2017 Ram 3500 stop start

WARNING!(Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number
of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the trans-
mission gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in
a location accessible to children), and do not leave
the ignition (in a vehicle equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go) in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the transmission gear selector out of
PARK, you must turn the ignition to the ON/RUN
mode, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise,
damage to the gear selector could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can
damage the drivetrain. The following indicators should be used to ensure that you
have engaged the transmission into the PARK position:
•
When shifting into PARK, pull the gear selector toward
you and move it all the way counterclockwise until it
stops.
• Release the gear selector and make sure it is fully seated
in the PARK gate.
• Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position (P).
• With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift the
transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
144 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a sig-
nificant additional heat load on the cooling system. Down-
shifting the transmission to the lowest possible gear (when
climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL (when stopped
in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this excess heat
generation.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be
modified depending on engine and transmission tempera-
ture as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm
up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maxi-
mum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch
is inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to
the “Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this sec-
tion). On Pickup models with 68RFE transmission, top
overdrive gear is also inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm, and during extremely cold temperatures (-16°F
[-27°C] or below), operation may briefly be limited to first
and direct gears only. On trucks with AS69RC transmis-
sion, fifth and sixth gears may be inhibited briefly on cold
starts below 41°F (5°C), and during very cold temperatures
(-4°F [-20°C] or below), operation may briefly be limited to
third gear only. During this condition, the ability of the vehicle to accelerate under heavily loaded conditions may
be reduced. In all cases, normal operation will resume once
the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for ab-
normal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth gear (for 68RFE transmission) or third gear (for
AS69RC transmission) regardless of which forward gear is
selected. If an AS69RC-equipped truck enters Limp Home
Mode at highway speeds, it will initially engage fifth gear,
until the vehicle slows to a speed where third gear can be
engaged. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue
to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without damag-
ing the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
146 STARTING AND OPERATING

Maximum Recommended Downshifting Speeds
Gear Selection 6 to 55 to 44 to 33 to 22 to 1
Maximum Speed 68 mph
(109 km/h) 50 mph
(80 km/h) 32 mph
(51 km/h) 19 mph
(31 km/h) 10 mph
(16 km/h)
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift at
too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may cause
the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is selected
and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to the clutch
and the transmission can result from skipping a gear
while downshifting or downshifting at too high of a
vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal is held pressed
(i.e., not released).
Reverse Shifting
To shift into REVERSE (R), bring the vehicle to a complete
stop. Press the clutch and pause briefly to allow the gear
train to stop rotating. Beginning from the NEUTRAL (N)
position, move the gear selector in one quick smooth
motion straight across and into the REVERSE (R) area (the
driver will feel a firm “click” as the shifter passes the
“knock-over”). Complete the shift by pulling the gear
selector into REVERSE (R). The “knock-over” prevents the driver from accidentally
entering the REVERSE (R) shift area and warns the driver
that they are about to shift the transmission into REVERSE
(R). Due to this feature, a slow shift to REVERSE (R) can be
perceived as a high shift effort.
To shift out of REVERSE bring the vehicle to a complete
stop and press the clutch. Shifting out of REVERSE prior to
a complete stop may cause high shift effort.
AUXILIARY SWITCHES — IF EQUIPPED
There can be up to five auxiliary switches located in the
lower switch bank of the instrument panel which can be
used to power various electronic devices and PTO (Power
Take Off) – If Equipped. If Power Take Off is equipped, it
will take the place of the fifth Auxiliary switch. Connec-
tions to the switches are found under the hood in the
connectors attached to the auxiliary Power Distribution
Center.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 153

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.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•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.
• Never add anything other than DEF to the tank –
especially any form of hydrocarbon such as diesel
fuel, fuel system additives, gasoline, or any other
petroleum-based product. Even a very small amount
of these, less than 100 parts per million or less than
1 oz. per 78 gallons (295 liters) will contaminate the
entire DEF system and will require replacement. If
owners use a container, funnel or nozzle when refill-
ing the tank, it should either be new or one that is
has only been used for adding DEF. MOPAR pro-
vides an attachable nozzle with its DEF for this
purpose.
3. Stop filling the DEF tank immediately when any of the following happen: DEF stops flowing from the fill bottle
into the DEF tank, DEF splashes out the filler neck, or a
DEF pump nozzle automatically shuts off.
Filling The DEF Tank
166 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. Install the air cleaner cover onto the housing assemblylocating tabs.
3. Install screws to secure the air cleaner cover to the housing assembly.
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter
There are two fuel filter assemblies. One is located on the
driver’s side of the engine. The best access to this water
drain valve is from under the hood. The second one is on
the under body, located in front of the rear axle above the
drive shaft on pick-up models. The Chassis Cab models
second filter location is on the frame behind the front axle.
The best access to this water drain valve is from under the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Do not drain the fuel/water separator filter when the
engine is running.
• Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
If water is detected in the water separator while the engine
is running, or while the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illumi-
nate and an audible chime will be heard five times. At this point you should stop the engine and drain the water from
both of the filters.
CAUTION!
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage.
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” comes on and a single
chime is heard while you are driving, or with the ignition
switch in the ON position, there may be a problem with
your water separator wiring or sensor. See your authorized
dealer for service.
Upon proper draining of the water from both fuel filters,
the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will remain illuminated
for approximately 10 seconds. If the water was drained
while the engine was running, the “Water In Fuel Indicator
Light” may remain on for approximately three minutes.
NOTE: Care should be taken in disposing of used fluids
from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately discarded,
can present a problem to the environment. Contact an
authorized dealer, service station, or government agency
for advice on recycling programs and for where used fluids
and filters can be properly disposed of in your area.
184 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE