2017 Ram 1500 fuel filter

•Commercially available fuel additives are not necessary
for the proper operation of your diesel engine.
• No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.
Biodiesel Fuel Requirements
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM specifi-
cation D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with biodiesel blends that are
between 6% and 20% (B6–B20) is desired, the maintenance
schedule is subject to shorter intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replacement
is subject to shorter intervals when operating your engine
on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel greater
than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20) it is important that you understand and comply
with these requirements. Refer to the “Maintenance Chart”
in the “Maintenance Schedules” section for further direc-
tion.
CAUTION!
Failure to comply with Oil Change requirements for
vehicles operating on biodiesel blends between 6%
and 20% (B6–B20) will result in premature engine wear.
Such wear is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Biodiesel is a fuel produced from renewable resources
typically derived from animal fat, rapeseed oil (Rapeseed
Methyl Ester (RME) base), or soybean oil (Soy Methyl Ester
(SME or SOME) base).
Biodiesel fuel has inherent limitations which require that
you understand and adhere to the following requirements
if you use blends of biodiesel between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20). There are no unique restrictions for the use of B5.
CAUTION!
Use of blends greater than 20% is not approved. Use of
blends greater than 20% can result in engine damage.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
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Biodiesel Fuel Properties — Low Ambient
Temperatures
Biodiesel fuel may gel or solidify at low ambient tempera-
tures, which may pose problems for both storage and
operation. Precautions can be necessary at low ambient
temperatures, such as storing the fuel in a heated building
or a heated storage tank, or using cold temperature addi-
tives.
Fuel Quality — Must Comply With ASTM
Standards
The quality of biodiesel fuel may vary widely. Only fuel
produced by a BQ9000 supplier to the following specifica-
tions may be blended to meet biodiesel blend B6 – B20 fuel
meeting ASTM specification D-7467:
•Petrodiesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 and
biodiesel fuel (B100) meeting ASTM specification D-6751
Fuel Oxidation Stability — Must Use Fuel Within
Six Months Of Manufacture
Biodiesel fuel has poor oxidation stability which can result
in long term storage problems. Fuel produced to approved
ASTM standards, if stored properly, provides for protec-
tion against fuel oxidation for up to six months.
Fuel Water Separation — Must Use MOPAR
Approved Fuel Filter Elements
Biodiesel fuel has a natural affinity to water and water
accelerates microbial growth. Your MOPAR filtration sys-
tem is designed to provide adequate fuel water separation
capabilities.
Fuel In Oil Dilution — Must Adhere To Required
Oil Change Interval
Fuel dilution of lubricating oil has been observed with the
use of biodiesel fuel. Fuel in oil must not exceed 5%. To
ensure this limit is met your oil change interval must be
maintained with in the suggested schedule. The regular
use of biodiesel between 6% and 20% requires intervals
shorter than the outlined 10,000 miles and must not exceed
the suggested schedule. When routinely operating on
biodiesel between 6% and 20%, oil and filter replacement
intervals must not exceed 8,000 Miles or 6 months, which
ever comes first.
Biodiesel Fuel Filter Change Intervals
The use of biodiesel requires intervals shorter than the
outlined 30,000 miles (48,280 km) and must not exceed the
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STARTING AND OPERATING 43

