2016 Ram 1500 oil temperature

•Operating the exhaust brake at idle will greatly im-
prove warm up rate and will help keep the engine
close to operating temperature during extended idle.
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber
temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn
completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings, engine valves, and
injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the
crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
If the engine is allowed to idle, under some conditions
the idle speed may increase to 900 RPM then return to
normal idle speed. This is normal operation. NOTE:
For EVIC/DID messages related to the vehicle’s
exhaust system, refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Display (DID)”
for further information.Idle-Up Feature — Automatic Transmission Only
The driver-controlled high idle speed feature will help
increase cylinder temperatures and provide additional
cab heat, however, excessive idling may still cause the
exhaust aftertreatment system to not properly regenerate.
Extended periods of idle time should be avoided.
The Idle-Up feature uses the speed control switches to
increase engine idle speed and quickly warm the vehi-
cle’s interior.
1. With the transmission in PARK, the parking brake applied, and the engine running, push the speed
control switch to the ON position, then push the SET
switch.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

Operating Precautions
Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the engine coolant (antifreeze) (a
mixture of 50% ethylene-glycol and 50% water) must not
exceed the normal range of the temperature gauge 240°F
(116°C) with a 21 psi (145 kPa) coolant pressure cap.
Usually the engine coolant (antifreeze) temperature indi-
cated during operation will be to the left of center in the
normal range of the gauge.
Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low engine coolant (antifreeze)
temperature below the normal range on the gauge 140°F
(60°C) can be harmful to the engine. Low engine coolant
(antifreeze) temperature can cause incomplete combus-
tion which allows carbon and varnish to form on pistonrings and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can
enter the crankcase, diluting the lubricating oil and
causing rapid wear to the engine.
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 215

Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the
minimum oil pressures required are:
Idle 700 to 800 RPM 10 psi (69 kPa)
Full speed and load 30 psi (207 kPa)
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.
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.
216 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fuel Water Separation — Must Use MOPAR/
Cummins Approved Fuel Filter Elements
You must use MOPAR/Cummins approved fuel filter
elements in both your engine mounted filter and frame
mounted filter.
Biodiesel fuel has a natural affinity to water and water
accelerates microbial growth. Your MOPAR/Cummins
filtration system is designed to provide adequate fuel
water separation capabilities.
Bio-Diesel Fuel Properties — Low Ambient
Temperatures
Biodiesel fuel may gel or solidify at low ambient tem-
peratures, which may pose problems for both storage and
operation. Precautions can be necessary at low ambient
temperatures, such as storing the fuel in a heated build-
ing or a heated storage tank, or using cold temperature
additives.
Fuel In Oil Dilution — Must Adhere To Required
Oil Change Interval
Fuel dilution of lubricating oil has been observed with
the use of Biodiesel fuel. Fuel in oil must not exceed 5%.
To ensure this limit is met your oil change interval must
be maintained to the following schedule:
•Ram PickUp 2500/3500 Only — 15,000 Miles*
• Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab — 12,500 Miles*
(*unless otherwise notified with a oil service message)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 247

system damage. A maximum sulfated ash content of 1.00
mass % is recommended for all oil used in the engine.
The same oil change interval is to be followed for
synthetic oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, synthetic oil
must meet the same performance specifications as petro-
leum oil.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C), we recom-
mend you use SAE 15W-40 engine oil such as MOPAR,
Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material
Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category
is required. Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may
also be used. The identification of these engine oils is
typically located on the back of the oil container.
In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), SAE 5W-40
we recommend you usesyntheticengine oil such as
MOPAR, Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA
Material Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil
category is required.
274 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Failure to use SAE 5W-40 synthetic engine oil in
ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) could result
in severe engine damage.Engine oil not designated by the FCA or Cummins
Material Standards and API CJ-4 should not be used, as
engine and exhaust system durability may be compro-
mised. The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your engine. For infor-
mation on engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine
Compartment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils if the recommended oil
quality requirements are met and the recommended
maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 275

5. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until seated. 7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the “HOT” (upper) reference holes
on the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube
to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill.Use
ONLY the specified fluid (see Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for fluid specifications). After adding
any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait a
minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 301

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C), we recommend you use 15W-40 engine oil such
as MOPAR, Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material Standard MS-10902 and
the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required. Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may
also be used. The identification of these engine oils is typically located on the back of the
oil container.
In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), we recommend you use 5W-40 synthetic
engine oil such as MOPAR, Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material
Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Engine Oil Filter We recommend you use MOPAR Engine Oil Filters.
Fuel Filters We recommend you use MOPAR Fuel Filter. Must meet 3 micron rating. Using a fuel filter
that does not meet the manufacturers filtration and water separating requirements can
severely impact fuel system life and reliability.
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