engine Ram 1500 2014 Get to Know Guide 

- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of an onboard diagnostic system called
OBD II that monitors engine and automatic transmission control systems. The light
will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condition
checked promptly.
Certain conditions, poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the light after engine start.
The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through several of your typical driving
cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not require towing.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on could cause damage
to the engine control system. It also could affect fuel economy and driveability. If the
MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced above, can reach higher tempera-
tures than in normal operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you drive slowly or
park over flammable substances such as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could
result in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or others.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light
The ESC OFF indicator will illuminate when the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
- Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charging system. If the charging system light
remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system.
We recommend you do not continue driving if the charging system light is on. Have
the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for four
minutes when this light turns on.
We recommend you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the
vehicle serviced immediately.
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- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). The light will turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and may stay on for as long as four
seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it indicates that the Anti-Lock
portion of the brake system is not functioning and that service is required. However, the
conventional brake system will continue to operate normally if the BRAKE warning light
is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced as soon as possible to
restore the benefits of Anti-Lock brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have the light inspected by an
authorized dealer.
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the engine is running. Cycle the
ignition when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is placed in the
PARK position; the light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable;
however, see an authorized service center immediately. If the light is flashing when the
engine is running, immediate service is required and you may experience reduced
performance, an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may require towing.
- Air Bag Warning Light
This light will turn on for four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned to the ON/RUN position. If the light is either not on during
starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, have the system inspected at an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” of your Owner’s Manual for further information.
NOTE:
The Air Bag System is designed to be maintenance free.
- SERV (Service) 4WD Indicator Light
The SERV 4WD light monitors the electric shift four-wheel drive system. If the SERV
4WD light stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the four-wheel drive
system is not functioning properly and that service is required.
For vehicles equipped with a premium cluster this indicator will display in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
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- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that there is excessive transmission fluid temperature that might
occur with severe usage such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, stop the vehicle
and run the engine at idle, with the transmission in NEUTRAL, until the light turns
off. Once the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Temperature Warning Light illuminated
will eventually cause severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the Transmission Temperature Warning
Light is illuminated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact with hot
engine or exhaust components and cause a fire.
OIL CHANGE EVIC INDICATOR
Message
If an “oil change” message (shown as “Change Oil Soon” and “Oil Change Needed”)
appears and a single chime sounds, it is time for your next required oil change.
Resetting The Light After Servicing
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (do not start engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal three times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
- Low Coolant Level Indicator Light
This light indicates low coolant level. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible.
We recommend you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the
vehicle serviced immediately.
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IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the potential for overheating by
taking the appropriate action:
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL, but do notincrease engine idle speed.
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!
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!
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.
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WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic.
Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the
jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack
and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body under a
vehicle that is on a jack.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need to get under
a raised vehicle, take it to an authorized dealer where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jackshould not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
•
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic,
pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the
jack or changing the wheel.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or
damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadwayas possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK;
a manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting this vehicle
during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are securely stowed, spares
must be stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
•
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable.
It could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only
enough to remove the tire.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten
the wheel bolts until the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this
warning may result in personal injury.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel covers with care to
avoid contact with any sharp edges.
•
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could endan-
ger the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare
tire in the places provided.
•A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could injure the
occupants in the vehicle. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced
immediately.
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JUMP-STARTING
• If your vehicle has a discharged bat-tery it can be jump-started using a
set of jumper cables and a battery in
another vehicle or by using a portable
battery booster pack.
• Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly so please follow the
procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:
When using a portable battery booster
pack follow the manufacturer’s operating
instructions and precautions.
Preparations For Jump-Start
• The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
NOTE:
The positive battery post is covered with a protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain
access to the positive battery post.
• Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to OFF.
• Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
• If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
Jump-Starting Procedure
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable to the positive (+)post of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper cable to the positive (+)post
of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative (-)end of the jumper cable to the negative (-)post of the
booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper cable to a good engine ground
(exposed metal part of the discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and
the fuel injection system.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
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Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence:
1. Disconnect the negative(-)end of the jumper cable from the engine ground of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper cable from the negative (-)
post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable from the positive (+)post of
the booster battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper cable from the positive (+)
post of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
NOTE:
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle you should have the battery
and charging system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
• Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other booster source with a system voltage greater than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor,
alternator or electrical system may occur.
• Failure to follow these procedures could result in damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
• Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in use (e.g., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery discharges suffi-
ciently to degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
WARNING!
• When temperatures are below the freezing point, electrolyte in a dischargedbattery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because the battery could
rupture or explode and cause personal injury. Battery temperature must be
brought above the freezing point before attempting a jump-start.
•
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised. It can start
anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be injured by moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry, such as watch bands or bracelets, that might make an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be severely injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your skin or eyes and generate
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or sparks
away from the battery.
• Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could establish a ground connection and personal injury could result.
• Failure to follow this procedure could result in personal injury or property
damage due to battery explosion.
• Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
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Column Shifter
1.Tilt the steering wheel to the full up
position and firmly set the parking
brake.
2.Turn the Key Fob to the ACC or ON/RUN
position without starting the engine.
3. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool, into the access port (ringed circle) on
the bottom of the steering column and
push and hold the override release
lever up.
5. Move the shift lever into the NEU- TRAL position and start the vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake.
Center Console Shifter
• Firmly set the parking brake.
•
Turn the Key Fob to the ACC or ON/RUN
position without starting the engine.
• Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
• Using a screwdriver, press and hold the override tab through the access
port on the center console.
• Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position and start the vehicle.
• Release the parking brake.
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TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing
Condition Wheels OFF the
Ground 2WD Models
4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
• Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
• 15 miles (24 km) max
distance • Auto Transmission
inPARK
• Manual Trans-
mission in gear
(NOT NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in
NEUTRAL
• Tow in FORWARD
direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK
NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL
BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved using
a rocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around
the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and REVERSE (with
automatic transmission) or 2nd gear and REVERSE (with manual transmission)
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:
Press the "ESC Off" switch, to place the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in
"Partial Off" mode before rocking the vehicle. Once the vehicle has been freed, press
the "ESC Off" switch again to restore "ESC On" mode.
CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the engine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least
one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free
a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between DRIVE/2nd 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 occurring).
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT3.6L Engine
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
199