Page 24 of 360

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.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
7. High Beam Indicator
This indicator shows that headlights are on
high beam. Push the multifunction lever for-
ward to switch the headlights to high beam,
and pull toward yourself (normal position) to return to
low beam.
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
22 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 61 of 360

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, both inside
and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to 30-second
intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the Key Fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the trans-
mission gear selector.
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition (of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN
mode. A child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
NOTE:Engine start up in very low ambient temperature
could result in evident white smoke. This condition will
disappear as the engine warms up.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 59
Page 133 of 360
Mileage or time passed (whichever comes
first)
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
16,000
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Inspect the transfer case fluid. X X X
Additional Maintenance
Drain water from fuel filter assembly. X X X X X X X X X X
Replace fuel filter and drain water from the fuel
filter assembly.XX X X X
Replace engine air filter. X X X X X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years
or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes
first.XX
Replace accessory drive belt(s). X
6
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 131
Page 161 of 360

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
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 159
Page 204 of 360

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the key fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•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. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector. Do not leave the
key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location
accessible to children), and do not leave the igni-
tion (of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-
Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 341 of 360
Mileage or time passed (which-
ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Inspect drive belt; replace as nec-
essary.XXXXXX
Inspect wheel bearings. X X X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine fuel filter element. X X X X X X X X X X
Replace chassis mounted fuel
filter element.XXXXXXXX X X
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level. If
using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing change the axle fluid. *
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 339
Page 350 of 360

Tank Capacity..........................121
Fueling.................................92
Gauges
Speedometer...........................23
Tachometer............................18
Voltmeter..............................63
Gross Axle Weight Rating....................75
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating..................74
Hitches
Trailer Towing..........................77
Information Center, Vehicle...................30
Instrument Cluster.........................16
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls...............82
Intervention Regeneration Strategy..............41
Keyless Enter-N-Go........................61Lights
Airbag................................23
Alarm................................24
Anti-Lock.............................18
Brake Warning..........................21
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)..........18
Fog ..................................26
High Beam............................22
High Beam Indicator......................22
Instrument Cluster.......................18
Seat Belt Reminder.......................22
Security Alarm..........................24
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).............24
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description).......18
Maintenance Procedures....................101
Maintenance Schedule......................128
New Vehicle Break-In Period..................14
348 INDEX - RAM 1500
Page 351 of 360

Oil, Engine..............................102
Capacity.............................121
Change Interval........................103
Dipstick..............................102
Disposal..............................104
Filter............................104 , 122
Filter Disposal.........................104
Materials Added to......................104
Recommendation.......................102
Viscosity.............................103
Overheating, Engine........................20
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)...........113
Remote Starting System......................12
Schedule, Maintenance.....................128
Seat Belts
Reminder..............................22
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)...............122Signals, Turn.............................19
Speedometer.............................23
Starting.................................59
Automatic Transmission...................60
Engine Block Heater...................62,68
Remote...............................12
Starting Procedures.........................59
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines).............59
Tachometer..............................18
Tip Start................................60
Ti re s
Pressure Warning Light....................24
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.................78
Towing.................................74
Guide................................78
Weight...............................78
Trailer Towing............................74
Cooling System Tips......................90
INDEX - RAM 1500 349