2016 Ram 3500 instrument cluster

Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid
The DEF gauge (located on the instrument cluster) will
display the level of DEF remaining in the tank. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster” and “Instrument Cluster Descrip-
tions” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
NOTE:Driving conditions (altitude, vehicle speed, load,
etc.) will effect the amount of DEF that is used in your
vehicle.
Another factor is that 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.
DEF Fill Procedure
NOTE: Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for the correct fluid type. 1. Remove cap from DEF tank (located on drivers side of
the vehicle or in fuel door).
DEF Filler Cap Chassis Cab Models
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Reinstall cap onto DEF tank.
Filling The Def Tank In Cold Climates
Since DEF will begin to freeze at 12°F (-11°C), your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic DEF heating
system. This allows the DEF injection system to operate
properly at temperatures below 12°F (-11°C). If your
vehicle is not in operation for an extended period of time
with temperatures below 12°F (-11°C), the DEF in the
tank may freeze. If the tank is overfilled and freezes, it
could be damaged. Therefore, do not overfill the DEF
tank.
The DEF tank on these vehicles is designed with a large
amount of full reserve. So the level sensor will indicate a
Full reading even before the tank is completely full. To
put it another way, there’s additional storage capacity in
the tank above the Full mark that’s not represented in the
gauge. You may not see any movement in the reading –
even after driving up to 2,000 miles in some cases.The difference this makes varies by vehicle. Heavy-duty
pickup trucks have a 5.7-gallon tank that will display a
Full reading when about 90 percent full. This means that
drivers can consume at least 10 percent of a truly full DEF
tank without seeing any visible change in the gauge
reading. Chassis cabs have a larger 9-gallon tank, and
will display a Full reading when about 75 percent full. So
drivers can consume 25 percent of a truly full DEF tank
without seeing any visible change in the gauge reading.
Extra care should be taken when filling with portable
containers to avoid overfilling. Note the level of the DEF
gauge in your instrument cluster. On pickup applica-
tions, you may safely add a maximum of 2 gallons of DEF
from portable containers when your DEF gauge is read-
ing ½ full. On Chassis Cab applications a maximum of
2 gallons may be added when the DEF gauge is reading
¾ full.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 257

Information Center, Vehicle...................25
Instrument Cluster .........................16
Intervention Regeneration Strategy ..............32
Keyless Enter-N-Go ........................65
Maintenance Procedures .....................91
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .120
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................13
Oil, Engine ...............................92
Capacity ..............................113
Change Interval .........................93
Dipstick ...............................92
Disposal ..............................94 Filter
.............................94,114
Filter Disposal ..........................94
Materials Added To ......................94
Recommendation ........................92
Viscosity ..............................93
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........105
Remote Starting System ......................12
Schedule, Maintenance .....................120
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..............114
Starting .................................63
Automatic Transmission ...................64
Engine Block Heater ...................66,73
Remote ...............................12
Starting Procedures .........................63
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) .............63
328 INDEX - RAM 1500

Fluid Level ChecksBrake ............................... .296
Manual Transmission ....................298
Transfer Case ......................... .298
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........309
Fuel .................................. .243
Adding ......................... .248 , 251
Diesel ....................... .243 , 251 , 309
Filter ............................... .280
Requirements ......................... .243
Specifications ......................... .244
Tank Capacity ......................... .308
Fueling ............................... .248
Gauges Voltmeter ............................ .208
Gear Ranges ............................ .223
Idle Up Feature .......................... .212Information Center, Vehicle
..................159
Instrument Cluster ....................... .150
Intervention Regeneration Strategy .............164
Jump Starting ........................... .262
Keyless Enter-N-Go ....................... .197
Maintenance Procedures ....................271
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .314
Manual Transmission ..................... .234
Fluid Level Check ...................... .298
Shift Speeds .......................... .236
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................141
Noise Control Maintenance .......................... .303
Tampering Prohibited ....................304
332 INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500