2016 Ram 2500 coolant

1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Engine Coolant Temperature •This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
The gauge pointer will likely show higher tempera-
tures when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or in heavy stop and go traffic. If the red
Warning Light turns on while driving, safely bring
the vehicle to a stop, and turn off the engine. DO
NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
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
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
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.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187

Engine Temperature Warning Light
Red WarningLight What It Means
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As engine coolant temperatures rise and
the gauge approaches
H,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 temperature
reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for service. Refer to
“If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195

Rear Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Rear Fog Light Indicator
This indicator will illuminate when the rear fog lights are on.
Low Coolant Level Indicator Light
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
Low Coolant Level Indicator Light
This telltale will turn on to indicate the vehicle coolant level is low.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 211

•Exhaust Filter Full – Power Reduced See Dealer — If
Equipped
• Exhaust Service Required – See Dealer Now — If
Equipped
• Exhaust System – Filter XX% Full Service Required See
Dealer — If Equipped
• Exhaust System – Regeneration In Process Exhaust
Filter XX% Full — If Equipped
• Exhaust System – Regeneration Completed — If
Equipped
• DEF Low Refill Soon
• Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Refill DEF
• 5 MPH Max Speed Refill DEF •
Service DEF System See Dealer
• 5 MPH Max Speed in XXX mi Service DEF System See
Dealer
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer
• Coolant Low
• Engine Power Reduced During Warmup
• Engine Power Reduced up to 30-sec During Warmup
• Engine Power Reduced up to 2-min During Warmup
• Active Airbox Service Required See Dealer
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 229

NOTE:The battery voltage may show a fluctuation at
various engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold
heater system. The number of cycles and the length of the
cycling operation is controlled by the engine control
module. Post-heat operation can run for several minutes,
and then the electrical system and voltmeter needle will
stabilize.
• Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
• Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
• Trans Temperature
Displays the actual automatic transmission sump tem-
perature. •
Engine Hours
Displays the total hours of engine operation, and the
hours in drive and at idle.
• Oil Life
Displays the percentage of oil filter life remaining, and
the miles since the last reset.
• Fuel Filter Life
Displays the percentage of fuel filter life remaining, and
the miles since the last reset.
NOTE: Refer to Fuel Filter Life Reset in this section for
further information.
• Exhaust Brake
Displays the actual exhaust brake power.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 231

•Turbo Boost
Displays the actual turbo boost value.
• Tire Pressure Monitor System
Displays the actual tire pressure.
• Gauge Summary
Displays the coolant, trans, oil temp and oil pressure.
• Oil Temp
Displays the actual oil temperature.
Diesel Indicator Lights
Water In Fuel Indicator Light The “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illu-
minate when there is water detected in the fuel
filters. If this light remains on, DO NOT start
the vehicle before you drain the water from the fuel filters to prevent engine damage. Refer to “Mainte-
nance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Separator Fil-
ters” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
Wait To Start Light
The “Wait To Start Light” will illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the RUN position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66°F (19°C). Wait
until the “Wait To Start Light” turns OFF, then start the
vehicle. Refer to “Starting Procedures” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
NOTE: The “Wait To Start Light” may not illuminate if
the intake manifold temperature is warm enough.
Low Coolant Level Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the vehicle
coolant level is low.
232 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Cold Ambient Derate Mode Messages
The vehicle will display messages when a derate (engine
power reduction) is activated to protect the turbocharger
during engine start up in cold ambient temperatures.
•Engine Power Reduced During Warmup — This
message will display during start up when the ambi-
ent temperature is between 10° F (-12° C) and -10° F
(-23° C).
• Engine Power Reduced Up To 30 Sec (Seconds)
During Warmup — This message will display during
start up when the ambient temperature is between
-10° F (-23° C) and -25 F (-32° C).
• Engine Power Reduced Up To 2 Min (Minutes)
During Warmup — This message will display during
start up when the ambient temperature is -25° F
(-32° C) and below. •
Coolant Low — This telltale will turn on to indicate
the vehicle coolant level is low. See “Adding Coolant”
under the section “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for more
information.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Messages
The Cummins diesel engine meets all diesel emissions
standards, resulting in one of the lowest emitting diesel
engines ever produced. To achieve these emissions stan-
dards, your vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art
engine and exhaust system. These systems are seamlessly
integrated into your vehicle and managed by the Pow-
ertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM manages en-
gine combustion to allow the exhaust system’s catalyst to
trap and burn Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants, with no
input or interaction on your part.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 233

NOTE:The “Wait To Start” telltale may not illuminate if
the intake manifold temperature is warm enough.
Low Diesel Exhaust Fluid Light
This telltale will turn on to indicate the Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is low.
Cold Ambient Derate Mode Messages
The vehicle will display messages when a derate (engine
power reduction) is activated to protect the turbocharger
during engine start up in cold ambient temperatures.
•Engine Power Reduced During Warmup — This
message will display during start up when the ambi-
ent temperature is between 10° F (-12° C) and -10° F
(-23° C). •
Engine Power Reduced Up To 30 Sec (Seconds)
During Warmup — This message will display during
start up when the ambient temperature is between
-10° F (-23° C) and -25 F (-32° C).
• Engine Power Reduced Up To 2 Min (Minutes)
During Warmup — This message will display during
start up when the ambient temperature is -25° F
(-32° C) and below.
• Coolant Low — This telltale will turn on to indicate
the vehicle coolant level is low. See “Adding Coolant”
under the section “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for more
information.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245