check oil Ram 1500 2015 Diesel Supplement

Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped
When remote start is activated, the heated steering
wheel, and driver heated seat features will automatically
turn on in cold weather. In warm weather, the driver
vented seat feature will automatically turn on when the
remote start is activated. These features will stay on
through the duration of remote start or until the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the EVIC/DID. For more informa-
tion on Remote Start Comfort System operation refer to
your Owners Manual.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The Cummins® turbocharged diesel engine does not
require a break-in period due to its construction. Normal
operation is allowed, providing the following recommen-
dations 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 temperature indica-
tors.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 147

NOTE:
•A continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is driven
more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
• Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if either
indicator remains on and does not flash, or flashes at a
rapid rate.
5. Engine Coolant Temperature
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher temperatures 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
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized 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
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166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

if the driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled, the seat belt
reminder light will flash or remain on continuously. Refer
to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know Before
Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.
9. Air Bag Warning LightThis light will turn on for four to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned to ON/RUN. 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” for
further information.
10. Engine Oil Pressure
The pointer should always indicate some oil pressure
when the engine is running. A continuous high or low
reading under normal driving conditions may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immediate service
should be obtained from an authorized dealer.
If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of the gauge,
the Check Gauges indicator will illuminate and a single
chime will sound.
11. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (mph/km/h).
12. Park/Headlight ON Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the park
lights or headlights are turned on.
13. Cargo Light The cargo light will illuminate when the cargo
light is activated by pressing the cargo light
button on the headlight switch.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169

5. After engine start-up, check to see that there is oilpressure.
6. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat cycle.
7. Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:
• Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000
RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger
at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-
up.
• The engine may not automatically crank after the
engine Wait To Start telltale goes off if a door or the
hood is ajar.
• If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON
for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start
Light” goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five
seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 7 of
“Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Starting Procedure – Engine
Manifold Air Temperature Below 66° F (19° C).”
Extreme Cold Weather
The Cummins® diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
•
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed
in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind
the oil filter. It requires a 110–115 Volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
NOTE: The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are
available from your authorized MOPAR® dealer.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 211

CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least
two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating
start procedure.
5. When the engine starts, release the key fob.
6. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
7. Release the parking brake.
Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C)
NOTE: The temperature displayed in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information
Display (DID) does not necessarily reflect the engine
manifold air temperature. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information. When engine temperatures fall
below 66°F (19°C) the “Wait To Start Light” will remain
on indicating the intake manifold heater system is active.
Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting” procedure
except:
1. The “Wait To Start” telltale will remain on for a period of time that varies depending on the engine tempera-
ture.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 213

2. While theWait To Start” telltale is on, the EVIC/DID
will additionally display a gauge or bar whose initial
length represents the full Wait To Starttime period.
Its length will decrease until it disappears when the
Wait To Start time has elapsed.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START engine before you drain the water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
3. After the “Wait To Start” telltale goes off, turn the ignition switch to the START position. Do not press the
accelerator during starting.
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least
two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating
start procedure.
4. After engine start-up, check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
5. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat cycle.
6. Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:
•
Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000
RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger at
low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-up.
214 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the
engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait for 30 minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil.
Engine Oil Dipstick
1 — ADD Range
2—FullMark
3 — SAFE Range
280 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add oil
only when the level on the dipstick is below the “ADD”
mark. The total capacity from the ADD mark to the Full
mark is 2 qts (1.9L).
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API CJ-4 certified and
meet the requirements of FCA US LLC. Use MOPAR or
an equivalent oil meeting FCA US Material Standard
MS-10902. Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may
also be used. The identification of these engine oils are
typically located on the back of the oil container.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American Petro-
leum Institute (API). The manufac-
turer only recommends API Certified
engine oils.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 281

Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using theEVIC/DID screen, and operate the vehicle as required
to reach the normal operating temperature. If the
transmission is not functioning properly, or the vehicle
cannot be driven, see the NOTE and CAUTION below
about checking the fluid level at colder temperatures.
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60 seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
4. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake pedal.
5.
Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear position
(allowing time for the transmission to fully engage in
each position), ending with the transmission in PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the “HOT” (upper) reference holes
on the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube
to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill.Use
ONLY the specified fluid (see Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for fluid specifications). After adding
any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait a
minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
308 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE — DIESEL ENGINE
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop For Fuel
Check the engine oil level at least 30 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy
of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the level is at
or below the ADD or MIN mark. Once A Month
•
Inspect the batteries, and clean and tighten the termi-
nals as required.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and automatic transmission (if
equipped), and add as needed.
At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air filter.
• Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
• Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
322 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE