2016 Ram 3500 service

corrected and a dealer service is not performed, exten-
sive exhaust after-treatment damage can occur. To
correct this condition it will be necessary to have your
vehicle serviced by your local authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages
when the DEF level reaches a driving range of approxi-
mately 500 miles (800 km). If the following warning
message sequence is ignored, your vehicle may not
restart unless DEF is added with in the displayed mileage
shown in the Cluster message.•
Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low Refill
Soon — This message will display when DEF driving
range is less than 500 miles, DEF fluid top off is
required with in the displayed mileage. The message
will be displayed in the cluster during vehicle start up
with the current allowed mileage and accompanied by
a single chime. The remaining mileage can be pulled
up anytime by way of the “Messages” list within the
EVIC/DID
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF —
This message will display when DEF driving range is
less than 200 miles. It is also displayed at 150 miles and
100 miles. DEF fluid top off is required with in the
displayed mileage. The message will be displayed in
the EVIC/DID during vehicle start up with an up-
dated distance mileage, and it will be accompanied by
a single chime. Starting at 100 miles, remaining range
will be continuously displayed while operating the
vehicle. Chimes will also accompany the 75, 50 and 25
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 51

mile remaining distances. The DEF Low telltale will be
on continuously until DEF fluid is topped off.
• Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF — This message
will display when the DEF driving range is less than 1
mile, DEF fluid top off is required or the engine will
not restart. The message will be displayed in the
EVIC/DID during vehicle start up, and it will be
accompanied by a single chime. The DEF Low telltale
will be illuminated continuously until DEF fluid tank
is filled with a minimum of two gallons of DEF.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages
There are different messages which are displayed if the
vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled with
a fluid other than DEF, has experienced component
failures, or when tampering has been detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display: •
Service DEF System See Dealer — This message will
display when the fault is initially detected and each
time the vehicle is started. The message will be accom-
panied by a single chime and the Malfunction Indica-
tor Light. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced
immediately. If not corrected in 50 miles, vehicle will
enter the “Engine Will not restart in XXXmi Service
DEF See dealer” warning stage and message.
• Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer — This message
will display if the DEF system has detected the incor-
rect fluid has been introduced to the DEF tank. The
message will be accompanied by a single chime. We
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced immediately. If
not corrected in 30 miles, vehicle will enter the Engine
Will not restart in XXX mi Service DEF See dealer
warning stage and message.
52 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Engine Will Not Restart in XXX mi Service DEF See
Dealer — This message is first displayed if the fault
detected is not serviced after 50 miles of operation. It is
also displayed at 150 miles 125 miles and 100 miles.
System service is required within the displayed mile-
age. The message will be displayed during vehicle
start up with an updated distance mileage, and it will
be accompanied by a single chime. Starting at 100
miles, remaining range will be continuously displayed
while operating the vehicle. Chimes will also accom-
pany the 75, 50 and 25 mile remaining distances. We
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced immediately.
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if DEF system
issue detected is not serviced during the allowed
period. Your engine will not restart unless your vehicle
is serviced by your authorized dealer. This message
will be displayed when under 1 mile until engine will not start and each time the vehicle is started, and will
be continuously displayed. The message will be ac-
companied by a single chime. Your Malfunction Indi-
cator Light will be continuously illumined. We highly
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer if the message appears while engine is running.
• Engine Will Not Start Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display when the fault
detected is not serviced after the Engine will not restart
Service DEF System See Dealer message is displayed
on the next subsequent restart. Your engine will not
start unless your vehicle is serviced by your autho-
rized dealer. The message will be accompanied by a
single chime. Your Malfunction Indicator Light will be
continuously illuminated. If the message appears and
you can not start the engine, we recommend you have
your vehicle towed to your nearest authorized dealer
immediately.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 53

DID Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the DID displays
the following messages:
•System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle Not in Park
• System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle in Motion
• Exhaust Filter Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds To
Remedy
• Exhaust Filter XX% Full – Power Reduced See Dealer
• Exhaust Service Required – See Dealer Now
• Exhaust System – Filter XX% Full Service Required See
Dealer
• Exhaust System – Regeneration In Process Exhaust
Filter XX% Full •
Exhaust System – Regeneration Completed
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low Refill
Soon
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF
• Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF
• Service DEF System See Dealer
• Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXX mi Service DEF See
Dealer
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer
54 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
If the low oil pressure warning light turns on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut down the engine as
soon as possible. A chime will sound when the light turns
on.
NOTE:Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is
corrected. This light does not show how much oil is in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood.
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal readings, shut
the engine off immediately. Failure to do so could
result in immediate and severe engine damage.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
All engine failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:
• Engine misfiring or vibrating severely.
• Sudden loss of power.
• Unusual engine noises.
• Fuel, oil or coolant leaks.
• Sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature.
• Excessive smoke.
• Oil pressure drop.
72 STARTING AND OPERATING

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
Its use is recommended for environments that routinely
fall below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when the
vehicle has not been running for long periods of time and
should be plugged in two hours prior to start. Its use is
required for cold starts with temperatures under -20°F
(-28°C).
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110–115 Volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
NOTE: The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in
your vehicle. Federal law requires that you must fuel this
vehicle with Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (15
ppm Sulfur maximum) and prohibits the use of Low
Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (500 ppm Sulfur maximum)
to avoid damage to the emissions control system.
For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting
ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for
Testing and Materials) specification D-975 Grade S15 will
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STARTING AND OPERATING 73

NOTE:
•If you accidentally fill the fuel tank with gasoline on
your diesel vehicle, do not start the engine. Damage to
the engine and fuel system could occur. Please call
your authorized dealer for service.
• A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-975 may be used with your diesel
engine without any adjustments to regular service
schedules.
• Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your diesel engine.
• No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.Biodiesel Fuel Requirements
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM speci-
fication D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with Biodiesel blends that
are between 6% and 20% (B6–B20) is desired, the main-
tenance schedule is subject to shorter intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replace-
ment is subject to shorter intervals when operating your
engine on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel
greater than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20) it is important that you understand and comply
with these requirements. Refer to the “Maintenance
Chart” in the “Maintenance Schedules” section for fur-
ther direction.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 75

2. Insert DEF fill adapter/nozzle into DEF tank fillerneck. NOTE:
•
The DEF 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.
DEF Filler Cap And Fuel Fill 1500/2500/3500 Models
1 — Diesel Exhaust Fluid Fill Location
2 — Fuel Fill Location
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STARTING AND OPERATING 85