2016 Ram 3500 engine coolant

•Fuel meets minimum requirement
• System not disabled from previous remote start event
• Vehicle security alarm not active
• Water In Fuel Indicator Light is not illuminated
• “Wait To Start” telltale is not illuminated
WARNING!
•Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or
confined area. Exhaust gas contains Carbon Mon-
oxide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon
Monoxide is poisonous and can cause serious in-
jury or death when inhaled.
• Keep Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters
away from children. Operation of the Remote Start
System, windows, door locks or other controls
could cause serious injury or death.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The diesel engine does not require a break-in period due
to its construction. Normal operation is allowed, provid-
ing the following recommendations are followed:
• Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged
periods.
• Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent
engine lugging.
• Observe vehicle oil pressure and temperature indica-
tors.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

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 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.
20 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•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

•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission sump temperature.
• Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
• Tire Pressure Monitor System
Displays the actual tire pressure.
• Engine Hours
Displays the actual engine hours.
Gauge Summary (Coolant Temp, Trans Temp, Oil Temp,
Oil Pressure) •UP Arrow Button
Push and release the UParrow button to scroll
upward through the main menu and sub-
menus (Fuel Economy, Trip A, Trip B, Audio,
Stored Messages, Screen Set Up).
EVIC Controls
40 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

mounted on the steering wheel. Refer to “Driver Infor-
mation Display– If Equipped” in the Owner’s Manual for
further information.
Vehicle Information (Customer Information
Features)
Vehicle Information Submenus
•Battery Voltage
Displays the actual battery voltage.
• Fuel Filter Life
Displays the life of the fuel filter.
• Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
• Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature. •
Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission sump temperature.
• Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
• Tire Pressure Monitor System
Displays the actual tire pressure.
• Engine Hours
Displays the actual engine hours.
Gauge Summary (Coolant Temp, Trans Temp, Oil Temp,
Oil Pressure)
42 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

cycling frequently, increase the size of the opening in the
winter front. A suitable cold weather cover is available
from your MOPAR dealer.
Engine Warm-Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine is cold.
When starting a cold engine, bring the engine up to
operating speed slowly to allow the oil pressure to
stabilize as the engine warms up.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for five minutes before full loads are
applied.
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chambertemperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn
completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings, cylinder head valves,
and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter
the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to
the engine.
Stopping The Engine
After full load operation, idle the engine for a few
minutes before shutting it down. This idle period will
allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the turbocharger.
NOTE:
Refer to the following chart for proper engine
shutdown.
70 STARTING AND OPERATING

Driving ConditionLoadTurbocharger
Temperature Idle Time (min.) Before
Engine Shutdown
Stop and Go EmptyCoolNone
Stop and Go Medium 0.5
Highway Speeds MediumWarm 1.0
City Traffic Maximum GCWR 1.5
Highway Speeds Maximum GCWR 2.0
Uphill Grade Maximum GCWR Hot2.5
NOTE: Under certain conditions the engine fan will run
after the engine is turned off. These conditions are under
high load and high temperature conditions.
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission
To reduce the potential for engine and transmission
overheating in high ambient temperature conditions,
take the following actions: •
City Driving — When stopped, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
• Highway Driving — Reduce your speed.
• Up Steep Hills — Select a lower transmission gear.
• Air Conditioning — Turn it off temporarily.
NOTE: If the coolant temperature is too high the A/C
will automatically turn off.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 71

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