2017 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab overheating

General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery ter-
minals clean and free of corrosion.
When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drivetrain
damage, the following precautions should be observed.
•Operate with transfer case in 4LO when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to exceed
15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in 4HI. •
Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4LO
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting the
transmission.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The GroundTwo-Wheel
Drive Models Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONENOT
ALLOWED See Instructions
•
Automatic transmission in PARK
• Manual transmission in gear
(NOT in NEUTRAL)
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction 5
STARTING AND OPERATING 423

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the upper
switch bank just below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
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 action.
• 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 supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine 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 or coolant bottle is hot.
430 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 clutch or 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” for further informa-
tion. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Off
switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE/SECOND GEAR and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train 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 transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow hooks.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage
to the vehicle.
444 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded
fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effective-
ness of the catalyst as an emissions control device
and may seriously reduce engine performance 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 involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued 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 converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems 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 the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•
Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough idle
or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If you
(Continued)
476 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Door LocksDoor Locks ..............................31
KeyFob................................31
Remote ................................31
Remote Keyless Entry ......................31
Door Locks, Automatic .......................32
Door Opener, Garage ....................... .164
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ................................ .352
Dual Rear Wheels ....................393, 431, 439
Electrical Power Outlets ..................... .172
Electric Rear Window Defrost ..................187
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ..............346
Electronic Brake Control System ................357
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................358
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...................366
Traction Control System ....................362
Electronic Range Select (ERS)..................336
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........143
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............363
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........205
Emergency Brake .......................... .355Emergency, In Case Of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................443
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................430
Jump Starting .......................... .440
Tow Hooks ............................ .444
Emission Control System Maintenance ............455
Engine ................................. .453
Air Cleaner ............................ .460
Break-In Recommendations ................91, 92
Compartment Identification .................453
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .508
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................93, 405
Flooded, Starting ........................ .327
Fuel Requirements ....................... .402
Jump Starting .......................... .440
Oil .............................. .457, 508
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .459
Oil

Filter .............................. .459
Oil Selection ........................... .458
Oil Synthetic ........................... .459
Overheating ........................... .430
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................ .459
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ..........64, 448
Entry System, Illuminated .....................2110
INDEX 527

Mopar Parts.......................... .456, 521
MTBE/ETBE ............................. .403
Multi-Function Control Lever ..................135
Navigation System (Uconnect GPS) ..............160
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................91, 92
Occupant Restraints .........................41
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .................402
Oil, Engine ........................... .457, 508
Capacity .............................. .507
Change Interval ........................ .458
Dipstick .............................. .457
Disposal .............................. .459
Filter ............................. .459, 508
Filter Disposal .......................... .459
Identification Logo ...................... .458
Pressure Warning Light ....................205
Recommendation ........................ .458
Synthetic ............................. .459
Viscosity .............................. .459
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .459
Oil Pressure Light ......................... .205
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................454
Operating Precautions ...................... .454Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)
...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ....................107
Overdrive ............................... .337
Overdrive OFF Switch ...................... .337
Overhead Console ......................... .163
Overheating, Engine ....................... .430
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,522
Paint Care ............................... .486
Panic Alarm ...............................24
Parking Brake ............................ .355
ParkSense System, Rear ...................146, 154
Passing Light ............................ .136
Passive Entry ..............................
34
Pedals, Adjustable ......................... .140
Personalized Menu Bar ..................... .297
Personal Settings .......................... .231
Pets .....................................91
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ........376, 377
Power Distribution Center (Fuses) ..................493
Door Locks ..............................32
Mirrors ............................... .108
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .........172, 177
Seats .................................112
532 INDEX