2017 Ram 3500 engine

3. Push and release therightarrow button to access the
“Oil Life” screen.
4. Push and hold the right
arrow button to select the
Oil Life Reset.
5. Push and release the appropriate arrow button to select “YES” to reset the Oil Life.
6. Push and release the up
arrow button to exit the
instrument cluster display screen.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you start
the vehicle, the Oil Life indicator system did not reset. If
necessary, repeat this procedure.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this message
appears, dealers should replace the fuel filter.
NOTE: Use the steering wheel button controls for the
following procedure(s) Vehicles Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the ON/
RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Push and release the DOWN
arrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
3. Push and release the RIGHT
arrow button to access
the ”Fuel Filter Life” screen.
4. Push and release the appropriate arrow button to access the “Reset” screen.
5. Push and release the appropriate arrow to select the reset of the Fuel Filter Life.
6. Push and release the UP
arrow button to exit the
Instrument Cluster Display screen.
Vehicles Not Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Push and release the DOWN
arrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
112 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

3. Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to access
the ”Fuel Filter Life” screen.
4. Push and release the appropriate arrow button to access the “Reset” screen.
5. Push and release the appropriate arrow to select the reset of the Fuel Filter Life.
6. Push and release the UP
arrow button to exit the
Instrument Cluster Display screen.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you start
the vehicle, the Fuel Filter indicator system did not reset. If
necessary, repeat this procedure.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Messages
The Cummins diesel engine meets all diesel emissions
standards, resulting in one of the lowest emitting diesel
engines ever produced. To achieve these emissions stan-
dards, your vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art
engine and exhaust system. These systems are seamlessly
integrated into your vehicle and managed by the Pow-
ertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM manages engine
combustion to allow the exhaust system’s catalyst to trap
and burn Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants, with no input
or interaction on your part.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be grass
or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust sys-
tem. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas where
your exhaust system can contact anything that can
burn.
Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to additional
maintenance required on your vehicle or engine. The
following messages may display in your Instrument Clus-
ter Display:
• Perform Service — Your vehicle will require emissions
maintenance at a set interval. To help remind you when
this maintenance is due, the Instrument Cluster Display
will display “Perform Service”. When the “Perform
Service” message is displayed in the Instrument Cluster
Display it is necessary to have the emissions mainte-
nance performed. Emissions maintenance may include
replacing the Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) filter
element. The procedure for clearing and resetting the
Perform Service indicator message is located in the
appropriate Service Information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 113

•Exhaust System — Regeneration Required Now —
Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds to Remedy will be displayed in the Instrument
Cluster Display if the exhaust particulate filter reaches
80% of its maximum storage capacity. Under conditions
of exclusive short duration and low speed driving
cycles, your Cummins diesel engine and exhaust after-
treatment system may never reach the conditions re-
quired to remove the trapped PM. If this occurs, the
“Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds to Remedy” message will be displayed in the
Instrument Cluster Display. If this message is displayed,
you will hear one chime to assist in alerting you of this
condition
• By simply driving your vehicle at highway speeds for as
little as 45 minutes, you can remedy the condition in the
particulate filter system and allow your Cummins diesel
engine and exhaust after-treatment system to remove
the trapped PM and restore the system to normal
operating condition.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration In Process Exhaust
Filter XX% Full — Indicates that the Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) is self-cleaning. Maintain your current driv-
ing condition until regeneration is completed. •
Exhaust System — Regeneration Completed — This
message indicates that the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
self-cleaning is completed. If this message is displayed,
you will hear one chime to assist in alerting you of this
condition.
• Exhaust Service Required — See Dealer Now — This
message indicates regeneration has been disabled due to
a system malfunction. At this point the engine Pow-
ertrain Control Module (PCM) will register a fault code,
the instrument panel will display a MIL light.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
• Exhaust Filter Full — Power Reduced See Dealer —
This message indicates the PCM has derated the engine
to limit the likelihood of permanent damage to the
after-treatment system. If this condition is not corrected
and a dealer service is not performed, extensive exhaust
after-treatment damage can occur. To correct this condi-
tion it will be necessary to have your vehicle serviced by
your local authorized dealer.
114 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Instrument
Cluster Display displays the following messages:
•System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle Not in Park
• System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle in Motion
• Service Air Filter
• Perform Service
• Exhaust Filter Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds To
Remedy
• Exhaust Filter XX% Full – Power Reduced See Dealer
• Exhaust Service Required – See Dealer Now
• Exhaust System – Filter XX% Full Service Required See
Dealer
• Exhaust System – Regeneration In Process Exhaust Filter
XX% Full •
Exhaust System – Regeneration Completed
• Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel Refill
DEF
• 5 MPH Max Speed Refill DEF
• Service DEF System See Dealer
• 5 MPH Max Speed in XXX mi Service DEF System See
Dealer
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer
• Coolant Low
• Engine Power Reduced During Warm-up
• Engine Power Reduced up to 30-sec During Warmup
• Engine Power Reduced up to 2-min During Warmup
• Active Airbox Service Required See Dealer4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115

Cold Ambient Derate Mode Messages
The vehicle will display messages when a derate (engine
power reduction) is activated to protect the turbocharger
during engine start up in cold ambient temperatures.
•Engine Power Reduced During Warmup — This mes-
sage will display during start up when the ambient
temperature is between 10° F (-12° C) and -10° F (-23° C).
• Engine Power Reduced Up To 30 Sec (Seconds) During
Warmup — This message will display during start up
when the ambient temperature is between -10° F (-23° C)
and -25 F (-32° C).
• Engine Power Reduced Up To 2 Min (Minutes) During
Warmup — This message will display during start up
when the ambient temperature is -25° F (-32° C) and
below.
• Coolant Low — This telltale will turn on to indicate the
vehicle coolant level is low. See “Adding Coolant” under
the section “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for more infor-
mation.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages when
the DEF level reaches a driving range of approximately 350 miles (560 km). If the following warning message
sequence is ignored, your vehicle may be limited to a
maximum speed of 5 MPH (8 km/H) unless DEF is added.
•
DEF Low Refill Soon — This message will display
when the low level is reached, during vehicle start up,
and with increased frequency during vehicle operation.
It will be accompanied by a single chime. Approximately
5 gallons (19 Liters) of DEF is required to refill the tank
when this message is initially displayed. on pickup
applications, and approximately 7 gallons (28 Liters) are
required on chassis-cab applications.
• Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF — This
message will continuously display if the “DEF Low
Refill Soon” message is ignored, and the frequency of
occurance of the chime will increase unless up to
2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Refill DEF — This message will continuously display
when the counter reaches zero, and will be accompanied
by a periodic chime.
• The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed of
5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
116 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer — This message will continu-
ously display when the mileage counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
• The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed of
5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
• If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
• If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the vehicle
can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will only
operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your vehicle
will require towing, see your authorized dealer for
service.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at a
maximum speed of 5 MPH. •
Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer — This message will
display when the fault is initially detected, each time the
vehicle is started, and periodically during driving. The
message will be accompanied by a single chime. We
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized dealer
and have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active Air
system that provides enhanced performance, especially
when towing under demanding hot or high altitude con-
ditions. If the Instrument Cluster Display displays the
message “Active Airbox Service Required See Dealer”,
vehicle performance may be reduced until service is per-
formed by an authorized RAM dealer.
118 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................121
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........121
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......121
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped ..........122
▫ Extreme Cold Weather ...................125
▫ Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66° F (19° C) .........126
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C) ......126
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C) .............128
▫ Starting Fluids ........................ .129
NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE .....130
▫ Cold Weather Precautions .................131
▫ Engine Idling ........................ .133
▫ Stopping The Engine ....................134
▫ Idle Shutdown ........................ .135
▫ Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed
(Chassis Cab Only) ..................... .136
▫ Operating Precautions ...................136
▫
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission . .136
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .137
▫ Block Heater Usage .....................138
 DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING) .138
5

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED .140
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................141
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .141
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped ........................... .141
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . . .150
▫ Shifting ............................. .151
▫ Downshifting ......................... .152
▫ Reverse Shifting ....................... .153
 AUXILIARY SWITCHES — IF EQUIPPED ......153
 POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY) ....................154
▫ Stationary Mode ...................... .154
▫ Mobile Mode ......................... .155
ENGINE RUNAWAY .....................156
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................157
▫ Fuel Specifications ..................... .157
▫ Bio-Diesel Fuel Requirements ..............158
 ADDING FUEL — 2500/3500 DIESEL MODELS . .160
 ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS .....162
▫ Fuel Filler Cap ........................ .163
▫ Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ............163
▫ Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel ............163
▫ Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage ...............164
▫ Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid ...............164
 DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID ..................167
▫ System Overview ...................... .168
120 STARTING AND OPERATING