2017 Ram 4500 Chassis Cab service indicator

Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to
help you in determining when your tires should be re-
placed.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes a 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm). When the tread isworn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be
replaced. Refer to “Replacement Tires” in this section for
further information.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors
including, but not limited to:
•
Driving style.
• Tire pressure - Improper cold tire inflation pressures can
cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the tire
tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread
life, resulting in the need for earlier tire replacement.
• Distance driven.
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating of V or
higher, and Summer tires typically have a reduced tread
life. Rotation of these tires per the vehicle maintenance
schedule is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
(Continued)
Tire Tread
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 383

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors the
performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic trans-
mission control systems. When these systems are operating
properly, your vehicle will provide excellent performance
and fuel economy, as well as engine emissions well within
current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Although
your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need towing,
see your authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions tests
can be performed.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•If the MIL is flashing, while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) Cybersecurity
Your vehicle is required to have an Onboard Diagnostic
system (OBD II) and a connection port to allow access to
information related to the performance of your emissions
controls. Authorized service technicians may need to ac-
cess this information to assist with the diagnosis and
service of your vehicle and emissions system.
WARNING!
• ONLY an authorized service technician should con-
nect equipment to the OBD II connection port in
order to diagnose or service your vehicle.
• If unauthorized equipment is connected to the OBD
II connection port, such as a driver-behavior tracking
device, it may:
• Be possible that vehicle systems, including safety
related systems, could be impaired or a loss of
(Continued)
448 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
vehicle control could occur that may result in an
accident involving serious injury or death.
• Access, or allow others to access, information
stored in your vehicle systems, including personal
information.
For further information, refer to “Privacy Practices — If
Equipped With Uconnect 8.4 Radio” and “Uconnect Cy-
berSecurity” in “All About Uconnect Access” in your
Owner ’s Manual Radio Supplement and “Cybersecurity”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that
the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly installed,
or damaged, a loose gascap indicator will dis-
play in the instrument cluster telltale display
area. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and push the SELECT button to turn off the message. If the problem continues,
the message will appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an
inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the OBD II system is
ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not ready
for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 449

Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which you
can use prior to going to the test station. To check if your
vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the follow-
ing:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do notcrank or start the engine.
NOTE: If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the “Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” symbol come on as part of a normal bulb check.
3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will happen:
• The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then return
to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF the igni-
tion or start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s
OBD II system is not readyand you should notproceed
to the I/M station. •
The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you place the ignition in the off posi-
tion or start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s
OBD II system is readyand you can proceed to the I/M
station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your vehicle
as you normally would in order for your OBD II system to
update. A recheck with the above test routine may then
indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPAR parts for normal/scheduled main-
tenance and repairs is highly recommended to ensure the
designed performance. Damage or failures caused by the
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Oil Change Required” message is displayed.
Severe Operating Conditions can cause the change oil
message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km)
since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.Gasoline Engines:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed
8,000 miles (13,000 km), twelve months or 350 hours of
engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350 hours of
engine run or idle time is generally only a concern for fleet
customers.
Severe Duty:
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment or is
operated predominately at idle or very low engine RPM’s.
This type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•
Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic transmis-
sion and fill as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
504 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Inverter Outlet (115V)...................... .177
Jack Location ............................ .429
Jump Starting ............................ .436
Key Fob Programming Additional Key Fobs .............18
Key Fob Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) .....24
Key Fob Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) ......21
Key Fob, Remote Keyless Entry .................21
Key-In Reminder ............................16
Keyless Enter-N-Go ..................... .34, 322
Lock The Vehicle’s Doors ................247, 264
Passive Entry ............................34
Passive Entry Programming ...........34, 247, 264
Keyless Entry System ........................21
Key, Replacement ...........................18
Keys ....................................11
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ......................17
Lane Change And Turn Signals .................137
Lane Change Assist ........................ .138
Latches ..................................98
Lead Free Gasoline ........................ .396
Leaks, Fluid ...............................98 Life Of Tires
............................. .383
Light Bulbs ................................98
Lights ............................... .98, 129
AirBag ......................... .55, 96, 201
Automatic Headlights .....................130
Brake Assist Warning ..................... .360
Brake Warning ......................... .202
Bulb Replacement .....................493, 494
Cap Top Clearance ...................... .498
Cargo................................ .137
Center Mounted Stop ..................... .496
Courtesy/Reading .................135, 136, 164
Cruise ......................... .220, 221, 222
Daytime Running ....................... .131
Engine Temperature Warning ................204
Exterior ................................98
Fog........................... .133, 216, 496
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator .................341
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................426
Headlights ............................ .130
High

Beam ............................ .138
High Beam/Low Beam Select ................138
Hill Descent Control Indicator ...............362
Illuminated Entry .........................21
Interior ..................... .134, 135, 136, 164
522 INDEX

Low Fuel............................. .214
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ..........208
Park ................................. .219
Passing ............................... .138
Seat Belt Reminder ...................... .201
Security Alarm ......................... .203
Service ............................ .493, 494
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ..........212, 389
Traction Control ........................ .360
Transfer Case .......................... .341
Turn Signal ....................98, 137, 220, 494
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . .204, 220
Limited-Slip Differential ..................346, 478
Loading Vehicle ........................... .401
Tires................................. .371
Load Shed Battery Saver Mode ...................... .236
Battery Saver On ........................ .236
Electrical Load Reduction ...................236
Intelligent Battery Sensor ...................236
Locks ....................................30
Automatic Door ..........................32
Child Protection ..........................33
Door ..................................30
Power Door .............................32 Low Tire Pressure System
.....................389
Lubrication, Body ......................... .465
Lug Nuts ......................... .427, 433, 434
Maintenance Free Battery .....................457
Maintenance Procedures ..................... .451
Maintenance Schedule ...................... .504
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .208, 449
Manual, Service ........................... .514
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ....................... .478
Memory Seat ............................. .124
Methanol ............................... .397
Mirrors ................................. .103
Electric

Powered .........................111
Heated ................................112
Memory .............................. .124
Outside ...............................110
Rearview ....................... .103, 104, 109
Trailer Towing ...........................113
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................389
MOPAR Parts ......................... .450, 513
MTBE/ETBE ............................. .397
10
INDEX 523