2015 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab overheating

completely and position it as low as road or surface
conditions permit. Do not exceed 40 mph (64 km/h). The
operator should always maintain a safe stopping distance
and allow adequate passing clearance.
Operating Tips
Under ideal snow plowing conditions, 20 mph (32 km/h)
should be maximum operating speed. The operator
should be familiar with the area and surface to be
cleaned. Reduce speed and use extreme caution when
plowing unfamiliar areas or under poor visibility.
General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery
terminals clean and free of corrosion.When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drive-
train damage, the following precautions should be ob-
served.
•
Operate with transfer case in 4L when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to
exceed 15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in
4H.
• Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4L
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting
the transmission.
450 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
upper switch bank just below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
460 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd gear
and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while gently
pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accel-
erator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the en-
gine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 477

CAUTION!(Continued)
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of clutch or transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Press the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the ESC
Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
478 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions control
device and may seriously reduce engine perfor-
mance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
512 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Overheating.......................... .460
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .495
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............70
Entry System, Illuminated ....................22
Ethanol ............................... .422
Event Data Recorder ........................74
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................... .109
Exhaust System .......................... .109
Exterior Lighting ......................... .151
Exterior Lights ...........................112
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .496
Engine Fuel .......................... .555
Engine Oil ........................... .496
Engine Oil Disposal .....................496
Flashers Turn Signal ............................112
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ .472Flooded Engine Starting
....................331
Fluid, Brake ............................ .558
Fluid Capacities ......................... .554
Fluid Leaks .............................112
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................526
Brake ............................... .521
Power Steering ........................ .366
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........555
Fog Lights ............................. .155
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................460
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .351
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................477
Front Axle (Differential) .....................523
Fuel .................................. .421
Adding ............................. .426
Additives ............................ .424
Clean Air ............................ .422
Ethanol ............................. .422
10
INDEX 583

Heated.............................. .128
Memory ............................. .143
Outside ............................. .125
Rearview .............................117
Trailer Towing ........................ .129
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................411
MOPAR® Parts .......................... .491
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .422
Multi-Function Control Lever .................160
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................106
Occupant Restraints ........................47
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................421
Oil, Engine ............................. .493
Capacity ............................ .554
Change Interval ....................... .494
Dipstick ............................. .493Disposal
............................. .496
Filter ............................... .496
Filter Disposal ........................ .496
Identification Logo ..................... .494
Recommendation ...................... .494
Synthetic ............................ .496
Viscosity ............................ .495
Onboard Diagnostic System ..................489
Operating Precautions ..................... .489
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) .............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ...................125
Overdrive .............................. .345
Overdrive OFF Switch ..................... .345
Overhead Console ........................ .174
Overheating, Engine ...................... .460
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .............4
Paint Care ............................. .528
Panic Alarm ..............................26
588 INDEX