2017 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab overheating

Over The Road Operation With Snowplow Attached
The blade restricts air flow to the radiator and causes the
engine to operate at higher than normal temperatures.
Therefore, when transporting the plow, angle the blade
completely and position it as low as road or surface
conditions permit. Do not exceed 40 mph (64 km/h). The
operator should always maintain a safe stopping distance
and allow adequate passing clearance.
Operating Tips
Under ideal snow plowing conditions, 20 mph (32 km/h)
should be maximum operating speed. The operator should
be familiar with the area and surface to be cleaned. Reduce
speed and use extreme caution when plowing unfamiliar
areas or under poor visibility.
General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery ter-
minals clean and free of corrosion.
When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drivetrain
damage, the following precautions should be observed.
•Operate with transfer case in 4LO when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to exceed
15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in 4HI.
• Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4LO
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting the
transmission.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 417

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the upper
switch bank just below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic
of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to turn off
the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down. •
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If you
see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not
open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
426 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!(Continued)
in long enough without engine operation, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Next, shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd gear and
REVERSE (with manual transmission) while gently press-
ing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accelerator
pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking motion,
without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce the
risk of clutch or transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode, before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information. Once
the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Offswitch again
to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 439

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow hooks.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage
to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains
may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only to rescue a
vehicle stranded off-road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
440 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough idle
or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If you
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not
open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where appli-
cable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in
appearance, the system should be drained, flushed and
refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of the A/C
condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any accumulation
of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water
from a garden hose vertically down the face of the A/C
condenser (if equipped) or the back of the radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but not
running), check the cooling system pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of engine
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 471

Door LocksDoor Locks ..............................30
KeyFob................................30
Remote ................................30
Remote Keyless Entry ......................30
Door Locks, Automatic .......................32
Door Opener, Garage ....................... .165
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ................................ .348
Dual Rear Wheels ....................387, 427, 434
Electrical Power Outlets ..................... .172
Electric Rear Window Defrost ..................186
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ..............342
Electronic Brake Control System ................353
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................353
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...................361
Traction Control System ....................357
Electronic Range Select (ERS)..................332
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........145
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............358
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........205
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .......161
Emergency Brake .......................... .350Emergency, In Case Of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................439
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................426
Jump Starting .......................... .436
Tow Hooks ............................ .440
Emission Control System Maintenance ............449
Engine ................................. .447
Air Cleaner ............................ .454
Break-In Recommendations ................93, 94
Compartment Identification .................447
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .500
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................95, 399
Flooded, Starting ........................ .323
Fuel Requirements ....................... .396
Jump Starting .......................... .436
Oil .............................. .452,
500
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .453
Oil Filter .............................. .454
Oil Selection ........................... .452
Oil Synthetic ........................... .453
Overheating ........................... .426
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................ .453
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ..........68, 444
Entry System, Illuminated .....................21
Ethanol ................................. .39710
INDEX 519

Multi-Function Control Lever..................137
Navigation System (Uconnect GPS) ..............161
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................93, 94
Occupant Restraints .........................40
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .................396
Oil, Engine ........................... .452, 500
Capacity .............................. .499
Change Interval ........................ .452
Dipstick .............................. .452
Disposal .............................. .453
Filter ............................. .454, 500
Filter Disposal .......................... .453
Identification Logo ...................... .453
Pressure Warning Light ....................205
Recommendation ........................ .452
Synthetic ............................. .453
Viscosity .............................. .453
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .454
Oil Pressure Light ......................... .205
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................448
Operating Precautions ...................... .448
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ....................110 Overdrive
............................... .333
Overdrive OFF Switch ...................... .333
Overhead Console ......................... .164
Overheating, Engine ....................... .426
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,514
Paint Care ............................... .481
Panic Alarm ...............................24
Parking Brake ............................ .350
ParkSense System, Rear ...................148, 155
Passing Light ............................ .138
Passive Entry ..............................34
Pedals, Adjustable ......................... .142
Personalized Menu Bar ..................... .294
Personal

Settings .......................... .230
Pets .....................................93
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ........371, 372
Power Distribution Center (Fuses) ..................486
Door Locks ..............................32
Mirrors ................................111
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .........172, 177
Seats .................................115
Sliding Rear Window ..................... .187
Steering ........................... .349, 350
524 INDEX