cooling Ram 1500 2016 Diesel Supplement

engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle. •
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 109

•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler
The charge air cooler is positioned in front of the radiator
and the air conditioner condenser. Air enters the engine
through the air cleaner and passes through the turbo-
charger, where it is pressurized. This pressurized air
rapidly reaches high temperature. The air is then directed
through a hose to the charge air cooler and through
another hose to the intake manifold of the engine. This
cooling process enables more efficient burning of fuel
resulting in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the system, keep
the surfaces of the charge air cooler, condenser and radiator clean and free of debris. Periodically check the
hoses leading to and from the charge air cooler for cracks
or loose clamps resulting in loss of pressure and reduced
engine performance.
Brake System
Brake Master Cylinder — Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immedi-
ately if the “Brake System Warning Light” indicates
system failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” mark and a “MIN” mark. The fluid level must be
kept within these two marks. Do not add fluid above the
full mark because leakage may occur at the cap.
110 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
3.0L Diesel Engine 26 Gallons98.5 Liters
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank 8 Gallons30.3 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
3.0L Liter Diesel Engine (SAE
5W-30 Synthetic, API Certified Low
Ash) 10.5 Quarts
10 Liters
Cooling System
3.0L Turbo Diesel Engine (MOPAR
Engine Coolant/Antifreeze 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT
(Organic Additive Technology)) 11.6 Quarts
11 Liters
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 113

NOTE:If the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold (below
20°F or -7°C), or is required to operate at colder-than-
normal conditions for prolonged periods, use climatized
No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel fuel with 50%
No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better protection from
fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filter.CAUTION!
• Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
(Continued)
116 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By OilChange Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank.
• Drain water from fuel filter assembly.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
6
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 121

1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Engine Coolant Temperature •This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
The gauge pointer will likely show higher tempera-
tures when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or in heavy stop and go traffic. If the red
Warning Light turns on while driving, safely bring
the vehicle to a stop, and turn off the engine. DO
NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage 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
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
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.
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 “Maintaining Your
Vehicle.” Follow the warnings under the “Cooling
System Pressure Cap” paragraph.
3. Oil Pressure Gauge •The pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous high
154 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission ........................ .215
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .217
▫ Block Heater Usage ....................217
 DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE
BRAKING) .......................... .218
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .220
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............222
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .222
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ........................ .222
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .234
▫ Shifting ............................ .235▫
Downshifting ....................... .236
▫ Reverse Shifting ..................... .238
 AUXILIARY SWITCHES — IF EQUIPPED .....238
 POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY) ..................239
▫ Stationary Mode ..................... .240
▫ Mobile Mode ........................ .241
 ENGINE RUNAWAY ....................242
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................243
▫ Fuel Specifications ....................244
▫ Bio-Diesel Fuel Requirements .............245

ADDING FUEL — 2500/3500 DIESEL MODELS . . .248
 ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS . . .251
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of
Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.
• The fuel grade should be clearly marked on the pump
at the fuel station.
• The engine requires the use of “Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel Fuel”. Use of incorrect fuel could result in
engine and exhaust system damage. Refer to “Fuel
Requirements” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
• Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your Cummins diesel
engine. However, if seasonably adjusted fuel is not
available and you are operating below 20°F (-6°C),
MOPAR Premium Diesel Fuel Treatment (or equiva-
lent) may be beneficial to avoid fuel gelling.Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for the correct engine oil viscosity.
Winter Front Usage
A winter front or cold weather cover is to be used in
ambient temperatures below 32°F (0°C), especially dur-
ing extended idle conditions to reduce condensation
build-up within engine crankcase. If a winter front or
cold weather cover is to be used, a percentage of the total
grille opening area must be left uncovered to provide
sufficient air flow to the charge air cooler and automatic
transmission oil cooler. The percentage of opening must
be increased with the increasing ambient air temperature
and/or engine load. If the cooling fan can be heard
cycling frequently, increase the size of the opening in the
winter front. A suitable cold weather cover is available
from your MOPAR dealer.
210 STARTING AND OPERATING

Operating Precautions
Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the engine coolant (antifreeze) (a
mixture of 50% ethylene-glycol and 50% water) must not
exceed the normal range of the temperature gauge 240°F
(116°C) with a 21 psi (145 kPa) coolant pressure cap.
Usually the engine coolant (antifreeze) temperature indi-
cated during operation will be to the left of center in the
normal range of the gauge.
Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low engine coolant (antifreeze)
temperature below the normal range on the gauge 140°F
(60°C) can be harmful to the engine. Low engine coolant
(antifreeze) temperature can cause incomplete combus-
tion which allows carbon and varnish to form on pistonrings and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can
enter the crankcase, diluting the lubricating oil and
causing rapid wear to the engine.
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient temperature conditions, take the
following actions:
•
City Driving —
When stopped, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL
and increase engine idle speed.
• Highway Driving —
Reduce your speed.
• Up Steep Hills —
Select a lower transmission gear.
• Air Conditioning —
Turn it off temporarily.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 215

DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and
sixth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section for further infor-
mation) to select a lower gear range. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear range will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup.If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING