2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab instrument panel

When the vehicle is turned off, be sure to unplug any
equipment as to not drain the battery of the vehicle. All
accessories connected to the outlet(s) should be removed or
turned off when the vehicle is not in use to protect the
battery against discharge.
WARNING!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•Only devices designed for use in this type of outlet
should be inserted into any 12 Volt outlet.
• Do not touch with wet hands.
• Close the lid when not in use and while driving the
vehicle.
• If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an electric
shock and failure.
CAUTION!
• Many accessories that can be plugged in draw power
from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in use (i.e.,
cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough, the vehicle’s battery will discharge suffi-
ciently to degrade battery life and/or prevent the
engine from starting.
• Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will discharge the
battery even more quickly. Only use these intermit-
tently and with greater caution.
(Continued)
Power Outlet Fuse Locations
1 — F104 Fuse 20 A Yellow Power Outlet Center Console Bin / USB
Port (Charge Only)
2 — F90–F91 Fuse 20 A Yellow Power Outlet Rear Center Console
3 — F93 Fuse 20 A Yellow Cigar Lighter Instrument Panel 122 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!(Continued)
•After the use of high power draw accessories, or long
periods of the vehicle not being started (with acces-
sories still plugged in), the vehicle must be driven a
sufficient length of time to allow the generator to
recharge the vehicle’s battery.
Cigar Lighter And Ash Receiver — If Equipped
A removable cigar lighter and ash receiver are available.
For vehicles with a bench seat, the cup holder tray can be
used to hold the ash receiver.
Power Inverter — If Equipped
A 115 or 230 Volt (150 Watts Maximum) outlet is located on
the center stack of the instrument panel, to the right of the
radio. This outlet can power cellular phones, electronics
and other low power devices requiring power up to 150
Watts. Certain high-end video game consoles will exceed
this power limit, as will most power tools.
The power inverter is designed with built-in overload
protection. If the power rating of 150 Watts is exceeded, the
power inverter will automatically shut down. Once the
electrical device has been removed from the outlet the
inverter should automatically reset. To turn on the power outlet, simply plug in the device. The
outlet automatically turns off when the device is un-
plugged.
NOTE:
•
The Power Inverter will only turn on if the ignition is in
the ACC or ON/RUN position
• Due to built-in overload protection, the power inverter
will shut down if the power rating is exceeded.
Power Inverter Outlet
3
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 123

WARNING!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•Do not insert any objects into the receptacles.
• Do not touch with wet hands.
• Close the lid when not in use.
• If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an electric
shock and failure.
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.
You have the ability to configure the functionality of the
auxiliary switches via the instrument cluster display. All
switches can now be configured for setting the switch type
operation to latching or momentary, power source of either
battery or ignition, and ability to hold last state across key
cycles. NOTE:
Holding last state conditions are met when switch
type is set to latching and power source is set to ignition.
For further information on using the auxiliary switches,
please refer to the Ram Body Builders Guide by accessing
www.rambodybuilder.com and choosing the appropriate
links.
124 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
BASE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ..............126
▫ Base Instrument Cluster Descriptions .........126
 PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ..........128
▫ Premium Instrument Cluster Descriptions .....128
 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY ...........130
▫ Instrument Cluster Display Controls .........131
▫ Display Menu Screens ...................133
▫ Oil Life Reset ......................... .135
▫ Display Messages ...................... .136
▫ Display Menu Items .....................138
▫ Battery Saver On/Battery Saver Mode Message —
Electrical Load Reduction Actions —
If Equipped ......................... .145
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES .........147
▫ Red Warning Lights .....................147
▫ Yellow Warning Lights ...................150
▫ Yellow Indicator Lights ...................154
▫ Green Indicator Lights ...................155
▫ White Indicator Lights ...................156
▫ Blue Indicator Lights ....................156
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . . .156
▫ Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity ........................ .157
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS .......................... .1574

BASE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Base Instrument Cluster Descriptions
1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000). 2. Instrument Cluster Display
•When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the instrument cluster display messages. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Base Instrument Clusters
126 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

3. Speedometer•Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Fuel Gauge •The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
•
The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the
vehicle where the fuel door is located.
5. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be
allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.
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 “Servicing And Mainte-
nance.” Follow the warnings under the Cooling System
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.
4
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 127

PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Premium Instrument Cluster Descriptions
1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000). 2. Voltmeter
•When the engine is running, the gauge indicates the
electrical system voltage. The pointer should stay
within the normal range if the battery is charged. If the
Premium Instrument Clusters
128 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical
system should be serviced.
NOTE: The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at
various engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold heater
system. The number of cycles and the length of the cycling
operation is controlled by the engine control module.
Post-heat operation can run for several minutes, and then
the electrical system and voltmeter needle will stabilize.
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 is in the ON/RUN position.
•
The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the
vehicle where the fuel door is located.
6. Instrument Cluster Display
•When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the instrument cluster display messages. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
7. Temperature Gauge •The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be
allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.4
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129