2016 Ram ProMaster City overheating

Red Telltale Indicator Lights
Engine Temperature Warning Light
Red WarningLight What It Means
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As engine coolant temperatures rise and
the gauge approaches
H, this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound after
reaching a set threshold. Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to pass H,a
continuous chime will occur until the engine is allowed to cool or the 4 minutes duration is
expired, whichever come first.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system
is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the tem-
perature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for ser-
vice. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further infor-
mation.
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section for further infor-
mation) to select a lower gear range. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear range will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the transmission controller may modify the
transmission shift schedule, reduce engine torque,
and/or expand the range of torque converter clutch
engagement. This is done to prevent transmission dam-
age due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the “Trans-
mission Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and
the transmission may operate differently until the trans-
mission cools down.During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear, are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the
“Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
Normal operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth gear regardless of which forward gear is
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue
to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Four primary areas
are affected by improper tire pressure:
•Safety and Vehicle Stability
• Economy
• Tread Wear
• Ride Comfort
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause collisions.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can result
in overheating and tire failure.
• Overinflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire failure.
• Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect ve-
hicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle
to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the
right or left.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 265

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel above the climate controls.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed while preventing vehicle motion with the
brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 311

CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Starting And Operating”. Once the
vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Offswitch again to
restore ESC On mode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
(Continued)
340 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!(Continued)
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can con-
tact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions control
device and may seriously reduce engine perfor-
mance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 365

Trip Functions........................ .188
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................339
Jump Starting ......................... .335
Towing ............................. .341
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........352
Engine ................................ .349
Air Cleaner .......................... .358
Block Heater ......................... .225
Break-In Recommendations .................85
Checking Oil Level ..................... .355
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................397
Cooling ............................. .366
Exhaust Gas Caution ..................87, 288
Fails To Start ......................... .225
Flooded, Starting ...................... .225
Fuel Requirements ..................... .284
Jump Starting ......................... .335
Oil .......................... .355, 396, 397Oil Filler Cap
...................... .349, 357
Oil Filter ............................ .358
Oil Selection ...................... .356, 396
Oil Synthetic ......................... .357
Overheating ...........................311
Starting ............................. .223
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .357
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................357
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............57
Ethanol ............................... .285
Event Data Recorder ........................60
Exhaust Gas Caution ....................87, 288
Exhaust System ....................... .87, 364
Exterior Lights ............................90
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .358
Engine Oil ........................ .358, 397
Engine Oil Disposal .....................358
424 INDEX

Materials Added To..................... .357
Pressure Warning Light ...................155
Recommendation ....................356, 396
Synthetic ............................ .357
Viscosity ......................... .357, 396
Oil Filter, Change ........................ .358
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... .358
Oil Pressure Light ........................ .155
Onboard Diagnostic System ..................350
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) .............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ....................94
Overheating, Engine .......................311
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ..........4,414
Paint Care ............................. .377
Parking Brake ........................... .241
ParkSense System, Rear .....................123
Passing Light ............................112
Personal Settings ......................... .191Pets
....................................85
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ..........261
Power Mirrors ...............................96
Steering .......................... .239, 240
Windows ..............................26
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts ...............43
Preparation For Jacking .....................324
Pretensioners Seat Belts ..............................43
Radial Ply Tires ......................... .268
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........370
Radio Frequency General Information ...................16, 20
Radio Operation ......................... .204
Rear Camera ........................... .128
Rear ParkSense System .....................123
Rear Window Defroster .....................208
10
INDEX 429