2020 Ram 3500 engine coolant

STARTING AND OPERATING229
Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed
Parts
All engine failures give some warning before the
parts fail. Be on the alert for changes in
performance, sounds, and visual evidence that
the engine requires service. Some important
clues are:
Engine misfiring or vibrating severely.
Sudden loss of power.
Unusual engine noises.
Fuel, oil or coolant leaks.
Sudden change, outside the normal oper -
ating range, in the engine operating tempera -
ture.
Excessive smoke.
Oil pressure drop.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — GAS ENGINE (IF
EQUIPPED)
The engine block heater warms the engine, and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect
the cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC
electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire
extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed through
the grille by the right front tow hook.
It includes a removable cap that is secured by a
tethered strap. It also has a c-clip that is used
for storage when not in use for the Winter
months. During Winter months, remove the
heater cord wiring assembly from itself on the
c-clip.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at
least one hour to have an adequate warming
effect on the engine.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — DIESEL ENGINE
(IF EQUIPPED)
The engine block heater warms engine coolant
and permits quicker starts in cold weather.
Connect the heater cord to a ground-fault
interrupter protected 110–115 Volt AC
electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire
extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under
the hood to the right side and can be located
just behind the grille near the headlamp.
NOTE:
The engine block heater cord is a factory
installed option. If your vehicle is not equipped,
heater cords are available from an authorized
Mopar dealer.
The block heater must be plugged in at least
one hour to have an adequate warming effect
on the coolant.
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal
readings, shut the engine off immediately.
Failure to do so could result in immediate and
severe engine damage.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block
heater cord before driving. Damage to the
110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before
driving. Damage to the 110–115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
5

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230STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
BLOCK HEATER USAGE
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C),
engine block heater usage is recommended.
For ambient temperatures below –20°F
(-29°C), engine block heater usage is required.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GAS ENGINE
A long break-in period is not required for the
engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
(500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are
desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration
within the limits of local traffic laws contributes
to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle
acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and
should be avoided. 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. For the
recommended viscosity and quality grades,
refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical
Specifications”.
NOTE:
A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of opera
-
tion. This should be considered a normal part of
the break-in and not interpreted as a problem.
Please check your oil level with the engine oil
indicator often during the break in period. Add
oil as required.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
DIESEL ENGINE
The Cummins® Turbo 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 tempera -
ture indicators.
Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
Vary throttle position at highway speeds
when carrying or towing significant weight.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight
Mineral Oil in the engine or damage may
result.

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STARTING AND OPERATING233
(Continued)
NOTE:
For optimum braking power it is recommended
to use the exhaust brake while in TOW/HAUL
mode.
The exhaust brake feature can also be used to
reduce the engine warm up time. To use the
exhaust brake as a warm-up device, the vehicle
must be stopped or moving less than 5 mph
(8 km/h), the "Exhaust Brake Indicator" must be
on, and the coolant temperature must be below
180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below
60°F (16°C). Automatic “Smart” Exhaust Brake
Automatic “Smart” Exhaust Brake technology
delivers smoother, less aggressive exhaust
braking characteristics during downhill
descents. Although it can apply full exhaust
braking force if needed, Automatic “Smart”
Exhaust Brake may not apply obvious braking if
the vehicle speed is not increasing. Automatic
“Smart” Exhaust Brake is intended to maintain
vehicle speed, while Full Exhaust Brake is
intended to reduce vehicle speed.
Automatic “Smart” Exhaust Brake can be
enabled by pushing the exhaust brake button
(on the center stack) again anytime after the
normal Full Exhaust Brake has been turned on.
The “Exhaust Brake Indicator” in the instrument
cluster display will change from Yellow to Green
when Automatic “Smart” Exhaust Brake is
enabled. Pushing the exhaust brake button
again will toggle the exhaust brake mode to off.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARNING!
Do not use the exhaust brake feature when
driving in icy or slippery conditions as the
increased engine braking can cause the rear
wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing
around with the possible loss of vehicle
control, which may cause an accident
possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
CAUTION!
Use of aftermarket exhaust brakes is not
recommended and could lead to engine
damage
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substi
-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle
to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
Your vehicle could move and injure you and
others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to
move the transmission gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released. Make
sure the transmission is in PARK before
exiting the vehicle.
The transmission may not engage PARK if
the vehicle is moving. Always bring the
vehicle to a complete stop before shifting to
PARK, and verify that the transmission gear
position indicator solidly indicates PARK (P)
without blinking. Ensure that the vehicle is
completely stopped, and the PARK position
is properly indicated, before exiting the
vehicle.
5

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244STARTING AND OPERATING
available gears. Tapping the ERS (-) switch will
activate ERS mode, display the current gear in
the instrument cluster, and set that gear as the
top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping
the ERS (-) or (+) switch will change the top
available gear.

Electronic Range Select

To exit ERS mode, simply push and hold the ERS
(+) switch until the gear limit display disappears
from the instrument cluster. NOTE:
To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply push and
hold the ERS (-) switch. The transmission will
shift to the range from which the vehicle can
best be slowed down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an
electronically controlled Overdrive (fifth and
sixth gears). The transmission will automatically
shift into Overdrive if the following conditions
are present:
The gear selector is in the DRIVE position.
The transmission fluid has reached an
adequate temperature.
The engine coolant has reached an adequate
temperature.
The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
The driver is not heavily pressing the acceler
-
ator.
1 — GEAR + Switch
2 — GEAR – Switch
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle
could skid, causing a collision or personal
injury.
Transmis -
sion Gear
Limit
Display 1 2 3 4 5 6 D
Actual
Gear(s)
Allowed
1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while
descending steep grades, be careful not to
overspeed the engine. Apply the brakes as
needed to prevent engine overspeed.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 244

STARTING AND OPERATING245
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, etc., and frequent
transmission shifting occurs, push the TOW/
HAUL switch to activate TOW/HAUL mode. This
will improve performance and reduce the
potential for transmission overheating or failure
due to excessive shifting. When operating in
TOW/HAUL mode, transmission upshifts are
delayed, and the transmission will
automatically downshift (for engine braking)
when the throttle is closed and/or during steady
braking maneuvers.

TOW/HAUL Switch
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate
in the instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/
HAUL mode has been activated. Pushing the
switch a second time restores normal
operation. Normal operation is always the
default at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pushed each time
the engine is started.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy
has been included in the automatic
transmission on your vehicle. A clutch within the
torque converter engages automatically at
calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in the upper gears. When the vehicle
speed drops or during some accelerations, the
clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
The torque converter clutch will not engage,
until the transmission fluid and engine
coolant are warm [usually after 1 to 3 miles
(2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because engine speed
is higher when the torque converter clutch is
not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis
-
sion is not shifting properly when cold. This is
normal. Using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control, when the transmission is
sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of
Overdrive.
If the vehicle has not been driven for several
days, the first few seconds of operation after
shifting the transmission into gear may seem
sluggish. This is due to the fluid partially
draining from the torque converter into the
transmission. This condition is normal and
will not cause damage to the transmission.
The torque converter will refill within five
seconds after starting the engine.
WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when
driving in icy or slippery conditions. The
increased engine braking can cause the rear
wheels to slide, and the vehicle to swing
around with the possible loss of vehicle
control, which may cause an accident
possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
5

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380IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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. Then
shift back and forth between DRIVE (D) and
REVERSE (R), while gently pressing the
accelerator. Use the least amount of
accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain
the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels
or racing the engine.
NOTE:
For trucks equipped with an 8–speed trans -
mission, shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE
can only be achieved at wheel speeds of
5 mph (8 km/h) or less. Whenever the trans -
mission remains in NEUTRAL (N) for more
than two seconds, you must press the brake
pedal to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
Push the “ESC OFF” switch, to place the Elec -
tronic Stability Control (ESC) system in
“Partial Off” mode, before rocking the
vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Safety” for further information.
Once the vehicle has been freed, push the
“ESC OFF” switch again to restore “ESC On”
mode.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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads HOT (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 HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and
call for service.
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.

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385
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING — GAS ENGINE
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).

An 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 an authorized dealer, the
message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel”.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km),
12 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 All Models
NOTE:
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or
350 hours of engine run time if the vehicle is
operated in a dusty and off road environment or
is operated predominantly at idle, or only very
low engine RPM. 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 tire pressure and look for unusual
wear or damage. Rotate tires at the first sign
of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the
oil indicator system turns on.
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir,
brake master cylinder, power steering and
automatic transmission (six-speed only) and
fill as needed
Check function of all interior and exterior
lights7

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388SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Additional Maintenance
Replace cabin air filter. XX X XX XX
Replace engine air filter. XX XXX
Replace spark plugs.
1X
Flush and replace the engine coolant
at 10 years or 150,000 miles
(240,000 km) whichever comes first. X
X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, change
for any of the following: police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing. X
X
Change the transfer case fluid. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if
necessary. X
1. The spark plug change interval is mileage based only, yearly intervals do not apply.
Mileage or time passed (whichever
comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000

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