suggested schedule. When operating on biodiesel between
6% and 20%, fuel filter replacement intervals must not
exceed 20,000 Miles (40,233 km).
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 8,000 miles (12,875 km) or 6 months, if regular
operation occurs with 6% - 20% biodiesel blends. Under no
circumstances should fuel filter intervals exceed 20,000
miles (40,233 km), if regular operation occurs with 6% -
20% biodiesel blends. Failure to comply with these Oil
Change and fuel filter requirements for vehicles operating
on biodiesel blends up to B20 may result in premature
engine wear. Such wear is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. The engine may suffer severe damage if
operated with concentrations of biodiesel higher than 20%.
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID
Your vehicle is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduc-
tion system to meet the very stringent diesel emissions
standards required by the Environmental Protection
Agency.
The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of NOx
(oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines) that are harmful
to our health and the environment to a near-zero level.
Small quantities of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is injected into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst where, when
vaporized, it converts smog-forming nitrogen oxides
(NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water vapor (H2O),
two natural components of the air we breathe. You can
operate with the comfort that your vehicle is contributing
to a cleaner, healthier world environment for this and
generations to come.
System Overview
This vehicle is equipped with a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
injection system and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
catalyst to meet the emission requirements.
The DEF injection system consists of the following compo-
nents:
•
DEF tank
• DEF pump
• DEF injector
• Electronically-heated DEF lines
• NOx sensors
• Temperature sensors
• SCR catalyst
44 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Ensure funnel is inserted fully to hold flapper door
open.
3. Pour fuel into funnel opening.
4. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting back in the jack kit.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
• Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regulations
and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator Light” to
turn on.
• A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel
Fuel that is contaminated by water or dirt can cause severe
damage to the engine fuel system. Proper maintenance of
the engine fuel filter and fuel tank is essential. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for further information.
Emergency Fuel Fill Location
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STARTING AND OPERATING 47

Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel
If you store quantities of fuel, good maintenance of the
stored fuel is also essential. Fuel contaminated with water
will promote the growth of “microbes.” These microbes
form “slime” that will clog the fuel filtration system and
lines. Drain condensation from the supply tank and change
the line filter on a regular basis.
NOTE:When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of fuel,
air is pulled into the fuel system.
If the vehicle will not start, refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is considered a very stable
product with a long shelf life. If DEF is kept in tempera-
tures between 10° and 90°F (-12° and 32°C), it will last a
minimum of one year.
DEF is subject to freezing at the lowest temperatures. For
example, DEF may freeze at temperatures at or below
12° F (-11° C). The system has been designed to operate in
this environment.
NOTE: When working with DEF, it is important to know
that:
• Any containers or parts that come into contact with DEF
must be DEF compatible (plastic or stainless steel).
Copper, brass, aluminum, iron or non-stainless steel
should be avoided as they are subject to corrosion
by DEF.
• If DEF is spilled, it should be wiped up completely.
48 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.0L DIESEL ......54
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES .............55
▫ Engine Oil ............................55
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ..................57
▫ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .........60
▫ Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement ....61
▫ Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel ....62
▫ Intervention Regeneration Strategy — Message
Process Flow ..........................64 ▫
Maintenance-Free Batteries ................64
▫ Cooling System ........................65
▫ Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler ...........69
▫ Brake System ..........................69
 FLUID CAPACITIES ......................71
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS . . .72
▫ Engine ...............................72
▫ Chassis ..............................75
5

1 — MAX Mark
2 — MIN Mark
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add oil only
when the level on the dipstick is below the “MIN” mark.
The total capacity from the MIN mark to the MAX mark is
1.3 qts (1.2 L).
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause oil
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
NOTE: It is possible for your oil level to be slightly higher
than a previous check. This would be due to diesel fuel that
may temporarily be in the crankcase due to operation of
the diesel particulate filter regeneration strategy. This fuel
will evaporate out under normal operation.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “MIN”
mark or above the upper “MAX” mark.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
CAUTION!
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced technology
Diesel Engine and an emission device designed to
limit Diesel Particulate Emissions from being released
(Continued)
Engine Oil Dipstick
56 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

2. Install the air cleaner cover onto the housing assemblylocating tabs.
3. Latch the spring clips and lock the air cleaner cover to the housing assembly.
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter
The fuel filter/water separator filter housing is located
above the rear axle next to the fuel tank. The best access to
this water drain valve is from under the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Do not drain the fuel/water separator filter when the
engine is running.
• Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
If water is detected in the water separator while the engine
is running, or while the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illumi-
nate and an audible chime will be heard. At this point, you
should stop the engine and drain the water from the filter
housing.
1 — Water In Fuel Drain
2 — Fuel Filter Access
CAUTION!
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain water from
the fuel filter to avoid engine damage.
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” comes on and a single
chime is heard while you are driving, or with the ignition
Fuel Filter Assembly
60 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE