2015 Ram 1500 maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................7
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE ............................11
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ...................................15
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STARTING AND OPERATING ..................................................73
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE ................................................99
6
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ..................................................127
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A MESSAGE FROM FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC welcomes you as a turbocharged diesel-
powered truck owner. Your diesel truck will sound, feel,
drive, and operate differently from a gasoline-powered
truck. It is important that you read and understand this
manual.
Almost 100% of the heavy trucks in the United States and
Canada are diesel-powered because of the fuel economy,
rugged durability, and high torque which permits pulling
heavy loads.
You may find that some of the starting, operating, and
maintenance procedures are different. However, they are
simple to follow and careful adherence to them will
ensure that you take full advantage of the features of this
engine.NOTE:
•
Some aftermarket products may cause severe engine/
transmission and/or exhaust system damage. Your
vehicle’s Powertrain Control Systems can detect and
store information about vehicle modifications that
increase horsepower and torque output such as
whether or not performance-enhancing powertrain
components, commonly referred to as downloaders,
power boxes, or performance chips have been used.
•
Any chassis/suspension or tire size modifications to the
vehicle will effect the performance of the Adaptive
Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning System.
8 INTRODUCTION

tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement oralternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Using aftermarket tire sealants may
cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
(Continued)
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 21

reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement oralternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Using aftermarket tire sealants may
cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
(Continued)
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 37

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Messages
This engine meets all required diesel engine emissions
standards. To achieve these emissions standards, your
vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art engine and
exhaust system. These systems are seamlessly integrated
into your vehicle and managed by the Powertrain Con-
trol Module (PCM). The PCM manages engine combus-
tion to allow the exhaust system’s catalyst to trap and
burn Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants, with no input or
interaction on your part.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to additional
maintenance required on your vehicle or engine. Refer to
the following messages that may be displayed on your
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC):
•
Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds to Remedy — This message will be displayed
in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) if
the exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of its maxi-
mum storage capacity. Under conditions of exclusive
short duration and low speed driving cycles, your
diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment system may
never reach the conditions required to cleanse the filter
to remove the trapped PM. If this occurs, the “Exhaust
Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds to
Remedy” message will be displayed in the EVIC. If
this message is displayed, you will hear one chime to
assist in alerting you of this condition. By simply
driving your vehicle at highway speeds for up to 20
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 49

•Unstored Messages
This message type is displayed indefinitely or until the
condition that activated the message is cleared. Examples
of this message type are “Turn Signal On” (if a turn signal
is left on) and “Lights On” (if driver leaves the vehicle).
• Unstored Messages Until RUN
These messages deal primarily with the Remote Start
feature. This message type is displayed until the ignition
is in the RUN state. Examples of this message type are
“Remote Start Aborted - Door Ajar” and “Press Brake
Pedal and Push Button to Start”.
• Five Second Unstored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of
message takes control of the main display area for five
seconds and then returns to the previous screen. An
example of this message type is “Automatic High Beams
On”.Diesel Indicator Lights
This area will show reconfigurable amber telltales that
relate to your diesel. These telltales include:
NOTE: “Refer to your OM on DVD for additional telltale
information”
Water In Fuel Indicator Light
The “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illumi-
nate when there is water detected in the fuel
filters. If this light remains on, DO NOT start the
vehicle before you drain the water from the fuel
filters to prevent engine damage. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filters” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Wait To Start Light
The “Wait To Start” telltale will illuminate for
approximately two seconds when the ignition is
60 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to additional
maintenance required on your vehicle or engine. Refer to the
following messages that may be displayed on your DID:
•Perform Service —Your vehicle will require emissions
maintenance at a set interval. To help remind you when
this maintenance is due, the Cluster will display “Per-
form Service”. When the “Perform Service” message is
displayed on the DID it is necessary to have the emis-
sions maintenance performed. Emissions maintenance
may include replacing the Closed Crankcase Ventilation
(CCV) filter element. The procedure for clearing and
resetting the Perform Service indicator message is
located in the appropriate Service Information.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration Required Now —
Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds to Remedy will be displayed in the Cluster if
the exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of its maxi-
mum storage capacity. Under conditions of exclusive short duration and low speed driving cycles, your
Cummins® diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment
system may never reach the conditions required to
remove the trapped PM. If this occurs, the “Exhaust
Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds to
Remedy” message will be displayed in the DID. If this
message is displayed, you will hear one chime to assist
in alerting you of this condition
• By simply driving your vehicle at highway speeds for
as little as 45 minutes, you can remedy the condition in
the particulate filter system and allow your Cum-
mins® diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment sys-
tem to remove the trapped PM and restore the system
to normal operating condition.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration In Process Exhaust
Filter XX% Full — Indicates that the Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) is self-cleaning. Maintain your current
driving condition until regeneration is completed.
62 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
•The engine is allowed to crank as long as 30
seconds. If the engine fails to start during this
period, please wait at least two minutes for the
starter to cool before repeating start procedure.
• If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on,
DO NOT START engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water
Separator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key fob to the START position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, turn the
key fob to the OFF position, wait five seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission gear selector in the
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Tip Start Feature
Do not
press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
76 STARTING AND OPERATING