2014 Ram 3500 warning

•Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer— This message
will display if the DEF system has detected the incor-
rect fluid has been introduced to the DEF tank. The
message will be accompanied by a single chime. We
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced immediately. If
not corrected in 50 miles, vehicle will enter the Engine
Will not restart in XXX mi Service DEF See dealer
warning stage and message.
•Engine Will Not Restart in XXX mi Service DEF See
Dealer— This message is first displayed if the fault
detected is not serviced after 50 miles of operation. It is
also displayed at 150 miles 125 miles and 100 miles.
System service is required within the displayed mile-
age. The message will be displayed in the EVIC during
vehicle start up with an updated distance mileage, and
it will be accompanied by a single chime. Starting at
100 miles, remaining range will be continuously dis-
played while operating the vehicle. Chimes will alsoaccompany the 75, 50 and 25 mile remaining distances.
We recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced immediately.
•Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer— This message will display if DEF system
issue detected is not serviced during the allowed
period. Your engine will not restart unless your vehicle
is serviced by your authorized dealer. This message
will be displayed when under 1 mile until engine will
not start and each time the vehicle is started, and will
be continuously displayed. The message will be ac-
companied by a single chime. Your Malfunction Indi-
cator Light will be continuously illumined. We highly
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer if the message appears while engine is running.
•Engine Will Not Start Service DEF System See
Dealer— This message will display when the fault
detected is not serviced after the Engine will not restart
54 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 59

3. The system will automatically engage the starter to
crank the engine. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter
will disengage automatically after 30 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to
the engine starting, press the button again.
5. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned
off.
6. Release the parking brake.
Extreme Cold Weather
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in
the water jacket of the engine. It requires a 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord. Its use is recommended for environments that
routinely fall below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when
the vehicle has not been running overnight or longerperiods and should be plugged in two hours prior to
start. Its use is required for cold starts with temperatures
under -20°F (-28°C).
NOTE: The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized MOPAR®
dealer.
•A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids in
preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
•A Diesel Pre-Heat system both improves engine start-
ing and reduces the amount of white smoke generated
by a warming engine.
Starting Fluids
The engine is equipped with a glow plug preheating
system. If the instructions in this manual are followed,
62 STARTING AND OPERATING

the engine should start in all conditions and no type of
starting fluid should be used.
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.
•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
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
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.
NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the diesel engine is operat-
ing.
•All message center lights are off.
•Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is off.
•Engine Oil Pressure telltale is not illuminated.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 63

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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 67

Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
All engine failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:
•engine misfiring or vibrating severely
•sudden loss of power
•unusual engine noises
•fuel, oil or coolant leaks
•sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature
•excessive smoke
•oil pressure drop
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
Its use is recommended for environments that routinely
fall below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when the
vehicle has not been running for long periods of time and
should be plugged in two hours prior to start. Its use is
required for cold starts with temperatures under -20°F
(-28°C).
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
68 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110–115 Volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
NOTE:The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in
your vehicle. Federal law requires that you must fuel this
vehicle with Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (15
ppm Sulfur maximum) and prohibits the use of Low
Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (500 ppm Sulfur maximum)
to avoid damage to the emissions control system.
For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting
ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for
Testing and Materials) specification D-975 Grade S15 willprovide good performance. If the vehicle is exposed to
extreme cold (below 20°F or -7°C), or is required to
operate at colder-than-normal conditions for prolonged
periods, use climatized No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No.
2 diesel fuel with 50% No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide
better protection from fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the
fuel filters.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending
agent. They can be unstable under certain conditions
and hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel
fuel.
Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To prevent
fuel system trouble, drain the accumulated water from
the fuel/water separator using the fuel/water separator
drain provided on the fuel filter housing. If you buy good
quality fuel and follow the cold weather advice above,
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STARTING AND OPERATING 69

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less
than 10% of the trailer load. You must consider this as
part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the
maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control can be a mechanical telescoping
link that can be installed between the hitch receiver and
the trailer tongue that typically provides adjustable fric-
tion associated with the telescoping motion to dampen
any unwanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 75