2016 Ram 2500 heat

NOTE:
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
in order to drive the vehicle.
• For further information, refer to your Owners Manual.
Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped
When remote start is activated, the heated steering
wheel, and driver heated seat features will automatically
turn on in cold weather. In warm weather, the driver
vented seat feature will automatically turn on when the
remote start is activated. These features will stay on
through the duration of remote start or until the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position. The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the EVIC/DID. For more informa-
tion on Remote Start Comfort System operation refer to
your Owners Manual.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The Cummins turbocharged diesel engine does not re-
quire a break-in period due to its construction. Normal
operation is allowed, providing the following recommen-
dations are followed:
•
Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged
periods.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 173

NOTE:
•The gauge may take up to five seconds to update after
adding a gallon or more of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
to the DEF tank. If you have a fault related to the DEF
system, the gauge may not update to the new level. See
your authorized dealer for service.
• The DEF gauge may also not immediately update after
a refill if the temperature of the DEF fluid is below 12F
(-11C). The DEF line heater will possibly warm up the
DEF fluid and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is possible
that the gauge may not reflect the new fill level for
several drives. •
Outside temperature can affect DEF consumption. In
cold conditions, 12° F (-11° C) and below, the DEF
gauge needle can stay on a fixed position and may not
move for extended periods of time. This is a normal
function of the system.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185

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

NOTE:
•The gauge may take up to five seconds to update after
adding a gallon or more of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
to the DEF tank. If you have a fault related to the DEF
system, the gauge may not update to the new level. See
your authorized dealer for service.
• The DEF gauge may also not immediately update after
a refill if the temperature of the DEF fluid is below 12F
(-11C). The DEF line heater will possibly warm up the
DEF fluid and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is possible
that the gauge may not reflect the new fill level for
several drives.
• Outside temperature can affect DEF consumption. In
cold conditions, 12° F (-11° C) and below, the DEF
gauge needle can stay on a fixed position and may not
move for extended periods of time. This is a normal
function of the system.WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
IMPORTANT: The warning / indicator light switches on
in the instrument panel together with a dedicated mes-
sage and/or acoustic signal when applicable. These
indications are indicative and precautionary and as such
must not be considered as exhaustive and/or alternative
to the information contained in the Owner Manual,
which you are advised to read carefully in all cases.
Always refer to the information in this chapter in the
event of a failure indication.
All active telltales will display first if applicable. The
system check menu may appear different based upon
equipment options and current vehicle status. Some
telltales are optional and may not appear.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189

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.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195

on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207

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

▫Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission ........................ .279
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .280
▫ Block Heater Usage ....................281
 DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE
(ENGINE BRAKING) ....................281
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .284
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............286
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .286
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .286
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .298
▫ Shifting ............................ .299▫
Downshifting ....................... .300
▫ Reverse Shifting ..................... .302
 AUXILIARY SWITCHES — IF EQUIPPED .....302
 POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY) ..................303
▫ Stationary Mode ..................... .304
▫ Mobile Mode ........................ .305
 ENGINE RUNAWAY ....................306
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................307
▫ Fuel Specifications ....................308
▫ Bio-Diesel Fuel Requirements .............309
 ADDING FUEL — 2500/3500 DIESEL
MODELS ........................... .312
 ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS . . .315
258 STARTING AND OPERATING