2017 Ram 3500 warning light

will automatically downshift (for engine braking) when the
throttle is closed and/or during steady braking maneu-
vers.
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode has
been activated. Pushing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. Normal operation is always the default
at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the
switch must be pushed each time the engine is started.WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving in
icy or slippery conditions. The increased engine brak-
ing can cause the rear wheels to slide, and the vehicle
to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle
control, which may cause an accident possibly result-
ing in personal injury or death.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly different
feeling or response during normal operation in the upper
gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during some
accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
TOW/HAUL Switch
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STARTING AND OPERATING 149

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
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
filters.
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 both fuel filters. If you buy good quality fuel
and follow the cold weather advice above, fuel condition-
ers 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
The Cummins 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. Experience has shown that it
also operates on No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuels or
other fuels within specification.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 157

NOTE:Ensure funnel is inserted fully to hold flapper door
open.
3. Pour fuel into funnel opening.
4. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting back in the jack kit.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
• Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regulations
and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator Light” to
turn on.
• A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:
• When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank
is full.
Emergency Fuel Fill Location
162 STARTING AND OPERATING

JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from battery
vent holes. Always wear eye protection when work-
ing with batteries.
• Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 Volt system, i.e., do
not use a 24 Volt power source.
NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal size
to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12 Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper
cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmission
in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If the indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.CAUTION!
Use the jump start procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is light or yel-
low. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a green
dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of booster battery and the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the discharged battery.
NOTE: Do not connect jumper cables to the fuses. Only
use the jump post when connecting jumper cables.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this could
establish a ground connection and personal injury
could result.
170 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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