2017 Ram 3500 oil temperature

WARNING!
•Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or
confined area. Exhaust gas contains Carbon Monox-
ide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon
Monoxide is poisonous and can cause serious injury
or death when inhaled.
• Keep Remote Keyless Entry key fobs away from
children. Operation of the Remote Start System,
windows, door locks or other controls could cause
serious injury or death.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The diesel engine does not require a break-in period due to
its construction. Normal operation is allowed, providing
the following recommendations are followed:
• Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged periods.
• Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent engine
lugging. •
Observe vehicle oil pressure and temperature indicators.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carrying
or towing significant weight.
NOTE: Light duty operation such as light trailer towing or
no load operation will extend the time before the engine is
at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and power may be
seen at this time.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil changes
should be consistent with anticipated climate conditions
under which vehicle operations will occur. The recom-
mended viscosity and quality grades are shown under
“Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts”, under “Maintain-
ing Your Vehicle” in this manual. NON-DETERGENT OR
STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

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.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 15

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.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 17

•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
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low Refill
Soon
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF
• Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF
• Service DEF System See Dealer
• Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXX mi Service DEF See
Dealer
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See DealerVehicle Information (Customer Information
Features)
Vehicle Information Submenus
•Battery Voltage
Displays the actual battery voltage.
• Fuel Filter Life
Displays the life of the fuel filter.
• Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
• Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
• Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission sump temperature.
• Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
• Tire Pressure Monitor System
Displays the actual tire pressure.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 27

2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing theENGINE START/STOP button once.
NOTE: A delay of the start of up to five seconds is possible
under very cold conditions. The Wait to Starttelltale will
be illuminated during the pre-heat process, When the
engine Wait To Start light goes off the engine will auto-
matically crank.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
3. The system will automatically engage the starter to crank the engine. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter
will disengage automatically after 25 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push the button again.
5. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
6. Release the parking brake.
Extreme Cold Weather
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in the
water jacket of the engine. It requires a 110–115 Volt AC
electrical 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 overnight or longer periods and should be
plugged in two hours prior to start. Its use is required for
cold starts with temperatures under -20°F (-28°C).
NOTE: The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are
available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
• A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids in
preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
• A Diesel Pre-Heat system both improves engine starting
and reduces the amount of white smoke generated by a
warming engine.
Starting Fluids
The engine is equipped with a glow plug preheating
system. If the instructions in this manual are followed, the
engine should start in all conditions and no type of starting
fluid should be used.
34 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the “OFF” mode, remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• 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 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 of 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.
NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the diesel engine is operating.
• All message center lights are off.
• Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is off.
• Engine Oil Pressure telltale is not illuminated.
• Voltmeter operation:
The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at various
engine temperatures. This is caused by the glow plug
heating system. The number of cycles and the length of the
cycling operation is controlled by the engine control mod-
ule. Glow plug heater operation can run for several min-
utes, once the heater operation is complete the voltmeter
needle will stabilize.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 35

NOTE:
•Use of Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or
Number 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
• Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of
Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.
• The fuel grade should be clearly marked on the pump at
the fuel station.
• The engine requires the use of “Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel
Fuel”. Use of incorrect fuel could result in engine and
exhaust system damage. Refer to “Fuel Requirements”
in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
• If climatized or diesel Number 1 ULSD fuel is not
available, and you are operating below (20°F/-6°C), in
sustained arctic conditions, Mopar Premium Diesel Fuel
Treatment (or equivalent) is recommended to avoid
gelling (see Fuel Operating Range Chart).
Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for the correct engine oil viscosity.
Winter Front Usage
A winter front or cold weather cover is to be used in
ambient temperatures below 32°F (0°C), especially during
extended idle conditions. This cover is equipped with four
flaps for managing total grille opening in varying ambient
temperatures. If a winter front or cold weather cover is to
be used the flaps should be in the full open position to
allow air flow to the charge air cooler and automatic
transmission oil cooler. When ambient temperatures drop
Winter Front Cover
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 37

below 0°F (-17°C) the four flaps need to be closed. A
suitable cold weather cover is available from your MOPAR
dealer.
Engine Warm-Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine is cold. When
starting a cold engine, bring the engine up to operating
speed slowly to allow the oil pressure to stabilize as the
engine warms up.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine at
moderate speeds for five minutes before full loads are
applied.
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber tem-
peratures can drop so low that the fuel may not burncompletely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings, cylinder head valves, and
injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the
crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
Stopping The Engine
After full load operation, idle the engine for a few minutes
before shutting it down. This idle period will allow the
lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat away from
the turbocharger.
NOTE:
Refer to the following chart for proper engine
shutdown.
Driving Condition LoadTurbocharger Temperature Idle Time (min.) Before
Engine Shutdown
Stop and Go EmptyCoolNone
Stop and Go Medium 0.5
Highway Speeds MediumWarm 1.0
City Traffic Maximum GCWR 1.5
38 STARTING AND OPERATING