Check engine Ram 1500 2016 Owner's Guide

transmission fluid level checked. Operating the vehicle
with an improper fluid level can cause severe transmis-
sion damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe transmission dam-
age may occur. Your authorized dealer has the proper
tools to adjust the fluid level accurately.
Fluid Level Check — Six-Speed Transmission
It is best to check the fluid level when the transmission is
at normal operating temperature (170-180°F / 77-82°C).
This normally occurs after at least 15 miles (25 km) of
driving. At normal operating temperature the fluid can-
not be held comfortably between the fingertips. You can
read the transmission sump temperature in the EVIC/DID screen (refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center [EVIC]” or “Driver Information Display (DID)”
for further information).
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Monitor the transmission temperature using the
EVIC/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.
828 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage 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 (seeFluids, Lubricants, And
Genuine Partsfor fluid specifications). After adding
any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait aminimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmissionbelow
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at 60-70°F / 16-21°C. Only use the COLD
region of the dipstick as a rough reference when setting
the fluid level after a transmission service or fluid
change. Re-check the fluid level, and adjust as required,
once the transmission reaches normal operating tempera-
ture.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50 °F (10 °C) it may
not register on the dipstick. Do not add fluid until
the temperature is elevated enough to produce an
accurate reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK, to
warm the fluid.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 829

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