Ram 1500 2015 Diesel Supplement

1. Main Screen — The inner ring of the display willilluminate in grey under normal conditions, yellow for
non critical warnings, red for critical warnings and
white for on demand information.
2. Audio Information and Submenu Information — Whenever there are submenus available, the position
within the submenus is shown here.
3. Selectable Information (Compass, Temp, Range to Empty, Trip A, Trip B, Average MPG, Trailer Trip
(distance only), Trailer Brake Gain).
4. Air Suspension Status – If Equipped
5. Transmission Gear Position Indicator (PRND) 6. Status Menu Icons
7. Telltales/Indicators
8. 4WD Status
9. Selectable Gauge (Trans Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Life,
Trailer Brake, Current MPG, Fuel Filter Life, Turbo
Boost, Exhaust Brake, Battery Voltage)
10. Main Menu Items (Digital Speedometer, Vehicle Info, Fuel Economy, Trip A, Trip B, Trailer Tow, Audio,
Stored Messages, Screen Setup, Vehicle Settings)
11. Selectable Gauge (Trans Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Life, Trailer Brake, Current MPG, Fuel Filter Life, Turbo
Boost, Exhaust Brake, Battery Voltage)
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189

The main display area will normally display the main
menu or the screens of a selected feature of the main
menu. The main display area also displays “pop up”
messages that consist of approximately 60 possible warn-
ing or information messages. These pop up messages fall
into several categories:
•Five Second Stored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of
message takes control of the main display area for five
seconds and then returns to the previous screen. Most of
the messages of this type are then stored (as long as the
condition that activated it remains active) and can be
reviewed from the “Messages” main menu item. As long
as there is a stored message, an “i” will be displayed in
the DID’s compass/outside temp line. Examples of this
message type are “Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Out”
and “Low Tire Pressure”. •
Unstored Messages
This message type is displayed indefinitely or until the
condition that activated the message is cleared. Examples
of this message type are “Turn Signal On” (if a turn signal
is left on) and “Lights On” (if driver leaves the vehicle).
• Unstored Messages Until RUN
These messages deal primarily with the Remote Start
feature. This message type is displayed until the ignition
is in the RUN state. Examples of this message type are
“Remote Start Aborted - Door Ajar” and “Press Brake
Pedal and Push Button to Start”.
• Five Second Unstored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of mes-
sage takes control of the main display area for five seconds
and then returns to the previous screen. An example of this
message type is “Automatic High Beams On”.
190 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Diesel Indicator Lights
This area will show reconfigurable amber telltales that
relate to your diesel. These telltales include:
NOTE:“Refer to your OM on DVD for additional telltale
information”
Water In Fuel Indicator Light
The “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illumi-
nate when there is water detected in the fuel
filters. If this light remains on, DO NOT start the
vehicle before you drain the water from the fuel
filters to prevent engine damage. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filters” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Wait To Start Light
The “Wait To Start” telltale will illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds when the ignition is
turned to the RUN position. It’s duration may be longer
based on colder operating conditions. Vehicle will not
initiate start until telltale is out. Refer to “Starting Proce-
dures” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
NOTE: The “Wait To Start” telltale may not illuminate if
the intake manifold temperature is warm enough.
Low Diesel Exhaust Fluid Light
This telltale will turn on to indicate the Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is low.
Cold Ambient Derate Mode Messages
The vehicle will display messages when a derate (engine
power reduction) is activated to protect the turbocharger
during engine start up in cold ambient temperatures.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 191

•Engine Power Reduced During Warmup — This
message will display during start up when the ambi-
ent temperature is between 10° F (-12° C) and -10° F
(-23° C).
•
Engine Power Reduced Up To 30 Sec (Seconds) During
Warmup — This message will display during start up
when the ambient temperature is between -10° F (-23° C)
and -25 F (-32° C).
•Engine Power Reduced Up To 2 Min (Minutes) During
Warmup
— This message will display during start up
when the ambient temperature is -25° F (-32° C) and
below.
• Coolant Low — This telltale will turn on to indicate
the vehicle coolant level is low. See “Adding Coolant”
under the section “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for more
information.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Messages
The Cummins® diesel engine meets all EPA Heavy Duty
Diesel Engine Emissions Standards, resulting in one of
the lowest emitting diesel engines ever produced. To
achieve these emissions standards, your vehicle is
equipped with a state-of-the-art engine and exhaust
system. These systems are seamlessly integrated into
your vehicle and managed by the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). The PCM manages engine combustion to
allow the exhaust system’s catalyst to trap and burn
Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants, with no input or
interaction on your part.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
(Continued)
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!(Continued)
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to additional
maintenance required on your vehicle or engine. Refer to
the following messages that may be displayed on your DID:
•Perform Service— Your vehicle will require emissions
maintenance at a set interval. To help remind you when
this maintenance is due, the Cluster will display “Per-
form Service”. When the “Perform Service” message is
displayed on the DID it is necessary to have the emis-
sions maintenance performed. Emissions maintenance
may include replacing the Closed Crankcase Ventilation
(CCV) filter element. The procedure for clearing and
resetting the Perform Service indicator message is
located in the appropriate Service Information.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration Required Now —
Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway
Speeds to Remedy will be displayed in the Cluster if
the exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of its maxi-
mum storage capacity. Under conditions of exclusive
short duration and low speed driving cycles, your
Cummins® diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment
system may never reach the conditions required to
remove the trapped PM. If this occurs, the “Exhaust
Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds to
Remedy” message will be displayed in the DID. If this
message is displayed, you will hear one chime to assist
in alerting you of this condition
• By simply driving your vehicle at highway speeds for
as little as 45 minutes, you can remedy the condition in
the particulate filter system and allow your Cum-
mins® diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment sys-
tem to remove the trapped PM and restore the system
to normal operating condition.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 193

•Exhaust System — Regeneration In Process Exhaust
Filter XX% Full — Indicates that the Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) is self-cleaning. Maintain your current
driving condition until regeneration is completed.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration Completed — This
message indicates that the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) self-cleaning is completed. If this message is
displayed, you will hear one chime to assist in alerting
you of this condition.
• Exhaust Service Required — See Dealer Now — This
messages indicates regeneration has been disabled due
to a system malfunction. At this point the engine
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will register a fault
code, the instrument panel will display a MIL light.CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
• Exhaust Filter Full — Power Reduced See Dealer —
This message indicates the PCM has derated the
engine to limit the likelihood of permanent damage to
the after-treatment system. If this condition is not
corrected and a dealer service is not performed, exten-
sive exhaust after-treatment damage can occur. To
correct this condition it will be necessary to have your
vehicle serviced by your local authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to the exhaust
system could occur soon with continued operation.
194 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages
when the DEF level reaches a driving range of approxi-
mately 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
with in 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
by way of the “Messages” list within the DID
• 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 with in the
displayed mileage. The message will be displayed in
the DID 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 1
mile, DEF fluid top off is required or the engine will
not restart. The message will be displayed in the DID
during vehicle start up, and it will be accompanied by
a single chime. The DEF Low telltale will be illumi-
nated continuously until DEF fluid tank is filled with a
minimum of two gallons of DEF.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195

•Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF —
This message will continuously display if the “DEF
Low Refill Soon” message is ignored, and the fre-
quency of occurance of the chime will increase unless
up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Refill DEF — This message will continuously display
when the counter reaches zero, and will be accompa-
nied by a periodic chime.
• The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
• If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
• If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased. •
Add a minimum of 2 gallons (9.5 Liters) of DEF to the
tank in order to avoid vehicle operation at a maximum
speed of 5 MPH (8 km/H).
NOTE: A minimum of 2 gallons (9.5 Liters) may be
required to restore normal vehicle operation. Although
the vehicle will start normally and can be placed in gear
after this message has been initially displayed, extreme
caution should be utilized since the vehicle will only be
capable of maneuvering at a maximum speed of 5 MPH
(8 km/H).
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages
There are four different messages which are displayed if
the vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled
with a fluid other than DEF, has experienced component
failures, or when tampering has been detected. The
vehicle may be limited to a maximum speed of 5 MPH (8
196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

km/H) if the DEF system is not serviced within less than
200 miles (322 km) of the fault being detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System See Dealer — This message will
display when the fault is initially detected, each time
the vehicle is started, and periodically during driving.
The message will be accompanied by a single chime.
We recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer and have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
• 5 MPH Max Speed in 150 mi Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if the DEF system
has not been serviced after the “Service DEF System –
See Dealer” message is displayed. This message will
continuously display until the mileage counter reaches
zero, and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
The message will continue to countdown until it reaches zero unless the vehicle is serviced. We recom-
mend you drive to your nearest authorized dealer and
have your vehicle serviced immediately.
NOTE: Under some circumstances this mileage counter
may start with a value of less than 150 miles (241 km). For
example, if recurring faults are detected in a time interval
of less than 40 hours, the counter may restart at the value
where it stopped when a previous fault was temporarily
remedied, or at a minimum of 50 miles (80 km).
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer — This message will continu-
ously display when the mileage counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
• The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
• If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 197

•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if DEF system
issue detected is not serviced during the allowed
period. Your engine will not restart unless your vehicle
is serviced by your authorized dealer. This message
will be displayed when under 1 mile until engine will
not start and each time the vehicle is started, and will be continuously displayed. The message will be ac-
companied by a single chime. Your Malfunction Indi-
cator Light will be continuously illumined. We highly
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer if the message appears while engine is running.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.
RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the DID displays the message “Active
Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle perfor-
mance may be reduced until service is performed by an
authorized RAM dealer.
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL