2017 Ram 3500 service

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages
There are different messages which are displayed if the
vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled with a
fluid other than DEF, has experienced component failures,
or when tampering has been detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System See Dealer — This message will
display when the fault is initially detected and each time
the vehicle is started. The message will be accompanied
by a single chime and the Malfunction Indicator Light.
We recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced immediately. If
not corrected in 50 miles, vehicle will enter the “Engine
Will not restart in XXXmi Service DEF See dealer”
warning stage and message.
• Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer — This message will
display if the DEF system has detected the incorrect
fluid has been introduced to the DEF tank. The message
will be accompanied by a single chime. We recommend
you drive to your nearest authorized dealer and have
your vehicle serviced immediately. If not corrected in 30 miles, vehicle will enter the “Engine Will not restart in
XXX mi Service DEF See dealer” warning stage and
message.
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXX mi Service DEF See
Dealer — This message is first displayed if the fault
detected is not serviced after 50 miles of operation. It is
also displayed at 150 miles 125 miles and 100 miles.
System service is required within the displayed mileage.
The message will be displayed during vehicle start up
with an updated distance mileage, and it will be accom-
panied by a single chime. Starting at 100 miles, remain-
ing range will be continuously displayed while operat-
ing the vehicle. Chimes will also accompany the 75, 50
and 25 mile remaining distances. We recommend you
drive to your nearest authorized dealer and have your
vehicle serviced immediately.
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if DEF system issue
detected is not serviced during the allowed period. Your
engine will not restart unless your vehicle is serviced by
your authorized dealer. This message will be displayed
when under 1 mile until engine will not start and each
time the vehicle is started, and will be continuously
displayed. The message will be accompanied by a single
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 29

chime. Your Malfunction Indicator Light will be continu-
ously illumined. We highly recommend you drive to
your nearest authorized dealer if the message appears
while engine is running.
• Engine Will Not Start Service DEF System See Dealer
— This message will display when the fault detected is
not serviced after the Engine will not restart Service DEF
System See Dealer message is displayed on the next
subsequent restart. Your engine will not start unless
your vehicle is serviced by your authorized dealer. The
message will be accompanied by a single chime. Your
Malfunction Indicator Light will be continuously illumi-
nated. If the message appears and you can not start the
engine, we recommend you have your vehicle towed to
your nearest authorized dealer immediately.
30 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
All engine failures give some warning before the parts fail.
Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds, and
visual evidence that the engine requires service. Some
important clues are:
•Engine misfiring or vibrating severely.
• Sudden loss of power.
• Unusual engine noises.
• Fuel, oil or coolant leaks.
• Sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature.
• Excessive smoke.
• Oil pressure drop.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater cord to a
ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt AC electri-
cal outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
Its use is recommended for environments that routinely fall
below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when the vehicle has
not been running for long periods of time and should be plugged in two hours prior to start. Its use is required for
cold starts with temperatures under -20°F (-28°C).
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving. Dam-
age to the 110–115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
NOTE: The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in
your vehicle. Federal law requires that you must fuel this
vehicle with Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel
(15 ppm Sulfur maximum) and prohibits the use of Low
Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (500 ppm Sulfur maximum) to
avoid damage to the emissions control system.
For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting
ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for Test-
ing and Materials) specification D-975 Grade S15 will
40 STARTING AND OPERATING

provide good performance. If the vehicle is exposed to
extreme cold (below 20°F or -7°C), or is required to operate
at colder-than-normal conditions for prolonged periods,
use climatized No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel
fuel with 50% No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better
protection from fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel
filter.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending agent.
They can be unstable under certain conditions and
hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel fuel.
Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To prevent
fuel system trouble, drain the accumulated water from the
fuel/water separator using the fuel/water separator drain
provided on the fuel filter housing. If you buy good quality
fuel and follow the cold weather advice above, fuel condi-
tioners should not be required in your vehicle. If available
in your area, a high cetane “premium” diesel fuel may offer
improved cold-starting and warm-up performance.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START engine before you drain the water from
the fuel filter(s) to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Fuel Specifications
This diesel engine has been developed to take advantage of
the high energy content and generally lower cost No. 2
Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel or No. 2 Ultra Low Sulfur
climatized diesel fuels.
NOTE:
• If you accidentally fill the fuel tank with gasoline on
your diesel vehicle, do not start the engine. Damage to
the engine and fuel system could occur. Please call your
authorized dealer for service.
• A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-975 may be used with your diesel engine
without any adjustments to regular service schedules.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 41

2. Insert DEF fill adapter/nozzle into DEF tank filler neck.
NOTE:
•The DEF 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.
• The DEF gauge may also not immediately update after a
refill if the temperature of the DEF fluid is below 12F
(-11C). The DEF line heater will possibly warm up the
DEF fluid and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is possible
that the gauge may not reflect the new fill level for
several drives.CAUTION!
• To avoid DEF spillage, and possible damage to the
DEF tank from overfilling, do not “top off” the DEF
tank after filling.
• DO NOT OVERFILL. DEF will freeze below 12ºF
(-11ºC). The DEF system is designed to work in
temperatures below the DEF freezing point, how-
ever, if the tank is overfilled and freezes, the system
could be damaged.
• When DEF is spilled, clean the area immediately
with water and use an absorbent material to soak up
the spills on the ground.
• Do not attempt to start your engine if DEF is acci-
dentally added to the diesel fuel tank as it can result
in severe damage to your engine, including but not
limited to failure of the fuel pump and injectors.
(Continued)
50 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
• Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or perform
repairs and service when necessary could result in
more costly repairs, damage to other components or
negatively impact vehicle performance. Immediately
have potential malfunctions examined by an autho-
rized dealership or qualified repair center.
• Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified fluid
for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends engine oils that meet the requirements of FCA
Material Standard MS-10902, and that are API CJ-4 certified
and meet the requirements of FCA LLC.
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check the
oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the
engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tempera-
ture, then wait for five minutes after engine shutdown to
check the oil.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 55

CAUTION!(Continued)
into the atmosphere. The durability of your engine and
life expectancy of this diesel particulate filter emission
device is highly dependent on the use of the correct
engine oil.
We recommend you use 5W-40 syntheticengine oil such as
MOPAR or Shell Rotella that meets FCA Material Standard
MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to the
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental additives.
Engine Oil Filter
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information. The engine
oil filter should be changed at every engine oil change.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service sta-
tion or governmental agency for advice on how and where
used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) pro-
vides a measure of protection. Do not remove the air
induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such
removal is necessary for repair or maintenance. Make
sure that no one is near the engine compartment before
starting the vehicle with the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result
in serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
All air entering the engine intake must be filtered. The
abrasive particles in unfiltered air will cause rapid
wear to engine components.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 57

CAUTION!
Many aftermarket performance air filter elements do
not adequately filter the air entering the engine. Use of
such filters can severely damage your engine.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters varies
considerably. Only high quality filters should be used to
assure most efficient service. MOPAR engine air cleaner
filters are a high quality filter and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Inspection and
Replacement
Inspect engine air cleaner filter for dirt and or debris, if you
find evidence of either dirt or debris you should change
your air cleaner filter.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Removal
1. Release the spring clips from the air cleaner cover.2. Lift the air cleaner cover to access the air cleaner filter.
3.0 Diesel Air Cleaner Filter Cover
1 — Air Cleaner Filter Cover
2 — Spring Clips
58 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE