brake fluid Ram 1500 2016 Owner's Manual

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 121

Brake Warning Light
Red Telltale
LightWhat It Means
United States
Canada
Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system reser-
voir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been disengaged, and the fluid level is at
the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. In this case, the light will
remain on until the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may
be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system isindicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
300 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, theBrake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301

Yellow Telltale
LightWhat It Means
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Warning Light are on, see an authorized dealer
immediately. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Starting And Operating” for further in-
formation.
Transmission Temperature Indicator Light
Red Telltale
LightWhat It Means
Transmission Temperature Indicator Light
This light indicates that the transmission fluid temperature is running hot. This may occur with
severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, safely pull over and stop them ve-
hicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the
light turns off.
318 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Suspension Menu Item — If Equipped
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button until
the Air Suspension menu item is highlighted in the EVIC.
Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to display the
Air Suspension status.
Trailer Tow Menu Item
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button until
the Trailer Tow menu item is highlighted. Push and
release theRIGHTarrow button and the next screen will
display the following trailer trip information:
•Trip (trailer specific) Distance: Push and hold the
RIGHTarrow button to reset the distance.
•Trailer Brake
•Output
•Type
•Gain
EVIC Messages (Stored)
Number of messages stored will be indicated on the
highlighted Messages Menu bar.
When no message(s) have been stored, the right arrow
will not be present in the highlighted Messages bar.
Message(s) remain stored until condition has been
cleared by your authorized service provider.
Sample of stored EVIC Messages
•Front Seat Belts Unbuckled
•Driver Seat Belt Unbuckled
•Passenger Seat Belt Unbuckled
•Service Air Bag System
•Traction Control Off
•Washer Fluid Low
342 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Oil Pressure Low
•Oil Change Due
•Fuel Low
•Service Anti-lock Brake System
•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Service Power Steering
•Cruise Off
•Cruise Ready
•Cruise Set To XXX MPH
•Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire(s) “Inflate Tire to
XX”
•Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS)
•Service Tire Pressure System•Parking Brake Engaged
•Brake Fluid Low
•Service Electronic Braking System
•Engine Temperature Hot
•Battery Voltage Low
•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Lights On
•Right Turn Signal Light Out
•Left Turn Signal Light Out
•Turn Signal On
•Sound Horn with Remote Lock: Off; 1st Push; 2nd
Push
•Vehicle Not In Park
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 343

•Trailer Brake Disconnected
•Service Transmission
•Service Shifter
•Engage Park Brake To Prevent Rolling
•Transmission Too Cold Idle With Engine On
•Washer Fluid Low
•Service Air Suspension System
•Heavy Duty Air Suspension System Disabled
•Selected Ride Height Not Permitted Due To Speed
•Selected Ride Height Not Permitted Due To Payload
•Selected Ride Height Not Permitted - Payload Too
Light
•Battery Low Start Engine To Change Ride Height•Normal Ride Height Achieved
•Aerodynamic Ride Height Achieved
•Off Road 1 Ride Height Achieved
•Off Road 2 Ride Height Achieved
•Entry/Exit Ride Height Achieved
•Selected Ride Height Not Permitted
•Service Air Suspension System Immediately
•Reduce Speed To Maintain Selected Ride Height
•Air Suspension System Cooling Down Please Wait
•Vehicle Cannot Be Lowered Door Open
•Off Road 2 Watch For Clearance
•Entry/Exit Watch For Clearance
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 345

Vehicles Not Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, cycle the ignition to
the ON/RUN position (do not start the engine).
2. Push and release theDOWNarrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info.”
3. Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to access
the “Oil Life” screen.
4. Push and hold theRIGHTarrow button for one
second to access the “Oil Life Reset” screen.
5. Push and release theDOWNarrow button to select
“Yes,” then push and release theRIGHTarrow button
to select reset of the Oil Life.
6. Push and release theUParrow button to exit the DID
screen.NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
DID Messages
•Front Seatbelts Unbuckled
•Driver Seatbelt Unbuckled
•Passenger Seatbelt Unbuckled
•Service Airbag System
•Traction Control Off
•Washer Fluid Low
•Oil Pressure Low
•Oil Change Due
•Fuel Low
•Service Antilock Brake System
360 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Service Power Steering
•Cruise Off
•Cruise Ready
•Cruise Set To XXX MPH
•Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire(s) “Inflate Tire to
XX”
•Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS)
•Service Tire Pressure System
•Parking Brake Engaged
•Brake Fluid Low
•Service Electronic Braking System
•Engine Temperature Hot•Battery Voltage Low
•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Lights On
•Right Turn Signal Light Out
•Left Turn Signal Light Out
•Turn Signal On
•Sound Horn with Remote Lock: Off; 1st Push; 2nd
Push
•Vehicle Not in Park
•Key in Ignition
•Key in Ignition Lights On
•Remote Start Active Key to Run
•Remote Start Active Push Start Button
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 361

CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fourth and fifth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature,
•the engine coolant (antifreeze) has reached an ad-
equate temperature,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high,•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated, and
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, push the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/
HAUL mode. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/HAUL
mode, transmission upshifts are delayed, and the trans-
mission will automatically downshift (for engine brak-
ing) when the throttle is closed and/or during steady
braking maneuvers.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 509