................69
▫Fuel Specifications.....................70
▫Biodiesel Fuel Requirements...............71
TRAILER TOWING......................74
▫Common Towing Definitions..............74
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............77
4

Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission
To reduce the potential for engine and transmission
overheating in high ambient temperature conditions,
take the following actions:
•City Driving — When stopped, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
•Highway Driving — Reduce your speed.
•Up Steep Hills — Select a lower transmission gear.
•Air Conditioning — Turn it off temporarily.
NOTE:If the coolant temperature is too high the A/C
will automatically turn off.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
If the low oil pressure warning light turns on while driving,
stop the vehicle and shut down the engine as soon as
possible. A chime will sound when the light turns on.
NOTE:Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is
corrected. This light does not show how much oil is in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood.
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal readings, shut
the engine off immediately. Failure to do so could
result in immediate and severe engine damage.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 67

Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Air Suspension System
To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle,
the air suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air
Suspension System” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.NOTE:The vehicle must remain in the engine running
position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of
the air suspension system.
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID
Your vehicle is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction
system to meet the very stringent diesel emissions standards
required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of NOx
(oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines) that are harm-
ful to our health and the environment to a near-zero level.
Small quantities of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is injected
into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst where, when
vaporized, it converts smog-forming nitrogen oxides
(NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water vapor
(H2O), two natural components of the air we breathe.
You can operate with the comfort that your vehicle is
contributing to a cleaner, healthier world environment
for this and generations to come.
90 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.0L DIESEL. . . .100
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........101
▫Engine Oil..........................102
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................104
▫Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......105
▫Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement. .108
▫Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel . .109
▫Intervention Regeneration Strategy — EVIC
Message Process Flow..................111▫Maintenance-Free Batteries...............111
▫Cooling System......................112
▫Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler.........118
▫Brake System........................118
FLUID CAPACITIES....................121
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PARTS ..............................122
▫Engine.............................122
▫Chassis............................125
5

CAUTION!
It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to the
negative post. Battery posts are marked (+) positive
and negative (-) and are identified on the battery
case. Also, if a “fast charger” is used while the battery
is in vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
112 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the A/C condenser (if equipped) or the back of the
radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
The radiator drain cock is located in the lower radiator
tank. If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant expan-
sion bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRES-
SURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System — Drain Flush And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 113