2016 Ram 3500 transmission fluid

•Electronic Speed Control SET
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is SET. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
• ERS Gear Limit
The highest available transmission gear is displayed in
the lower right corner of the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) whenever the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) feature is active. Use the +/- selector on the shift
lever or steering wheel to activate ERS. Refer to “Auto-
matic Transmission” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
5. EVIC Amber Telltales
• Low Fuel Telltale
When the fuel level reaches approximately 3.0 gal
(11.0 L) this light will turn on, and remain on until
fuel is added. •
Windshield Washer Fluid Low Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the wind-
shield washer fluid is low.
• Low Coolant Level Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the vehicle
coolant level is low.
• Transmission Temperature Warning Telltale
This telltale indicates that the transmission fluid
temperature is running hot. This may occur with
severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this telltale
turns on, safely pull over and stop the vehicle.
Then, shift the transmission into PARK and run the engine at
idle or faster until the light turns off.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 27

CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illumi-
nated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in
contact with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.
• Air Suspension Payload Protection Telltale — If
Equipped This telltale will turn on to indicate that the
maximum payload may have been exceeded or
load leveling cannot be achieved at its current
ride height. Protection Mode will automatically be selected in
order to “protect” the air suspension system, air
suspension adjustment is limited due to payload.
• Water In Fuel Indicator Light — Diesel Only
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
information.
• Wait To Start Light
The “Wait To Start” telltale will illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds when the ignition is turned
to the RUN position. It’s duration may be longer based on
colder operating conditions. Vehicle will not initiate start
until telltale is out. Refer to “Starting Procedures” in “Start-
ing And Operating” for further information.
28 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................63
▫ Normal Starting .......................64
▫ Automatic Transmission .................64
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go ....................65
▫ Extreme Cold Weather ...................66
▫ Starting Fluids ........................67
 NORMAL OPERATION ...................68
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ................68
▫ Engine Idling .........................70
▫ Stopping The Engine ....................70 ▫
Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission ..........................71
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED ....73
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................73
▫ Fuel Specifications .....................74
▫ Biodiesel Fuel Requirements ...............75
 DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID .................78
▫ System Overview ......................79
 ADDING FUEL — 1500 DIESEL MODELS ......80
▫ Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ............83
4

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.
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 91

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission Only use MOPAR ZF 8&9 Speed ATF Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent. Failure to use the correct
fluid may affect the function or performance of your
transmission.
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR BW44–44 Transfer
Case Fluid.
Front Axle – 1500 Four-Wheel Drive Models We recommend you use MOPAR GL-5 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant SAE 75W-85.
Rear Axle We recommend you use MOPAR Synthetic Gear Lubri-
cant SAE 75W-140 (MS-8985). Limited-Slip Rear Axles
require the addition of 5 oz. (148 ml) MOPAR Limited
Slip Additive (MS-10111).
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid,
SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
118 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................196
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......196
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....197
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped ........197
▫ Extreme Cold Weather ..................202
▫ Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66° F (19° C) ........202
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C) .....204
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C) ............206▫
Starting Fluids ....................... .207
 NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE . . .208
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ................209
▫ Engine Idling ....................... .212
▫ Stopping The Engine ...................213
▫ Idle Shutdown ....................... .214
▫ Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed (Chassis
Cab Only) .......................... .214
▫ Operating Precautions ..................215
5

During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). On Pickup models with 68RFE
transmission, top overdrive gear is also inhibited until
the transmission fluid is warm, and during extremely
cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation
may briefly be limited to first and direct gears only. On
trucks with AS69RC transmission, fifth and sixth gears
may be inhibited briefly on cold starts below 41°F (5°C),
and during very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or
below), operation may briefly be limited to third gear
only. During this condition, the ability of the vehicle toaccelerate under heavily loaded conditions may be re-
duced. In all cases, normal operation will resume once
the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth gear (for 68RFE transmission) or third gear (for
AS69RC transmission) regardless of which forward gear
is selected. If an AS69RC-equipped truck enters Limp
Home Mode at highway speeds, it will initially engage
fifth gear, until the vehicle slows to a speed where third
gear can be engaged. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL
will continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) may be illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to an authorized dealer for service
without damaging the transmission.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 229

CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth and sixth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
•The shift lever is in the DRIVE position.
• The transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature.
• The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture. •
The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
• The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
press the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/HAUL
mode. This will improve performance and reduce the po-
tential for transmission overheating or failure due to exces-
sive shifting. When operating in TOW/HAUL mode, trans-
mission upshifts are delayed, and the transmission will
automatically downshift (for engine braking) when the
throttle is closed and/or during steady braking maneuvers.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING