2017 Ram 3500 service

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

6. Instrument Cluster Display•When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Instrument Cluster Display messages. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
7. 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.
NOTE:
• The DEF tank on these vehicles is designed with a large
amount of full reserve. So the level sensor will indicate a
full reading even before the tank is completely full. To
put it another way, there’s additional storage capacity in
the tank above the Full mark that’s not represented in
the gauge. You may not see any movement in the
reading – even after driving up to 2,000 miles in some
cases. •
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.
• 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.
• Outside temperature can affect DEF consumption. In
cold conditions, 12° F (-11° C) and below, the DEF gauge
needle can stay on a fixed position and may not move
for extended periods of time. This is a normal function of
the system.
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
(Continued)
106 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!(Continued)
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.
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
IMPORTANT: The warning / indicator lights switch on in
the instrument panel together with a dedicated message
and/or acoustic signal when applicable. These indications are indicative and precautionary and as such must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or alternative to the infor-
mation contained in the Owner ’s Manual, which you are
advised to read carefully in all cases. Always refer to the
information in this chapter in the event of a failure indica-
tion.
All active telltales will display first if applicable. The
system check menu may appear different based upon
equipment options and current vehicle status. Some tell-
tales are optional and may not appear.
Yellow Telltale Indicator Lights
Wait To Start Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
Wait To Start Light
The “Wait To Start” telltale will illuminate for approximately two seconds when the ignition is
turned to the RUN position. It’s duration may be longer based on colder operating conditions.
Vehicle will not initiate start until telltale is no longer displayed. Refer to “Starting Procedures”
in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
NOTE:
The “Wait To Start” telltale may not illuminate if the intake manifold temperature is
warm enough.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 107

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