2016 Ram ProMaster City brake fluid

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Brake Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
United States
Canada
Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system reser-
voir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been disengaged, and the fluid level is at
the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. In this case, the light will
remain on until the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may
be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 159

The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

POWER STEERING .....................239
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............240
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .241
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .244
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .244
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .244
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............246
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............246
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................247
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........248
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................249
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........252
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............253
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .253
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........257
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........258
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........260
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........265
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .265
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................266
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .268
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .268
▫ Tire Types .......................... .269
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............270
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............271
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave an
automatic transmission in PARK, or manual transmission
in REVERSE or first gear.
The parking brake lever is located in the center console.
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up
slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 241

▫Brake System ....................... .372
▫ Power Steering Fluid ...................374
▫ Automatic Transmission ................375
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... .377
 FUSES ............................. .383
▫ Underhood Fuses ..................... .384
▫ Interior Fuses ....................... .387
▫ Central Unit Fuse Panel .................390
 VEHICLE STORAGE ....................391
 REPLACEMENT BULBS .................392
 BULB REPLACEMENT ..................393
▫ Headlamps ......................... .393▫
Front Turn Signal Lamps ................394
▫ Parking And Daytime Running Lights .......394
▫ Front/Rear Side Marker Lamps ............394
▫ Rear Tail, Stop, Backup And Turn Signal
Lamps ............................ .395
▫ Third Brake Light (Center Mount) ..........395
▫ License Plate Lights ....................396
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................396
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .397
▫ Engine ............................ .397
▫ Chassis ........................... .399
348 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter5 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Oil Fill Cap 7 — Engine Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 349

WARNING!(Continued)
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid in the master cylinder should be checked when
performing under hood services or immediately if the
“Brake Warning Light” is illuminated.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. Brake fluid level
should be checked when pads are replaced. However,
low fluid level may be caused by a leak and a checkup
may be needed. Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
•
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
(Continued)
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 373