2020 Ram 1500 engine overheat

STARTING AND OPERATING 421
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheating,
activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly areas, or
select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speeddrops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until you
can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over -
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed. Highway Driving
• Reduce speed
• Temporarily turn off air conditioning
Air Suspension System

To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle, the air
suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air Suspension
System” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.

NOTE:
The vehicle must remain in the engine running position
while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of the air suspen
-
sion system.
SNOWPLOW
NOTE:
Do not use this model vehicle for snowplow applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows and other aftermarket equipment should not
be added to the front end of your vehicle. The airbag
crash sensors may be affected by the change in the front
end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpectedly or
could fail to deploy during a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
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2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 421

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 475
If frequent jump starting is required to start your vehicle you
should have the battery and charging system inspected at an
authorized dealer.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the poten-
tial for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in NEUTRAL (N), 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.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in use
(i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough without engine operation, the vehicle’s battery
will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life and/or
prevent the engine from starting.
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.6
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478 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled
vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.)” in the “Starting And
Operating” section.
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the Active-Level Four Corner Air
Suspension System must be placed in Transport mode,
before tying them down (from the body) on a trailer or
flatbed truck. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport
mode (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be
fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow these
instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or cause loss
of proper tie-down tension.
Refer to "Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension System
— If Equipped" in "Starting And Operating" for more infor-
mation.
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.

CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at least one
minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will
minimize overheating and reduce the risk of transmission
failure during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between DRIVE 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 transmission shifting occur-
ring).

2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 478

506 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control systems can
result in civil penalties being assessed against you.
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 interrupt the ignition when the transmission is in
gear and the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not try to start the vehicle by pushing or towing the vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any ignition components disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic testing,
or for prolonged periods during very rough idle or
malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if yourvehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In the
event of engine malfunction, particularly involving
engine misfire or other apparent loss of performance,
have your vehicle serviced promptly. Continued opera -
tion of your vehicle with a severe malfunction could
cause the converter to overheat, resulting in possible
damage to the converter and vehicle. CAUTION!
(Continued)
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 open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away from the radiator cooling fan when the hood is raised. The fan
starts automatically and may start at any time, whether
the engine is running or not.
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 506

660
Differential, Limited Slip ....................................................... 332
Disable Vehicle Towing ......................................................... 478
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .............................................. 509
Do Not Disturb ........................................................................ 646
Door Ajar.......................................................................... 182, 183
Door Ajar Light ............................................................... 182, 183
Door Locks Automatic ............................................................................... 41
Doors........................................................................................... 35
Drag And Drop Menu ............................................................ 557
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt .............................................................. 42
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ..................................................................................... 427
Dual Rear Wheels ................................................................... 547 E
Electric Brake Control System ............................................... 199 Anti-Lock Brake System ..................................................... 198
Electronic Roll Mitigation .......................................... 200, 210
Electric Parking Brake ............................................................ 297
Electrical Power Outlets......................................................... 128
Electronic Range Select (ERS)................................................ 309
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control).......................... 337
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ........................................ 201
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light ......................... 181 Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ............................311, 314
Emergency, In Case Of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ..............................................477Hazard Warning Flasher ....................................................431
Jump Starting .......................................................................472
Emission Control System Maintenance ...............................196
Engine .......................................................................................487 Air Cleaner ...........................................................................494
Block Heater .........................................................................296
Break-In Recommendations...............................................297Compartment .......................................................487, 488, 489Compartment Identification ..............................487, 488, 489Coolant (Antifreeze)............................................................ 554
Exhaust Gas Caution................................................... 286, 552Fails To Start.........................................................................295
Flooded, Starting .................................................................295
Fuel Requirements ......................................................548, 553
Jump Starting .......................................................................472Oil ..........................................................................492, 553, 554
Oil Filler Cap ................................................................487, 493
Oil Filter ................................................................................494Oil Selection .................................................................492, 553
Oil Synthetic .........................................................................493
Overheating..........................................................................475
Starting..................................................................................292
Engine Oil Viscosity................................................................493
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665
Capacity ................................................................................ 553
Change Interval ................................................................... 492Dipstick................................................................................. 490
Disposal ................................................................................ 494
Filter .............................................................................. 494, 554
Filter Disposal ...................................................................... 494
Identification Logo.............................................................. 493Materials Added To ............................................................ 494
Pressure Warning Light ..................................................... 181
Recommendation ........................................................ 492, 553
Synthetic ............................................................................... 493Viscosity ....................................................................... 493, 553
Onboard Diagnostic System .................................................. 195
Operating Precautions............................................................ 195
Operator Manual Owner's Manual ............................................................ 14, 656
Outside Rearview Mirrors ....................................................... 61
Overheating, Engine ............................................................... 475 P
Paint Care ................................................................................. 539
Panic Alarm ............................................................................... 20
Parking Brake .......................................................................... 297
ParkSense System, Rear ......................................................... 361
Passive Entry ............................................................................. 37
Pedals, Adjustable..................................................................... 58
Personalized Main Menu ....................................................... 557 Pets ............................................................................................285
Pickup Box .......................................................................135, 136
Pinch Protection ..............................................................100, 104
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ..............................521
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses)........................................445, 449
Door Locks .............................................................................36
Mirrors ....................................................................................61
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ..........................128, 131 Seats.........................................................................................46
Side Steps................................................................................37
Sliding Rear Window............................................................97
Steering ...........................................................................61, 333 Sunroof............................................................................98, 101Windows.................................................................................94
Power Seats Down .......................................................................................46
Forward ..................................................................................46
Rearward ................................................................................46
Recline .....................................................................................46
Tilt............................................................................................46
Up ............................................................................................46
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts .......................................... 243
Pretensioners Seat Belts ...............................................................................243
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