engine Ram 1500 2016 Repair Manual
Page 444 of 916
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
NOTE:Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
442 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES................477
▫Normal Starting.......................477
▫Automatic Transmission................478
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go...................478
▫Normal Starting.......................478
▫Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –22°F Or 30°C)................480
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................480
▫After Starting........................481
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED......481▫Automatic Mode......................482
▫Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
Autostop...........................482
▫To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .483
▫To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .485
▫To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .485
▫System Malfunction....................486
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .486
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............487
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............489
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LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.............587
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........588
▫Acceleration.........................588
▫Traction............................589
DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............589
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................589
▫Shallow Standing Water.................590
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS...............591
▫After Driving Off-Road.................591
WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY —
(IF EQUIPPED)........................593
▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch. . . .593
▫Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .595▫Winch Accessories....................597
▫Operating Your Winch..................598
▫Rigging Techniques....................611
POWER STEERING.....................613
▫Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models.....613
▫Hydraulic Power Steering — 2500/3500
Models............................614
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED..................616
PARKING BRAKE......................616
BRAKE SYSTEM.......................618
▫Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon)..................618
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. . . .619
472 STARTING AND OPERATING
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▫Life Of Tire.........................657
▫Replacement Tires.....................657
SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED.......................659
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......659
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....662
▫Directional Tires — If Equipped...........663
▫Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped..........663
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .665
▫Premium System......................667
▫Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks.........................672
▫General Information...................674
FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................674▫3.6L Engine..........................674
▫5.7L Engine..........................675
▫6.4L Engine..........................675
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................676
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............676
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......677
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................677
▫Materials Added To Fuel................678
▫Fuel System Cautions...................678
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............679
FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED...........................680
▫E-85 General Information...............680
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▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................680
▫Fuel Requirements....................681
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.............681
▫Starting............................682
▫Cruising Range.......................682
▫Replacement Parts....................682
▫Maintenance........................683
ADDING FUEL........................683
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............685
VEHICLE LOADING....................686
▫Certification Label....................686TRAILER TOWING.....................688
▫Common Towing Definitions.............688
▫Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight.............................696
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................697
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............697
▫Towing Requirements..................698
▫Towing Tips.........................708
SNOWPLOW.........................710
▫1500 Models Only.....................710
▫2500/3500 Models Only.................711
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STARTING AND OPERATING 475
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more than 10-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Cycle the ignition to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, cycle the ignition to the OFF position,
wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 477
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Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission in PARK position.
Apply the brake before shifting into any driving range.
NOTE:
•This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift
interlocking system. The brake pedal must be pressed
to shift out of PARK.
•If equipped with an 8 speed transmission starting the
vehicle in NEUTRAL is not possible unless the Manual
Park Release has been activated. For the Manual Park
Release operation refer to Manual Park Release in
“What To Do In Emergencies”.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Keyless Enter-N-Go
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go Key Fob is
in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the
ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
478 STARTING AND OPERATING
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4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to
the engine starting, push the button again.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/gear selector in PARK, then push
and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK, the
ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short pushes in a row with the vehicle
speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will
shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever/gear selector is
in PARK and the button is pushed twice to the OFFposition. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed
once, the EVIC/DID will display a “Vehicle Not In
Park” message and the engine will remain running.
Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it
could roll.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF, ACC, RUN.
To change the ignition switch positions without starting
the vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:
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STARTING AND OPERATING 479
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1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to
change the ignition to the ACC position.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time
to change the ignition to the RUN position.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to
return the ignition to the OFF position.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Pushthe accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while the engine is cranking. This should clear any
excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
The starter motor will engage automatically, run for 10
seconds, and then disengage. Once this occurs, release
the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
(Continued)
480 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!(Continued)
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump-Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the igni-
tion button/key is released. If this occurs, continuecranking with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the ignition
button/key once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after a 10 second
period of engine cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and
reduce emissions. The system will stop the engine auto-
matically during a vehicle stop if the required conditions
are met. Releasing the brake pedal will automatically
re-start the vehicle.
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