2021 RAM 1500 Diesel Exhaust Fluid

4
SLIDE-IN CAMPERS .............................................97 Camper Applications ................................... 97
TRI-FOLD TONNEAU COVER — IF EQUIPPED .....97
Tonneau Cover Components....................... 97
Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Folding For
Driving Or Removal ...................................... 98 Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Installation ..........101
Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Cleaning ..............103
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
GASOLINE ........................................................... 104
Base / Midline Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Gasoline ............................105
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
GASOLINE ........................................................... 107
Premium Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Gasoline ............................108
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
DIESEL ................................................................. 109
Base / Midline Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Diesel ................................110
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
DIESEL ................................................................. 112
Premium Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Diesel ...............................113 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY..................... 114
Instrument Cluster Display Controls......... 114
Oil Life Reset .............................................. 115
Display Menu Items ................................... 116
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Messages .................................................. 121 Displays ...................................................... 123
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning
Messages ................................................... 123 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault
Warning Messages .................................... 124 Battery Saver On/Battery Saver Mode
Message — Electrical Load Reduction
Actions — If Equipped ................................ 125
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES ................126
Red Warning Lights ................................... 126
Yellow Warning Lights ............................... 129Yellow Indicator Lights .............................. 133
Green Indicator Lights ............................... 135White Indicator Lights ............................... 136Blue Indicator Lights.................................. 137
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II..... 137
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity ............................................. 138
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS .............................138
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE ..................................... 140
Automatic Transmission............................ 141AutoPark ..................................................... 141
Tip Start Feature ....................................... 143
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition................... 143
Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/
STOP Button — Gasoline Engine .............. 143 Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/
STOP Button — Diesel Engine .................. 144 Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F
Or −30°C) ................................................. 146 After Starting .............................................. 146Starting Fluids — Diesel Engine Only ........ 146
NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE ....... 146
Cold Weather Precautions ........................ 146
Engine Idling .............................................. 148Stopping The Engine ................................. 148
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED ....... 150
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GASOLINE ENGINE ........................................... 150
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
DIESEL ENGINE .................................................. 151
PARKING BRAKE ............................................... 151 Electric Park Brake (EPB) .......................... 151

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5
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION .......................... 154 Ignition Park Interlock ...............................155
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System .......................................................155 Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission.......156
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ...................................................... 161
Four-Position Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case — If Equipped ....................161 Five-Position Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case — If Equipped ....................163
ACTIVE-LEVEL FOUR CORNER AIR
SUSPENSION SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ........... 165 Description .................................................165
Air Suspension Modes...............................167
Instrument Cluster Display Messages......168Operation....................................................168
ACTIVE-LEVEL FOUR CORNER AIR
SUSPENSION SYSTEM (REBEL MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ....................................... 169 Description .................................................169
Air Suspension Modes...............................171
Instrument Cluster Display Messages......171Operation....................................................172
AXLE LOCK SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED .............. 173
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL —
IF EQUIPPED ....................................................... 174
POWER STEERING ............................................. 174 Electric Power Steering ............................174 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED......................................... 175
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ............ 175 Autostop Mode........................................... 175
Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
Autostop ..................................................... 175 To Start The Engine While In Autostop
Mode........................................................... 176 To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start
System ........................................................ 176 To Manually Turn On The Stop Start
System ........................................................ 177 System Malfunction................................... 177
CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS —
IF EQUIPPED ...................................................... 177
Cruise Control — If Equipped..................... 177Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) —
If Equipped ................................................. 179
PARKSENSE FRONT/REAR PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ....................................189
ParkSense Sensors ................................... 190
ParkSense Warning Display ...................... 190
ParkSense Display ..................................... 190
Enabling And Disabling Front And/Or
Rear ParkSense ......................................... 193 Service The ParkSense Park Assist
System ........................................................ 193 Cleaning The ParkSense System.............. 194
ParkSense System Usage Precautions .... 194 PARKSENSE ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ................................... 195
Enabling And Disabling The ParkSense
Active Park Assist System ......................... 196 Parallel/Perpendicular Parking Space
Assistance Operation ................................ 197
LANESENSE — IF EQUIPPED ........................... 199
LaneSense Operation................................ 199
Turning LaneSense On Or Off ................... 200
LaneSense Warning Message .................. 200Changing LaneSense Status..................... 202
PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA ............. 202
AUX Camera — If Equipped ...................... 204
SURROUND VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED ........................................................... 204
AUX Camera — If Equipped ...................... 208
REFUELING THE VEHICLE — GASOLINE
ENGINE ................................................................ 208
REFUELING THE VEHICLE — DIESEL
ENGINE ............................................................... 210
Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ............... 210Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel ............... 210Diesel Exhaust Fluid .................................. 211
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage .................... 211Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid ..................... 211

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7
OFF-ROAD PAGES — IF EQUIPPED .................. 307 Off-Road Pages Status Bar .......................307
Vehicle Dynamics.......................................308
Accessory Gauge........................................308
Pitch & Roll .................................................308
Suspension ................................................309
RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES.... 309
Regulatory And Safety Information........... 309
SAFETY
SAFETY FEATURES ............................................ 310 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................. 310
Electronic Brake Control (EBC) System ...311
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS ........................ 318
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) —
If Equipped ................................................318 Forward Collision Warning (FCW) With
Mitigation — If Equipped............................324 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) ........................................................ 327
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .................. 334
Occupant Restraint Systems Features ....334
Important Safety Precautions ...................334Seat Belt Systems ..................................... 335Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) ...342Child Restraints..........................................355 SAFETY TIPS ....................................................... 369
Transporting Passengers .......................... 369Transporting Pets ...................................... 369
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
The Vehicle ................................................ 369 Periodic Safety Checks You Should
Make Outside The Vehicle ........................ 371 Exhaust Gas .............................................. 371
Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...................... 372IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS........................373
ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED .... 373
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING .......................377 Preparations For Jacking........................... 377
Jack Location ............................................. 378
Removal Of Jack And Tools ....................... 378
Removing The Spare Tire .......................... 380Jacking Instructions ................................... 381
To Stow The Flat Or Spare ........................ 384
Reinstalling The Jack And Tools ............... 385
JUMP STARTING ................................................ 386
Preparations For Jump Start ..................... 386Jump Starting Procedure .......................... 387
REFUELING IN EMERGENCY –
IF EQUIPPED ...................................................... 389
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .........................389
MANUAL PARK RELEASE .................................. 390
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............................391 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ........................ 392
Two-Wheel Drive Models ........................... 393
Four-Wheel Drive Models .......................... 393
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 394
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) ................................................................ 394
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ....................... 394
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING — GASOLINE
ENGINE ............................................................... 395
Maintenance Plan ..................................... 395
SCHEDULED SERVICING — DIESEL ENGINE .. 399
Maintenance Plan — Diesel Fuel Up To
B5 Biodiesel .............................................. 400 Additional Maintenance — B6 To B20
Biodiesel..................................................... 403
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................................. 404
3.6L Engine With Stop/Start .................... 404
5.7L Engine Without Stop/Start ............... 4055.7L Engine With Stop/Start..................... 406
3.0L Diesel Engine .................................... 407Checking Oil Level ..................................... 408
Adding Washer Fluid ................................. 408Maintenance-Free Battery ....................... 409Pressure Washing...................................... 409

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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE .................................. 409 Engine Oil — Gas Engine ...........................410
Engine Oil Filter ..........................................410Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............................411
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter —
Diesel Engine ............................................412 Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter
Replacement — Diesel Engine ..................413 Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of
Fuel — Diesel Engine .................................414 Intervention Regeneration Strategy —
Message Process Flow (Diesel Engine) ....414 Diesel Exhaust Fluid ..................................415Air Conditioner Maintenance ....................415
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection................417Body Lubrication ........................................418
Windshield Wiper Blades ..........................418
Exhaust System ........................................420
Cooling System .........................................421
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler (Diesel
Engine)........................................................ 424 Brake System ............................................425
Automatic Transmission ...........................426
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle
Fluid Level .................................................426 Transfer Case ............................................427
FUSES .........................................................427
BULB REPLACEMENT ................................437 TIRES....................................................................443
Tire Safety Information .............................. 443
Tires — General Information ..................... 449Tire Types ................................................... 454
Spare Tires — If Equipped ......................... 455
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ..................... 456Snow Traction Devices .............................. 458
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............. 460
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .................. 460
Treadwear .................................................. 460
Traction Grades ......................................... 461
Temperature Grades ................................. 461
STORING THE VEHICLE ......................................461
BODYWORK ........................................................ 461
Protection From Atmospheric Agents....... 461
Body And Underbody Maintenance .......... 462Preserving The Bodywork .......................... 462
INTERIORS ......................................................... 464
Seats And Fabric Parts .............................. 464
Plastic And Coated Parts ........................... 465
Leather Surfaces ....................................... 465Glass Surfaces .......................................... 466
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ................ 467
BRAKE SYSTEM ................................................ 467
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................ 467
Torque Specifications ............................... 467
FUEL REQUIREMENTS — GASOLINE
ENGINE ............................................................... 468
3.6L Engine ............................................... 468
5.7L Engine ................................................ 469
Reformulated Gasoline ............................. 469
Materials Added To Fuel ........................... 469
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..................... 469
Do Not Use E-85 In Non-Flex Fuel
Vehicles ...................................................... 470 CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications .. 470Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl (MMT) In Gasoline .................. 470 Fuel System Cautions................................ 470
FUEL REQUIREMENTS – DIESEL ENGINE ....... 471
Diesel Fuel Specifications......................... 471
Biodiesel Fuel Requirements.................... 472
FLUID CAPACITIES ............................................ 474
ENGINE FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ................ 475
CHASSIS FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ............... 478

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15
Air Suspension Ride Height Lowering Indicator Light — If Equipped
Úpage 134
Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light Úpage 134
4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped Úpage 134
4WD Low Indicator Light — If Equipped Úpage 134
4WD High Indicator Light — If Equipped Úpage 134
NEUTRAL Indicator Light — If Equipped Úpage 134
Low Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Indicator Light — If Equipped
Ú page 134
Wait To Start Light — If Equipped Úpage 135
Yellow Indicator Lights
Water In Fuel Indicator Light — If Equipped
Úpage 135
Green Indicator Lights
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Set With Target
Light — If Equipped
Úpage 135
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Set With No
Target Detected Indicator Light — If Equipped
Úpage 135
ECO Mode Indicator Light Úpage 135
Park/Headlight On Indicator Light Úpage 135
LaneSense Indicator Light — If Equipped Úpage 137
Front Fog Indicator Light — If Equipped Úpage 136
Yellow Indicator Lights
1

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL111
5. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
6. Fuel Gauge
The gauge shows the level of fuel in the
fuel tank when the ignition switch is in
the ON/RUN position.
 The fuel pump symbol points to the
side of the vehicle where the fuel door
is located. 7. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Gauge
The DEF Gauge displays the actual level
of Diesel Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank.
DEF is required to maintain normal
vehicle operation and emissions compli
-
ance. If something is wrong with the
gauge, a DEF Warning Message or
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will be
displayed Ú page 123.
NOTE:
The gauge may take up to five seconds to
update after adding a gallon or more of
Diesel Exhaust Fluid to the DEF tank. If you
have a fault related to the DEF system, the
gauge may not update to the new level. See
an authorized dealer for service.
The DEF gauge may also not immediately
update after a refill if the temperature of the
DEF fluid is below 12°F (-11°C). The DEF line
heater will possibly warm up the DEF fluid
and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is
possible that the gauge may not reflect the
new fill level for several drives.
Outside temperature can affect DEF
consumption. In cold conditions, 12°F
(-11°C) and below, the DEF gauge needle
can stay on a fixed position and may not
move for extended periods of time. This is a
normal function of the system.
3

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL113
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
D
ESCRIPTIONS — DIESEL

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 Ú page 114.

Instrument Cluster Display/Controls Location

The display always show one of the main
menu item after ignition on. 3. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the
fuel tank when the ignition switch is in
the ON/RUN position.
 The fuel pump symbol points to the
side of the vehicle where the fuel filler
door is located.
5. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Gauge
The DEF Gauge displays the actual level
of Diesel Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank.
DEF is required to maintain normal
vehicle operation and emissions compli -
ance. If something is wrong with the
gauge, a DEF Warning Message or
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will be
displayed Ú page 123.
NOTE:
The DEF tank on these vehicles is designed
with a large amount of full reserve. So the
level sensor will indicate a full reading even
before the tank is completely full. To put it
another way, there’s additional storage capacity in the tank above the Full mark
that’s not represented in the gauge. You may
not see any movement in the reading – even
after driving up to 2,000 miles in some
cases.
The gauge may take up to five seconds to
update after adding a gallon or more of DEF
to the DEF tank. If you have a fault related to
the DEF system, the gauge may not update to
the new level. See an authorized dealer for
service.
The DEF gauge may also not immediately
update after a refill if the temperature of the
DEF fluid is below 12°F (-11°C). The DEF line
heater will possibly warm up the DEF fluid
and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is
possible that the gauge may not reflect the
new fill level for several drives.
Outside temperature can affect DEF
consumption. In cold conditions, 12°F
(-11°C) and below, the DEF gauge needle
can stay on a fixed position and may not
move for extended periods of time. This is a
normal function of the system.
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen
3

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL123
DISPLAYS
When the appropriate conditions exist, the
instrument cluster display displays the following
messages:
System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle Not in
Park
System Setup Unavailable – Vehicle in
Motion
Exhaust Filter Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds To Remedy
Exhaust Filter XX% Full – Power Reduced See
Dealer
Exhaust Service Required – See Dealer Now
Exhaust System – Filter XX% Full Service
Required See Dealer
Exhaust System – Regeneration In Process
Exhaust Filter XX% Full
Exhaust System – Regeneration Completed
Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low
Refill Soon
Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF
Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF
Service DEF System See Dealer
Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer
Engine Will Not Restart in XXX mi Service DEF
See Dealer
Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System
See Dealer
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF)
W
ARNING MESSAGES
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning
messages when the DEF level reaches a driving
range of approximately 500 miles (800 km). If
the following warning message sequence is
ignored, your vehicle may not restart unless DEF
is added with in the displayed mileage shown in
the cluster message.
Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low
Refill Soon — This message will display when
DEF driving range is less than 500 miles, DEF
fluid top off is required within the displayed
mileage. The message will be displayed in the
cluster during vehicle start up with the
current allowed mileage and accompanied by
a single chime. The remaining mileage can
be pulled up anytime in the “Messages” list
within the instrument cluster display.
Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF
— This message will display when DEF driving
range is less than 200 miles. It is also
displayed at 150 miles and 100 miles. DEF
fluid top off is required within the displayed
mileage. The message will be displayed in the
instrument cluster display during vehicle
start up with an updated distance mileage,
and it will be accompanied by a single chime.
Starting at 100 miles, remaining range will
be continuously displayed while operating
the vehicle. Chimes will also accompany the
75, 50 and 25 mile remaining distances. The
DEF Low telltale will be on continuously until
DEF fluid is topped off.
Engine Will Not Restart Refill DEF — This
message will display when the DEF driving
range is less than one mile, DEF fluid top off
is required or the engine will not restart. The
message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster display during vehicle start up, and it
will be accompanied by a single chime. The
DEF Low telltale will be illuminated continu -
ously until DEF fluid tank is filled with a
minimum of two gallons of DEF.
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