2015 Ram 1500 mileage

CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages
when the DEF level reaches a driving range of approxi-
mately 500 miles (800 km). If the following warning
message sequence is ignored, your vehicle may not
restart unless DEF is added with in the displayed mileage
shown in the Cluster message.
•Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low Refill
Soon — This message will display when DEF driving
range is less than 500 miles, DEF fluid top off is
required with in the displayed mileage. The message
will be displayed in the cluster during vehicle start up
with the current allowed mileage and accompanied by a single chime. The remaining mileage can be pulled
up anytime by way of the “Messages” list within the
EVIC/DID
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF —
This message will display when DEF driving range is
less than 200 miles. It is also displayed at 150 miles and
100 miles. DEF fluid top off is required with in the
displayed mileage. The message will be displayed in
the EVIC/DID during vehicle start up with an up-
dated distance mileage, and it will be accompanied by
a single chime. Stating at 100 miles, remaining range
will be continuously displayed while operating the
vehicle. Chimes will also accompany the 75, 50 and 25
mile remaining distances. The DEF Low telltale will be
on continuously until DEF fluid is topped off.
• Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF — This message
will display when the DEF driving range is less than 1
mile, DEF fluid top off is required or the engine will
not restart. The message will be displayed in the
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 51

EVIC/DID during vehicle start up, and it will be
accompanied by a single chime. The DEF Low telltale
will be illuminated continuously until DEF fluid tank
is filled with a minimum of two gallons of DEF.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages
There are different messages which are displayed if the
vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled with
a fluid other than DEF, has experienced component
failures, or when tampering has been detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System See Dealer — This message will
display when the fault is initially detected and each
time the vehicle is started. The message will be accom-
panied by a single chime and the Malfunction Indica-
tor Light. 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 XXXmi 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 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 displayed
while operating the vehicle. Chimes will also accom-
pany the 75, 50 and 25 mile remaining distances. We
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced immediately.
52 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Exhaust System — Regeneration Completed — This
message indicates that the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) self-cleaning is completed. If this message is
displayed, you will hear one chime to assist in alerting
you of this condition.
• Exhaust Service Required — See Dealer Now — This
messages indicates regeneration has been disabled due
to a system malfunction. At this point the engine
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will register a fault
code, the instrument panel will display a MIL light.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
• Exhaust Filter Full — Power Reduced See Dealer —
This message indicates the PCM has derated the
engine to limit the likelihood of permanent damage to the after-treatment system. If this condition is not
corrected and a dealer service is not performed, exten-
sive exhaust after-treatment damage can occur. To
correct this condition it will be necessary to have your
vehicle serviced by your local authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages
when the DEF level reaches a driving range of approxi-
mately 500 miles (800 km). If the following warning
message sequence is ignored, your vehicle may not
restart unless DEF is added with in the displayed mileage
shown in the Cluster message.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 63

•Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low Refill
Soon — This message will display when DEF driving
range is less than 500 miles, DEF fluid top off is
required with in the displayed mileage. The message
will be displayed in the cluster during vehicle start up
with the current allowed mileage and accompanied by
a single chime. The remaining mileage can be pulled
up anytime by way of the “Messages” list within the
DID
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF —
This message will display when DEF driving range is
less than 200 miles. It is also displayed at 150 miles and
100 miles. DEF fluid top off is required with in the
displayed mileage. The message will be displayed in
the DID 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 displayed while operating the
vehicle. Chimes will also accompany the 75, 50 and 25 mile remaining distances. The DEF Low telltale will be
on continuously until DEF fluid is topped off.
• Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF — This message
will display when the DEF driving range is less than 1
mile, DEF fluid top off is required or the engine will
not restart. The message will be displayed in the DID
during vehicle start up, and it will be accompanied by
a single chime. The DEF Low telltale will be illumi-
nated continuously until DEF fluid tank is filled with a
minimum of two gallons of DEF.
• Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF —
This message will continuously display if the “DEF
Low Refill Soon” message is ignored, and the fre-
quency of occurance of the chime will increase unless
up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
64 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System See Dealer — This message will
display when the fault is initially detected, each time
the vehicle is started, and periodically during driving.
The message will be accompanied by a single chime.
We recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
• 5 MPH Max Speed in 150 mi Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if the DEF system
has not been serviced after the “Service DEF System –
See Dealer” message is displayed. This message will
continuously display until the mileage counter reaches
zero, and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
The message will continue to countdown until it reaches zero unless the vehicle is serviced. We recom-
mend you drive to your nearest authorized dealer and
have your vehicle serviced immediately.
NOTE: Under some circumstances this mileage counter
may start with a value of less than 150 miles (241 km). For
example, if recurring faults are detected in a time interval
of less than 40 hours, the counter may restart at the value
where it stopped when a previous fault was temporarily
remedied, or at a minimum of 50 miles (80 km).
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer — This message will continu-
ously display when the mileage counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
• 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.
66 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•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 emissions.
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 through
another 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
“MAX” mark and a “MIN” mark. The fluid level must be
kept within these two marks. Do not add fluid above the
full mark because leakage may occur at the cap.
With disc brakes, the fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a system check
should be conducted.
120 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintenance Chart — Diesel Fuel Up To B5 Biodiesel
Mileage or time passed (whichever comesfirst)
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
Additional Inspections
Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. XX X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and re-
place if necessary. XXX X X X X
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. If gear oil
leakage is suspected, check the fluid level. If us-
ing your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or
frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid. XXX X X X X
Inspect the brake linings, parking brake function. X X X X X X X
130 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Mileage or time passed (whichever comesfirst)
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. XX 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. XX 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