check engine light Ram 1500 2016 User Guide

When towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at low
speeds (20 mph [32 km/h] or below), holding your
vehicle in first gear (using the ERS shift control) can help
to avoid transmission overheating.
If you regularly tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes of
continuous operation, then change the automatic trans-
mission fluid and filter(s) as specified forpolice, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing.Refer to the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing (6-speed automatic only).
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly
areas, or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
•Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
•When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
•Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 709

NEUTRAL (N) button has been released, the transfer
case will shift to the position indicated by the selec-
tor switch.
•With electronic shift transfer case with push-button
selector switch, push and hold the switch for the
desired transfer case position, until the NEUTRAL
(N) indicator light turns off and the desired position
indicator light turns on.
NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL (N),
turning the engine OFF is not required, but may be
helpful to avoid gear clash. With the 8-speed automatic
transmission, the engine must remain running, since
turning the engine OFF will shift the transmission to
PARK (and the transmission must be in NEUTRAL for
the transfer case to shift out of NEUTRAL).5. Turn the engine OFF. Shift automatic transmission into
PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the shifter will auto-
matically select PARK when the engine is turned off.
6. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on a manual
transmission).
7. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
8. Start the engine.
9. Press and hold the brake pedal.
10. Release the parking brake.
11. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake
pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions),
and check that the vehicle operates normally.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 721

(EVIC)” or “Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and push the
SELECT button to turn off the message. If the problem
continues, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “MalfunctionIndicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not on when
the engine is running, and that the OBD II system is
ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which
you can use prior to going to the test station. To check if
your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the
following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do
not crank or start the engine.
NOTE:If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
792 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) symbol come on as part of a normal bulb check.
3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
•The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system isnot readyand you should
notproceed to the I/M station.
•The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you place the ignition in the off
position or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system isreadyand you can proceed
to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle wasrecently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system isnow ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPAR parts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-MOPAR parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 793

Severe Duty All Models Only
NOTE:Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the
vehicle is operated in a dusty and off road environment
or is operated predominantly at idle or only very low
engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered
Severe Duty.Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level
•Check windshield washer fluid level
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and automatic transmission (six-speed only)
and fill as needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 871

Brake/Transmission Interlock.................489
Bulb Replacement......................849, 850
Bulbs, Light..........................121, 849
Cab Top Clearance Lights...................857
Camera, Rear............................214
Camper................................272
Capacities, Fluid..........................861
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)........................797, 798
Power Steering.........................615
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................818
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............118,679
Cargo Light.............................182
Car Washes.............................831
Center High Mounted Stop Light..............855
Center Seat Storage Compartment.............244
Certification Label.........................686
Chart, Tire Sizing.........................637Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .792
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety..............117
Checks, Safety............................117
Child Restraint............................84
Child Restraints
Booster Seats...........................89
Child Restraints.........................84
Child Seat Installation.................103, 105
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt.......101
Infants And Child Restraints................87
Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint. . . .100
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt.................................102
Locating The LATCH Anchorages............97
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children.......92
Older Children And Child Restraints..........88
Seating Positions........................91
Cigar Lighter............................237
Clean Air Gasoline........................676
894 INDEX

Flashers
Turn Signal.....................121, 183, 329
Flat Tire Stowage......................743, 764
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range.........................682
Engine Oil............................681
Fuel Requirements...................680, 681
Maintenance...........................683
Replacement Parts.......................682
Starting..............................682
Flooded Engine Starting....................480
Fluid, Brake.............................867
Fluid Capacities..........................861
Fluid Leaks.............................121
Fluid Level Checks
Brake................................823
Power Steering.........................615
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts...........863
Fog Lights........................178, 320, 853Fold Flat Load Floor.......................251
Four-Way Hazard Flasher...................725
Four Wheel Drive.........................522
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.....................775
Front Axle (Differential).....................825
Fuel...................................674
Adding..............................683
Additives.............................678
Clean Air.............................676
Ethanol...........................676, 680
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).....................685
Gasoline..............................674
Light................................317
Materials Added........................678
Methanol.............................676
Octane Rating......................674, 863
Requirements......................
.674, 861
Tank Capacity..........................861
Fuel, Flexible............................680
898 INDEX

Keys...................................12
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)....................19
Lane Change And Turn Signals...............183
Lane Change Assist........................184
Lap/Shoulder Belts.........................55
Latches................................121
Lead Free Gasoline........................674
Leaks, Fluid.............................121
Life Of Tires.............................657
Light Bulbs..........................121, 849
Lights..............................121, 171
AirBag ........................80, 119, 299
Automatic Headlights....................173
Brake Assist Warning....................630
Brake Warning.........................300
Bulb Replacement.......................850
Cap Top Clearance......................857
Cargo ...............................182Center Mounted Stop....................855
Courtesy/Reading................180, 182, 217
Cruise............................330, 332
Daytime Running.......................174
Engine Temperature Warning...............303
Exterior..............................121
Fog ..........................178, 320, 853
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator................526
Hazard Warning Flasher..................725
Headlights............................173
High Beam............................184
High Beam/Low Beam Select...............184
Hill Descent Control Indicator..............632
Illuminated Entry........................24
Interior....................179, 180, 182, 217
Low Fuel.............................317
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine).........310
Park.............................328, 330
Passing..............................184
10
INDEX 901

Seat Belt Reminder......................298
Security Alarm.........................302
Service...........................849, 850
Side Marker...........................860
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).........314, 665
Traction Control........................630
Transfer Case..........................526
Turn Signal..............121, 183, 329, 851, 853
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .303, 329
Limited-Slip Differential.................587, 825
Loading Vehicle..........................686
Tires ................................642
Locks..................................38
Automatic Door.........................41
Child Protection.........................42
Door.................................38
Power Door............................40
Low Tire Pressure System...................665
Lubrication, Body.........................807Lug Nuts...............................726
Maintenance Free Battery....................804
Maintenance Procedures....................794
Maintenance Schedule......................870
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . .310, 792
Manual, Service..........................886
Manual Transmission
Fluid Level Check.......................826
Lubricant Selection......................867
Memory Seat............................165
Methanol...............................676
Mirrors................................130
Electric Powered........................143
Heated...............................144
Memory..............................165
Outside..............................138
Rearview......................130, 131, 138
Trailer Towing.........................144
902 INDEX