2016 Ram ProMaster cooling

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

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................53
▫ Normal Starting Procedure ................54
▫ Starting Fluids ........................55
▫ Extreme Cold Weather ...................56
 NORMAL OPERATION ...................57
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ................57
▫ Engine Idling .........................59
▫ Stopping The Engine ...................59
▫ Cooling System Tips — Automated Manual
Transmission .........................60 
ENGINE BLOCK/TRANSMISSION HEATER —
IF EQUIPPED ..........................61
 AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION .....62
▫ Gear Ranges .........................64
▫ Parking The Vehicle .....................70
▫ Instrument Cluster Messages ..............72
▫ Towing The Vehicle .....................76
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................76
▫ Fuel Specifications .....................78
▫ Biodiesel Fuel Requirements ...............79
5

Cooling System Tips — Automated Manual
Transmission
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient temperature conditions, take the
following actions:
•City Driving
— When stopped, shift the transmis-
sion 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. 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.
60 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce the potential for transmission overheating,
activate the “TOW/HAUL” feature when using DRIVE
(D) (automatic mode) in hilly areas.
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, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 99

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.0L DIESEL . . . .102
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........103
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .104
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................106
▫ Draining Fuel Filter/Water Separator .......107
▫ Fuel Filter Replacement .................108
▫ Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel . .108
▫ Intervention Regeneration Strategy —
Message Process Flow ..................110 ▫
Maintenance-Free Batteries ..............110
▫ Cooling System .......................111
▫ Brake System ........................117
▫ Automated Manual Transmission ..........118
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................119
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .120
▫ Engine ............................ .120
▫ Chassis ........................... .123
6

CAUTION!
It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to the
negative post. Battery posts are marked (+) positive
and negative (-) and are identified on the battery
case. Also, if a “fast charger” is used while the battery
is in vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 111

spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the A/C condenser (if equipped) or the back of the
radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
The radiator drain cock is located in the lower radiator
tank. If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant expan-
sion bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRES-
SURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System — Drain Flush And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
112 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE