2016 Ram 1500 coolant

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 121

1. Tachometer
•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Display
•When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
3. Speedometer
•Indicates vehicle speed.4. Fuel Gauge
•The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
5. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
•The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be
allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.
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CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately
and call an authorized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 293

7. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
•The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be
allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately
and call an authorized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
296 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Engine Temperature Warning Light
Red Warning
LightWhat It Means
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As engine coolant temperatures rise and
the gauge approachesH,this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound after
reaching a set threshold.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system
is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the tem-
perature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for ser-
vice. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further infor-
mation.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 303

Rear Fog Light Indicator
Yellow Telltale
LightWhat It Means
Rear Fog Light Indicator
This indicator will illuminate when the rear fog lights are on.
Low Coolant Level Indicator Light
Yellow Telltale
LightWhat It Means
Low Coolant Level Indicator Light
This telltale will turn on to indicate the vehicle coolant level is low.
320 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Speedometer Menu Item
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button until
the speedometer menu item is highlighted in the EVIC.
Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to cycle the
display between MPH and km/h.
Vehicle Info Menu Item
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button(s) until
the Vehicle Info menu item is highlighted in the EVIC.
Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to enter the
submenus items of Vehicle Info. follow the directional
prompts to access or reset any of the following Vehicle
Info submenu items:
•Tire Pressure
•Coolant Temp
•Transmission Temp (Automatic only)
•Oil Temp•Oil Pressure
•Oil Life
•Battery Voltage
•Gauge Summary
•Engine HoursFuel Economy Menu Item
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button until
the Fuel Economy menu item is highlighted. Push and
Hold theRIGHTarrow button to reset Average Fuel
Economy.
•Current Fuel Economy Gauge
•Average Fuel Economy value
•Range to Empty
340 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Info. follow the directional prompts to access or reset any
of the following Vehicle Info submenu items:
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (1500 & 2500 Series)
A vehicle ICON is displayed with tire pressure values in
each corner of the ICON.
•Tire Pressure:
– Tire Pressure Information System (3500 Series
Heavy Duty Ram Trucks)
– A vehicle ICON is displayed with the tire pressure
values in each corner of the ICON.
– If the Tire Pressure system requires service, “Service
Tire Pressure System” is displayed.
– Tire Pressure is an information only function and
cannot be reset.
– Refer to theTire Pressure Information System
(TPIS)” underStarting and Operatingfor further
information.•Transmission Temperature – Automatic Transmission
Only
•Oil Temperature
•Oil Life
•Battery Voltage — If Equipped
•Gauge Summary:
– Coolant Temperature
– Transmission Temperature (automatic only)
– Oil Temperature
– Oil Pressure
•Engine Hours
366 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL