2016 Ram 3500 warning

The Driver Information Display (DID) display is located
in the center portion of the cluster and consists of eight
sections:
1. Main Screen — The inner ring of the display willilluminate in grey under normal conditions, yellow for
non critical warnings, red for critical warnings and
white for on demand information.
2. Audio Information and Submenu Information — Whenever there are submenus available, the position
within the submenus is shown here.
3. Selectable Information (Compass, Temp, Range to Empty, Trip A, Trip B, Average MPG, Trailer Trip
(distance only), Trailer Brake Gain).
4. Air Suspension Status – If Equipped
5. Transmission Gear Position Indicator (PRND)
6. Status Menu Icons 7. Telltales/Indicators
8. 4WD Status
9. Selectable Gauge (Trans Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Life,
Trailer Brake, Current MPG, Fuel Filter Life, Turbo
Boost, Exhaust Brake, Battery Voltage)
10. Main Menu Items (Digital Speedometer, Vehicle Info, Fuel Economy, Trip A, Trip B, Trailer Tow, Audio,
Stored Messages, Screen Setup, Vehicle Settings)
11. Selectable Gauge (Trans Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Life, Trailer Brake, Current MPG, Fuel Filter Life, Turbo
Boost, Exhaust Brake, Battery Voltage)
46 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

managed by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The
PCM manages engine combustion to allow the exhaust
system’s catalyst to trap and burn Particulate Matter
(PM) pollutants, with no input or interaction on your
part.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to additional
maintenance required on your vehicle or engine. Refer to
the following messages that may be displayed on your
DID: •
Perform Service — Your vehicle will require emissions
maintenance at a set interval. To help remind you
when this maintenance is due, the Cluster will display
“Perform Service”. When the “Perform Service” mes-
sage is displayed on the DID it is necessary to have the
emissions maintenance performed. Emissions mainte-
nance may include replacing the Closed Crankcase
Ventilation (CCV) filter element. The procedure for
clearing and resetting the Perform Serviceindicator
message is located in the appropriate Service Informa-
tion.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration Required Now —
Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds to Remedy will be displayed in the Cluster if
the exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of its maxi-
mum storage capacity. Under conditions of exclusive
short duration and low speed driving cycles, your
diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment system may
never reach the conditions required to remove the
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 49

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

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, both inside
and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to 30-second
intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the automatic
transmission into PARK and apply the parking
brake. Always make sure the keyless ignition node
is in the “OFF” mode, remove the Key Fob from the
vehicle and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 63

3. The system will automatically engage the starter tocrank the engine. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter
will disengage automatically after 25 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push the button again.
5. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
6. Release the parking brake.
Extreme Cold Weather
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in
the water jacket of the engine. It requires a 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 overnight or longer periods and should be plugged in two hours prior to
start. Its use is required for cold starts with temperatures
under -20°F (-28°C).
NOTE: The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized MOPAR
dealer.
•
A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids in
preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
• A Diesel Pre-Heat system both improves engine start-
ing and reduces the amount of white smoke generated
by a warming engine.
66 STARTING AND OPERATING

Starting Fluids
The engine is equipped with a glow plug preheating
system. If the instructions in this manual are followed,
the engine should start in all conditions and no type of
starting fluid should be used.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the “OFF” mode, re-
move the key fob from the vehicle and lock the
vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 67

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