2016 Ram 2500 service

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
• Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealership or qualified
repair center.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified
fluid for the flushing procedure.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 335

Engine Oil Filter
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information. The
engine oil filter should be changed at every engine oil
change.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
station or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
CAUTION!
All air entering the engine intake must be filtered.
The abrasive particles in unfiltered air will cause
rapid wear to engine components.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.)
provides a measure of protection. Do not remove the
air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless
such removal is necessary for repair or maintenance.
Make sure that no one is near the engine compart-
ment before starting the vehicle with the air induc-
tion system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure
to do so can result in serious personal injury.
340 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

The condition of the air cleaner filter is monitored by the
Engine Control Module. The “SERVICE AIR FILTER”
message will display in the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)
when service is required. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information.
The “SERVICE AIR FILTER” message could be displayed
periodically. This is because engine air flow requirements
change based on driving conditions. As the filter becomes
more restrictive and air flow requirements increase the
“SERVICE AIR FILTER” message will be displayed. The
message may not be displayed in subsequent drive cycles
if the same conditions are not met. The air filter element
should be replaced within 250 miles (402 km) from the
first time this message is displayed to ensure proper
engine operation during all driving conditions.CAUTION!
Driving with a restricted air filter can cause engine
damage. Driving in dusty environments for extended
periods will lead to rapid air filter plugging. Action
should be taken as soon as the “SERVICE AIR
FILTER” message is displayed.
If the vehicle experiences a sudden loss of engine power
while being driven in heavy snow or rain, or when
plowing snow, and/or the “SERVICE AIR FILTER” mes-
sage is displayed on the EVIC/DID along with a chime
that repeats every 60 seconds, visually inspect the air
filter for snow/ice build up or extreme water saturation.
If the air filter is not damaged, remove all snow/ice and
reinstall air filter. If the air filter is damaged, replace filter
element.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 341

NOTE:The air filter housing contains a Mass Air Flow
sensor. This sensor is critical to proper engine operation
and component longevity. Any damage or modification
to this sensor could result in major engine and/or
exhaust aftertreatment damage. We recommend you use
MOPAR brand parts.
Even though your vehicle is equipped with an Air Filter
Monitor, a visual inspection of the air cleaner filter
element is recommended every 15,000 miles (24,000km)
or 12 months – whichever occurs first. Under no circum-
stances should the air cleaner filter element exceed
30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months, whichever comes
first.CAUTION!
Many aftermarket performance air filter elements do
not adequately filter the air entering the engine. Use
of such filters can severely damage your engine.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are recom-
mended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Inspection and
Replacement
Inspect engine air cleaner filter for dirt and or debris, if
you find evidence of either dirt or debris you should
change your air cleaner filter.
342 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

second filter location is on the frame behind the front
axle. The best access to this water drain valve is from
under the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Do not drain the fuel/water separator filters when
the engine is running.
• Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filters into an appropriate container.
If water is detected in the water separator while the
engine is running, or while the ignition switch is in the
ON position, the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will
illuminate and an audible chime will be heard five times.
At this point you should stop the engine and drain the
water from both of the filters.
CAUTION!
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage.
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” comes on and a
single chime is heard while you are driving, or with the
ignition switch in the ON position, there may be a
problem with your water separator wiring or sensor. See
your authorized dealer for service.
Upon proper draining of the water from both fuel filters,
the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will remain illumi-
nated for approximately 10 seconds. If the water was
drained while the engine was running, the “Water In Fuel
Indicator Light” may remain on for approximately three
minutes.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 345

NOTE:Care should be taken in disposing of used fluids
from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately dis-
carded, can present a problem to the environment. Con-
tact an authorized dealer, service station, or government
agency for advice on recycling programs and for where
used fluids and filters can be properly disposed of in
your area.
Drain the fuel/water separator filters when the “Water In
Fuel Indicator Light” is ON. Within 10 minutes of vehicle
shutdown, turn the engine mounted filter drain valve
(located on the side of the filter assembly) counterclock-
wise 1/4 turn, and turn the under body mounted filter
drain valve (located on the bottom of the filter assembly)
counterclock wise 1 full turn. Then turn the ignition
switch to the ON position, and allow any accumulated
water to drain. Leave the drain valve open until all water
and contaminants have been removed. When clean fuel is
visible, close the drain valves by turning them fully
clockwise, and turn the ignition switch to OFF. If more than a couple ounces/milliliters of fuel have been
drained, follow the directions for “Priming If The Engine
Has Run Out Of Fuel.”
Engine Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement
NOTE:
•
Using a fuel filter that does not meet the manufactur-
er’s filtration and water separating requirements can
severely impact fuel system life and reliability.
• The engine mounted filter housing is equipped with a
No-Filter-No-Run (NFNR) feature. Engine will not run
if:
1. No filter is installed.
2. Inferior/Non-approved filter is used. Use of OEM filter is required to ensure vehicle will run.
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Remove lid using a socket or strap wrench. Rotatecounterclockwise for removal. Remove used o-ring
and discard it.
6. Remove the used filter cartridge from the housing and dispose of according to your local regulations.
7. Wipe clean the sealing surfaces of the lid and housing.
8. Install new o-ring back into ring groove on the filter housing and lubricate with clean engine oil.
NOTE: WIF sensor is re-usable. Service kit comes with
new o-ring for filter canister and WIF sensor.Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel
WARNING!
Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death.
1. Add a substantial amount of fuel to the tank, approxi- mately 2 to 5 gal (8L to 19L).
2. Turn ignition switch to the start position to engage starter for one second, return ignition switch to run
position. This will activate in tank fuel pump for
approximately 15 seconds. Repeat this process twice.
3. Start the engine using the “Normal Starting” proce- dure. Refer to “Starting Procedures” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
350 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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 emis-
sions.
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler
The charge air cooler is positioned below 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. The air
entering the engine has been cooled by about 50° to 100°F
(10° to 38°C). 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.
360 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE