2017 Ram 3500 coolant level

3. Speedometer•Indicates vehicle speed.
4. 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 filler door is located.
5. DEF Gauge •The DEF Gauge displays the actual level of Diesel
Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank. Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) is required to maintain normal vehicle operation
and emissions compliance. If something is wrong with
the gauge, a DEF Warning Message or Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) will be displayed. More infor-
mation is available in the Instrument Cluster Display
section under the heading of Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) Warning Messages.
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
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle.” Follow the warnings under the “Cooling Sys-
tem Pressure Cap” paragraph.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could dam-
age 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”, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealer for service.
NOTE:
• The gauge may take up to five seconds to update after
adding a gallon or more of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to
the DEF tank. If you have a fault related to the DEF
system, the gauge may not update to the new level. See
your authorized dealer for service.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 103

1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Engine Coolant Temperature •This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher temperatures
when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, or
in heavy stop and go traffic. If the red Warning Light
turns on while driving, safely bring the vehicle to a
stop, and turn off the engine. DO NOT operate the
vehicle until the cause is corrected.
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 Ve-
hicle.” Follow the warnings under the “Cooling Sys-
tem Pressure Cap” paragraph.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could dam-
age 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”, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealer for service.
3. Oil Pressure Gauge •The pointer should always indicate some oil pressure
when the engine is running. A continuous high or low
reading under normal driving conditions may indicate
a lubrication system malfunction. Immediate service
should be obtained from an authorized dealer.
4. Speedometer •Indicates vehicle speed.
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 filler door is located.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 105

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

the same engine coolant (OAT coolant conforming to
MS.90032) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant (antifreeze)
that meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS.90032. When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•We recommend using MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology) that meets the requirements of FCA Mate-
rial Standard MS.90032.
• Mix a minimum solution of 50% OAT engine coolant
that meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS.90032 and distilled water. Use higher concentrations
(not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34°F (37°C)
are anticipated. Please contact your authorized dealer
for assistance.
• Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant (anti-
freeze) solution. The use of lower quality water will
reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the engine
cooling system. NOTE:
•
It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the proper
level of protection against freezing according to the
temperatures occurring in the area where the vehicle is
operated.
• Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant prop-
erly. Failure to fill these systems properly could lead to
severe internal engine damage. If any coolant is needed
to be added to the system, please contact your local
authorized dealer.
• Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types is not recom-
mended and can result in cooling system damage.
If HOAT and OAT coolant are mixed in an emergency,
have a authorized dealer drain, flush, and refill with
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032) as soon as pos-
sible.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
expansion bottle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 193

MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion pro-
tection of your engine which contains aluminum com-
ponents.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install ONLY
the correct type thermostat. Other designs may result in
unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler
The charge air cooler is positioned below the radiator and
the air conditioner condenser. Air enters the engine
through the air cleaner and passes through the turbo-
charger, where it is pressurized. This pressurized air rap-
idly reaches high temperature. The air is then directed
through a hose to the charge air cooler and through another
hose to the intake manifold of the engine. The air entering the engine has been cooled by about 50° to 100°F (10° to
38°C). This cooling process enables more efficient burning
of fuel resulting in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the system, keep
the surfaces of the charge air cooler, condenser and radiator
clean and free of debris. Periodically check the hoses
leading to and from the charge air cooler for cracks or loose
clamps resulting in loss of pressure and reduced engine
performance.
Brake System
Brake Master Cylinder — Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immediately
if the “Brake System Warning Light” indicates system
failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic reser-
voir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” mark and a “MIN” mark. The fluid level must be
kept within these two marks. Do not add fluid above the
full mark because leakage may occur at the cap.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 195

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE — DIESEL ENGINE
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop For Fuel
Check the engine oil level at least 30 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while the
vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level is at or below
the ADD or MIN mark.
Once A Month
• Inspect the batteries, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and automatic transmission (if
equipped), and add as needed.
At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air filter. •
Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
• Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime a
malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all receipts.
Oil Change Indicator System — Cummins Diesel
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change indi-
cator system. This system will alert you when it is time to
change your engine oil by displaying the words “Oil
Change Due” in your instrument cluster display. The oil
change reminder will remind the owner to change the
engine oil every 15,000 miles or 500 hours, whichever
comes first, except for the Chassis Cab models and Pickup
models configured with optional B20 capability that are
using B20 biodiesel, which are 12,500 miles or 400 hours,
whichever comes first. Failure to change the engine oil per
the maintenance schedule can result in internal engine
damage.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
210 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)..............66
Adding Fuel ...............................45
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......57
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ....................65
Capacities ..............................71
Disposal ................................68
Automatic Transmission Fluid Type ..............................75
Axle Fluid ................................75
Battery ...................................64
Brake Fluid................................75
Brake System ..............................69
Fluid Check .............................69
Master Cylinder ..........................69
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............71
Capacities, Fluid ............................71
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .............................56
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ..................67
Charge Air Cooler ...........................69
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............67
Cooling System .............................65
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................66 Coolant Capacity
.........................71
Coolant Level ............................65
Disposal Of Used Coolant ...................68
Drain, Flush, And Refill .....................65
Points To Remember .......................68
Pressure Cap ............................67
Radiator Cap ............................67
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...........65,72
Diesel Fuel ................................40
Diesel Fuel Requirements ......................40
Bulk Storage Of ..........................48
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming .................62
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................68
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .............60
Engine ...................................54
Air Cleaner .............................57
Block Heater ..........................34,40
Break-In Recommendations ..................11
Compartment ............................54
Coolant (Antifreeze) .......................72
Identification ............................54
Idling .................................38
218 INDEX - RAM 1500

Oil.................................55,72
Oil Filler Cap............................56
Filters Air Cleaner .............................57
Engine Fuel .............................60
Engine Oil ...........................57,72
Engine Oil Disposal .......................57
Fluid Capacities ............................71
Fluid Level Checks Brake ..................................69
Fluid, Brake...............................75
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts .............72
Fuel .....................................40
Adding ................................45
Diesel ..............................40,72
Filter ..................................60
Requirements ............................40
Specifications ............................41
Tank Capacity ............................71
Fueling ..................................45
Gauges Voltmeter ...............................35
Instrument Cluster ..........................14 Intervention Regeneration Strategy
...............25
Keyless Enter-N-Go ..........................33
Maintenance Procedures ......................55
Maintenance Schedule ........................78
New Vehicle Break-In Period ...................11
Oil, Engine ................................55
Capacity ...............................71
Change Interval ..........................56
Dipstick ................................55
Disposal ................................57
Filter ...............................57,72
Filter Disposal ...........................57
Materials Added To ........................57
Recommendation .........................55
Viscosity ...............................56
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .............65
Remote Starting System .......................10
Schedule, Maintenance .......................78
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ................72
8
INDEX - RAM 1500 219