2016 Ram 3500 check engine light

When towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at low
speeds (20 mph [32 km/h] or below), holding your
vehicle in first gear (using the ERS shift control) can help
to avoid transmission overheating.
If you regularly tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes of
continuous operation, then change the automatic trans-
mission fluid and filter(s) as specified forpolice, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing. Refer to the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE: Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing (6-speed automatic only).
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly
areas, or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
710 STARTING AND OPERATING

NEUTRAL (N) button has been released, the transfer
case will shift to the position indicated by the selec-
tor switch.
• With electronic shift transfer case with push-button
selector switch, push and hold the switch for the
desired transfer case position, until the NEUTRAL
(N) indicator light turns off and the desired position
indicator light turns on.
NOTE: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL (N),
turning the engine OFF is not required, but may be
helpful to avoid gear clash. With the 8-speed automatic
transmission, the engine must remain running, since
turning the engine OFF will shift the transmission to
PARK (and the transmission must be in NEUTRAL for
the transfer case to shift out of NEUTRAL). 5. Turn the engine OFF. Shift automatic transmission into
PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the shifter will auto-
matically select PARK when the engine is turned off.
6. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on a manual transmission).
7. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
8. Start the engine.
9. Press and hold the brake pedal.
10. Release the parking brake.
11. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions),
and check that the vehicle operates normally.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 723

SELECT button to turn off the message. If the problem
continues, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which
you can use prior to going to the test station. To check if
your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the
following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do
not crank or start the engine.
NOTE: If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the “Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” symbol come on as part of a normal bulb
check.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 795

Severe Duty All Models Only
NOTE:Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the
vehicle is operated in a dusty and off road environment
or is operated predominantly at idle or only very low
engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered
Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on. •
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and automatic transmission (six-speed only)
and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 875

Brake/Transmission Interlock.................489
Bulb Replacement ..................... .852, 854
Bulbs, Light ......................... .122, 852
Cab Top Clearance Lights ...................860
Camera, Rear ........................... .212
Camper ............................... .271
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .864
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .801
Power Steering ........................ .615
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................821
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............119,680
Cargo Light ............................ .180
Car Washes ............................ .834
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............858
Center Seat Storage Compartment .............242
Certification Label ........................ .687
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .638Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .795
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety
..............118
Checks, Safety ............................118
Child Restraint ............................85
Child Restraints Booster Seats ...........................90
Child Restraints .........................85
Child Seat Installation .................104, 106
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt .......102
Infants And Child Restraints ................88
Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint . . . .101
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt ................................ .103
Locating The LATCH Anchorages ............98
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......93
Older Children And Child Restraints ..........89
Seating Positions ........................92
Cigar Lighter ........................... .235
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .677
898 INDEX

Flat Tire Stowage..................... .745, 765
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ........................ .683
Engine Oil ........................... .682
Fuel Requirements ...................681, 682
Maintenance .......................... .684
Replacement Parts ...................... .683
Starting ............................. .683
Flooded Engine Starting ....................480
Fluid, Brake ............................ .870
Fluid Capacities ......................... .864
Fluid Leaks ............................ .122
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... .826
Power Steering ........................ .615
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........866
Fog Lights ....................... .176, 317, 856
Fold Flat Load Floor ...................... .249
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................727 Four Wheel Drive
........................ .522
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................775
Front Axle (Differential) .....................827
Fuel .................................. .675
Adding ............................. .684
Additives ............................ .679
Clean Air ............................ .677
Ethanol .......................... .677, 681
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................686
Gasoline ............................. .675
Light ............................... .314
Materials Added ....................... .679
Methanol ............................ .677
Octane Rating ..................... .675, 866
Requirements ...................... .675, 864
Tank Capacity ......................... .864
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .681
Fuses ................................. .841
902 INDEX

Lane Change Assist....................... .182
Lap/Shoulder Belts .........................56
Latches ............................... .122
Lead Free Gasoline ....................... .675
Leaks, Fluid ............................ .122
Life Of Tires ............................ .658
Light Bulbs ......................... .122, 852
Lights ............................. .122, 170
AirBag ........................82, 120, 297
Automatic Headlights ....................171
Brake Assist Warning ....................630
Brake Warning ........................ .298
Bulb Replacement ...................... .854
Cap Top Clearance ..................... .860
Cargo .............................. .180
Center Mounted Stop ....................858
Courtesy/Reading ................178, 180, 215
Cruise ........................... .327, 329
Daytime Running ...................... .173Engine Temperature Warning
...............300
Exterior ............................. .122
Fog ......................... .176, 317, 856
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ................526
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................727
Headlights ........................... .171
High Beam ........................... .182
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............182
Hill Descent Control Indicator ..............632
Illuminated Entry ........................24
Interior ....................177, 178, 180, 215
Low Fuel ............................ .314
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) .........307
Park ............................ .325, 327
Passing ............................. .182
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .296
Security Alarm ........................ .300
Service .......................... .852,

854
Side Marker .......................... .86310
INDEX 905

Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).........311,666
Traction Control ....................... .630
Transfer Case ......................... .526
Turn Signal ..............122, 181, 326, 854, 857
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .300, 326
Limited-Slip Differential .................589, 828
Loading Vehicle ......................... .687
Tires ............................... .643
Locks ..................................38
Automatic Door .........................41
Child Protection .........................42
Door .................................38
Power Door ............................40
Low Tire Pressure System ...................666
Lubrication, Body .........................811
Lug Nuts ........................... .728, 729
Maintenance Free Battery ....................808
Maintenance Procedures ....................797 Maintenance Schedule
..................... .874
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . .307, 795
Manual, Service ......................... .890
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ...................... .829
Lubricant Selection ..................... .870
Memory Seat ........................... .164
Methanol .............................. .677
Mirrors ............................... .130
Electric Powered ....................... .142
Heated .............................. .144
Memory ............................. .164
Outside ............................. .138
Rearview ..................... .130, 131, 138
Trailer Towing ........................ .144
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................666
MOPAR Parts ........................ .796, 889
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .677
906 INDEX