2016 Ram ProMaster coolant

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 accelerator pedal position at highway speeds
when carrying or towing significant weight. NOTE:
Light duty operation such as light trailer towing
or no load operation will extend the time before the
engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown under “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts”,
under “Maintaining Your Vehicle” in this manual. NON-
DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST
NEVER BE USED.
8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

4. Temperature Gauge•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather or up moun-
tain grades. It should not be allowed to exceed the
upper limits of the normal operating range.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” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealer for service.
16 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
5. Fuel Gauge •The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position
The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the
vehicle where the fuel door is located.
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
IMPORTANT: The warning light switches on in the
instrument panel together with a dedicated message
and/or acoustic signal when applicable. These indica-
tions are indicative and precautionary and as such must
not be considered as exhaustive and/or alternative to the
information contained in the Owner Manual, which you
are advised to read carefully in all cases. Always refer to
the information in this chapter in the event of a failure
indication.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 17

Engine Temperature Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. If the engine coolant temperature is too
high, this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound.
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 temperature
reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for service. Refer to
“If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further information.
For vehicles equipped with a premium cluster, this indicator will display in the DID. Refer to
”Driver Information Display (DID) — If Equipped” for further information.
22 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Coolant Temperature Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. 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 temperature reading does not return
to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for service.
NOTE:
As the coolant temperature gauge approaches
H,this indicator will illuminate and a single
chime will sound. Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to pass H.In this
case, a continuous chime will sound until the engine is allowed to cool or the 4 minutes du-
ration is expired, whichever come first.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 25

Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber
temperatures 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
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine three to five
minutes before shutting it down. This idle period will
allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the combustion chamber, bearings, internal
components, and turbocharger. This is especially impor-
tant for turbocharged diesel engines.
NOTE:Refer to the following chart for proper engine
shutdown.
Driving
Condition LoadTurbo-
charger
Tempera- ture Idle Time
(min.)
Before
Engine
Shutdown
Stop and Go Empty Cool Less than
One
Stop and Go Medium
One
Highway Speeds Medium Warm Two
City Traffic Maximum GCWR Three
Highway Speeds Maximum
GCWR Four
Uphill Grade Maximum
GCWR Hot Five
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 59

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.
ENGINE BLOCK/TRANSMISSION HEATER — IF
EQUIPPED
To ensure reliable starting/operating at these tempera-
tures, use of an externally powered electric engine block/
transmission heater (available from your authorized
dealer) is recommended.
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. The transmission
heaters warm gearbox oil and hydraulic actuation system
oil to operate in cold weather. Connect the heater cord to
a ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt AC
electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension
cord.
Its use is recommended for environments that routinely
fall below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when the
vehicle has not been running overnight or longer periods
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 61

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.0L DIESEL
1 — Washer Solvent Reservoir4 — Engine Oil Dipstick7 — Front Power Distribution Center
(Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Reservoir 5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir8 — Jump Starting Location
3 — Engine Oil Fill 6 — Fuel Filter Housing Location9 — Coolant Reservoir
102 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE