maintenance RAM 1500 2021 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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9
10
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1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 10
2 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE ..................................................................................17
3 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ..................................................... 104
4 STARTING AND OPERATING .............................................................................................. 140 5 MULTIMEDIA .............................................................................................................................. 236
6 SAFETY .........................................................................................................................................310 7 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY .................................................................................................... 373
8 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE ...................................................................................... 395
9 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................ 467
10 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ..................................................................................................... 479 11 INDEX ............................................................................................................................................. 483

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SLIDE-IN CAMPERS .............................................97 Camper Applications ................................... 97
TRI-FOLD TONNEAU COVER — IF EQUIPPED .....97
Tonneau Cover Components....................... 97
Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Folding For
Driving Or Removal ...................................... 98 Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Installation ..........101
Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Cleaning ..............103
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
GASOLINE ........................................................... 104
Base / Midline Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Gasoline ............................105
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
GASOLINE ........................................................... 107
Premium Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Gasoline ............................108
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
DIESEL ................................................................. 109
Base / Midline Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Diesel ................................110
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
DIESEL ................................................................. 112
Premium Instrument Cluster
Descriptions — Diesel ...............................113 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY..................... 114
Instrument Cluster Display Controls......... 114
Oil Life Reset .............................................. 115
Display Menu Items ................................... 116
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Messages .................................................. 121 Displays ...................................................... 123
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning
Messages ................................................... 123 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault
Warning Messages .................................... 124 Battery Saver On/Battery Saver Mode
Message — Electrical Load Reduction
Actions — If Equipped ................................ 125
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES ................126
Red Warning Lights ................................... 126
Yellow Warning Lights ............................... 129Yellow Indicator Lights .............................. 133
Green Indicator Lights ............................... 135White Indicator Lights ............................... 136Blue Indicator Lights.................................. 137
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II..... 137
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity ............................................. 138
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS .............................138
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE ..................................... 140
Automatic Transmission............................ 141AutoPark ..................................................... 141
Tip Start Feature ....................................... 143
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition................... 143
Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/
STOP Button — Gasoline Engine .............. 143 Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/
STOP Button — Diesel Engine .................. 144 Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F
Or −30°C) ................................................. 146 After Starting .............................................. 146Starting Fluids — Diesel Engine Only ........ 146
NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE ....... 146
Cold Weather Precautions ........................ 146
Engine Idling .............................................. 148Stopping The Engine ................................. 148
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED ....... 150
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GASOLINE ENGINE ........................................... 150
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
DIESEL ENGINE .................................................. 151
PARKING BRAKE ............................................... 151 Electric Park Brake (EPB) .......................... 151

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VEHICLE LOADING ............................................. 213 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ......213Payload .......................................................213Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ............213
Tire Size ......................................................213
Rim Size......................................................214
Inflation Pressure ......................................214
Curb Weight................................................214
Loading .......................................................214
TRAILER TOWING .............................................. 214
Common Towing Definitions .....................214Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight.........................................................218 Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..........................................218 Trailer And Tongue Weight ........................ 219Trailer Reverse Steering Control ...............219
Towing Requirements ...............................221
Towing Tips ................................................227
SNOWPLOW ...................................................... 227
Before Plowing ........................................... 228
Snowplow Prep Package Model
Availability .................................................. 228 Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached .....................................................229 Operating Tips ............................................229
General Maintenance ................................229 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME) ...................................................230
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle ........................................................ 230 Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................................................ 230 Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................................................ 231
DRIVING TIPS ...................................................... 234
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 234
Driving Through Water .............................. 234
Off-Road Driving Tips ................................. 235
MULTIMEDIA
UCONNECT SYSTEMS .......................................236
CYBERSECURITY ............................................... 236
UCONNECT SETTINGS ........................................ 237Customer Programmable Features .......... 237
HEAD-UP DISPLAY (HUD) .................................. 254
UCONNECT INTRODUCTION ..............................256
System Overview ....................................... 256Safety And General Information ............... 258
UCONNECT MODES ............................................259
Steering Wheel Audio Controls ................ 259
Radio Mode ............................................... 259Media Mode .............................................. 268
Phone Mode .............................................. 271 CONNECTED VEHICLE SERVICES —
IF EQUIPPED ...................................................... 282
Is My Vehicle Connected? ......................... 282
Introduction To Connected Vehicle
Services ..................................................... 282 Getting Started With Connected Vehicle
Services ..................................................... 284 Using SiriusXM Guardian™ ...................... 286
Manage My SiriusXM Guardian™
Account ...................................................... 301
CONNECTED SERVICES FAQs ......................... 301
Connected Services SOS FAQs ................ 301
Connected Services Remote Door Lock/
Unlock FAQs .............................................. 302 Connected Services Roadside
Assistance FAQs ....................................... 302 Connected Services Send & Go FAQs ..... 302Connected Services Vehicle Finder
FAQs .......................................................... 303 Connected Services Stolen Vehicle
Assistance FAQs ....................................... 303 Connected Services Remote Vehicle
Start FAQs ................................................. 303 Connected Services Remote Horn &
Lights FAQs ................................................ 304 Connected Services Account FAQs........... 304
Data Collection & Privacy .......................... 306

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OFF-ROAD PAGES — IF EQUIPPED .................. 307 Off-Road Pages Status Bar .......................307
Vehicle Dynamics.......................................308
Accessory Gauge........................................308
Pitch & Roll .................................................308
Suspension ................................................309
RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES.... 309
Regulatory And Safety Information........... 309
SAFETY
SAFETY FEATURES ............................................ 310 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................. 310
Electronic Brake Control (EBC) System ...311
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS ........................ 318
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) —
If Equipped ................................................318 Forward Collision Warning (FCW) With
Mitigation — If Equipped............................324 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) ........................................................ 327
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .................. 334
Occupant Restraint Systems Features ....334
Important Safety Precautions ...................334Seat Belt Systems ..................................... 335Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) ...342Child Restraints..........................................355 SAFETY TIPS ....................................................... 369
Transporting Passengers .......................... 369Transporting Pets ...................................... 369
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
The Vehicle ................................................ 369 Periodic Safety Checks You Should
Make Outside The Vehicle ........................ 371 Exhaust Gas .............................................. 371
Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...................... 372IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS........................373
ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED .... 373
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING .......................377 Preparations For Jacking........................... 377
Jack Location ............................................. 378
Removal Of Jack And Tools ....................... 378
Removing The Spare Tire .......................... 380Jacking Instructions ................................... 381
To Stow The Flat Or Spare ........................ 384
Reinstalling The Jack And Tools ............... 385
JUMP STARTING ................................................ 386
Preparations For Jump Start ..................... 386Jump Starting Procedure .......................... 387
REFUELING IN EMERGENCY –
IF EQUIPPED ...................................................... 389
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .........................389
MANUAL PARK RELEASE .................................. 390
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............................391 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ........................ 392
Two-Wheel Drive Models ........................... 393
Four-Wheel Drive Models .......................... 393
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 394
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) ................................................................ 394
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ....................... 394
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING — GASOLINE
ENGINE ............................................................... 395
Maintenance Plan ..................................... 395
SCHEDULED SERVICING — DIESEL ENGINE .. 399
Maintenance Plan — Diesel Fuel Up To
B5 Biodiesel .............................................. 400 Additional Maintenance — B6 To B20
Biodiesel..................................................... 403
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................................. 404
3.6L Engine With Stop/Start .................... 404
5.7L Engine Without Stop/Start ............... 4055.7L Engine With Stop/Start..................... 406
3.0L Diesel Engine .................................... 407Checking Oil Level ..................................... 408
Adding Washer Fluid ................................. 408Maintenance-Free Battery ....................... 409Pressure Washing...................................... 409

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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE .................................. 409 Engine Oil — Gas Engine ...........................410
Engine Oil Filter ..........................................410Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............................411
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter —
Diesel Engine ............................................412 Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter
Replacement — Diesel Engine ..................413 Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of
Fuel — Diesel Engine .................................414 Intervention Regeneration Strategy —
Message Process Flow (Diesel Engine) ....414 Diesel Exhaust Fluid ..................................415Air Conditioner Maintenance ....................415
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection................417Body Lubrication ........................................418
Windshield Wiper Blades ..........................418
Exhaust System ........................................420
Cooling System .........................................421
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler (Diesel
Engine)........................................................ 424 Brake System ............................................425
Automatic Transmission ...........................426
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle
Fluid Level .................................................426 Transfer Case ............................................427
FUSES .........................................................427
BULB REPLACEMENT ................................437 TIRES....................................................................443
Tire Safety Information .............................. 443
Tires — General Information ..................... 449Tire Types ................................................... 454
Spare Tires — If Equipped ......................... 455
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ..................... 456Snow Traction Devices .............................. 458
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............. 460
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .................. 460
Treadwear .................................................. 460
Traction Grades ......................................... 461
Temperature Grades ................................. 461
STORING THE VEHICLE ......................................461
BODYWORK ........................................................ 461
Protection From Atmospheric Agents....... 461
Body And Underbody Maintenance .......... 462Preserving The Bodywork .......................... 462
INTERIORS ......................................................... 464
Seats And Fabric Parts .............................. 464
Plastic And Coated Parts ........................... 465
Leather Surfaces ....................................... 465Glass Surfaces .......................................... 466
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ................ 467
BRAKE SYSTEM ................................................ 467
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................ 467
Torque Specifications ............................... 467
FUEL REQUIREMENTS — GASOLINE
ENGINE ............................................................... 468
3.6L Engine ............................................... 468
5.7L Engine ................................................ 469
Reformulated Gasoline ............................. 469
Materials Added To Fuel ........................... 469
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..................... 469
Do Not Use E-85 In Non-Flex Fuel
Vehicles ...................................................... 470 CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications .. 470Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl (MMT) In Gasoline .................. 470 Fuel System Cautions................................ 470
FUEL REQUIREMENTS – DIESEL ENGINE ....... 471
Diesel Fuel Specifications......................... 471
Biodiesel Fuel Requirements.................... 472
FLUID CAPACITIES ............................................ 474
ENGINE FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ................ 475
CHASSIS FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ............... 478

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10
INTRODUCTION
Dear Customer, congratulations on the purchase of your new Ram vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision workmanship, distinctive styling, and
high quality.
This is a specialized utility vehicle. It can go places and perform tasks that are not intended for conventional passenger vehicles. It handles and
maneuvers differently from many passenger vehicles both on-road and off-road, so take time to become familiar with your vehicle. If equipped, the
two-wheel drive version of this vehicle was designed for on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving or use in other severe conditions suited
for a four-wheel drive vehicle. Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Owner’s Manual. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls,
particularly those used for braking, steering, transmission, and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Your
driving skills will improve with experience. When driving off-road, or working the vehicle, don’t overload the vehicle or expect the vehicle to overcome
the natural laws of physics. Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws wherever you drive. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or a collision Úpage 234.
This Owner's Manual has been prepared with the assistance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with the operation and maintenance
of your vehicle. It is supplemented by customer-oriented documents. Within this information, you will find a description of the services that FCA US LLC
offers to its customers as well as the details of the terms and conditions for maintaining its validity. Please take the time to read all of these publications
carefully before driving your vehicle for the first time. Following the instructions, recommendations, tips, and important warnings in this manual will help
ensure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
This Owner's Manual describes all versions of this vehicle. Options and equipment dedicated to specific markets or versions are not expressly indicated
in the text. Therefore, you should only consider the information that is related to the trim level, engine, and version that you have purchased. Any content
introduced throughout the Owner's Information, which may or may not be applicable to your vehicle, will be identified with the wording “If Equipped”.
All data contained in this publication are intended to help you use your vehicle in the best possible way. FCA US LLC aims at a constant improvement
of the vehicles produced. For this reason, it reserves the right to make changes to the model described for technical and/or commercial reasons. For
further information, contact an authorized dealer.
When it comes to service, remember that authorized dealers know your Ram best, have factory-trained technicians and genuine MOPAR® parts, and
care about your satisfaction.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE81
Opening And Closing The Sunroof
Express Open/Close
Push the switch rearward and release it within
one-half second and the sunroof will open
automatically from any position. The sunroof
will open fully and stop automatically.
Push the switch forward and release it within
one-half second and the sunroof will close
automatically from any position. The sunroof
will close fully and stop automatically.
During Express Open or Express Close
operation, any other movement of the sunroof
switch will stop the sunroof.
Manual Open/Close
To open the sunroof, push and hold the switch
rearward to full open.
To close the sunroof, push and hold the switch
in the forward position.
Any release of the switch during open or close
operation will stop the sunroof movement. The
sunroof will remain in a partially opened
position until the switch is operated and held
again. NOTE:
If the sunshade is in the closed position when
Express or Manual Open operation is initiated
the sunshade will automatically open to the half
open position prior to the sunroof opening.
Pinch Protect Feature
This feature will detect an obstruction in the
opening of the sunroof during Express Close
operation. If an obstruction in the path of the
sunroof is detected, the sunroof will
automatically retract. Remove the obstruction if
this occurs.
NOTE:
If three consecutive sunroof close attempts
result in Pinch Protect reversals, Pinch Protect
will disable and the sunroof must be closed in
Manual Mode.
Venting Sunroof — Express
Push and release the Vent button within one
half second and the sunroof will open to the
vent position. This is called “Express Vent”, and
it will occur regardless of sunroof position.
During Express Vent operation, any other
actuation of the switch will stop the sunroof.
Sunshade Operation
The sunshade can be opened manually.
However, the sunshade will open automatically
as the sunroof opens.
NOTE:
The sunshade cannot be closed if the sunroof is
open.
Ignition Off Operation
The power sunroof switch will remain active for
up to approximately 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
Opening either front door will cancel this
feature.
NOTE:
Ignition Off time is programmable through the
Uconnect system Ú
page 237.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth
to clean the glass panel. Periodically check for
and clear out any debris that may have
collected in the tracks.
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84GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Venting Sunroof — Express
Push and release the Vent button within one
half second and the sunroof will open to the
vent position. This is called “Express Vent” and
it will occur regardless of sunroof position.
During Express Vent operation, any movement
of the switch will stop the sunroof.
NOTE:
If the sunshade was not already open, it will
automatically open prior to the roof opening to
the vent position.
Ignition Off Operation
The power sunroof switch will remain active for
up to approximately 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
Opening either front door will cancel this
feature.
NOTE:
Ignition Off time is programmable through the
Uconnect system Úpage 237.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth
to clean the glass panel. Periodically check for
and clear out any debris that may have
collected in the tracks.
HOOD
TO OPEN THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be
released.

1. Pull the hood release lever located below
the steering wheel at the base of the
instrument panel.

Hood Release Lever Location
2. Reach into the opening beneath the center
of the hood and push the safety latch lever
to the left to release it, before raising the
hood.

Safety Latch Location

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL115
Up And Down Arrow Buttons:
Using the up or down arrow button allows
you to cycle through the Main Menu Items.
Left And Right Arrow Buttons:
Using the left or right arrow button allows
you to cycle through the submenu items of the
Main menu item.
NOTE:
Holding the up / down or left /
right arrow buttons will loop the user
through the currently selected menu or
options presented on the screen.
Main menu and submenus wrap for contin -
uous scrolling.
Upon returning to a main menu, the last
submenu screen viewed within that main
menu will be displayed.
OK Button:
For Digital Speedometer:
Pushing the OK button changes units (mph or
km/h).
For Screen Setup:
OK button allows user to enter menu and
submenus.
Within each submenu layer, the up and
down arrow buttons will allow the user to
select the item of interest.
Pushing the OK button makes the selection
and a confirmation screen will appear
(returning the user to the first page of the
submenu).
Pushing the left arrow button will exit each
submenu layer and return to the main menu.
OIL LIFE RESET
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
change indicator system. The “Oil Change
Required” message will display in the
instrument cluster display for five seconds after
a single chime has sounded, to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based,
which means the engine oil change interval may
fluctuate, dependent upon your personal
driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to
display each time you place the ignition in the
ON/RUN position. To turn off the message
temporarily, push and release the OK or arrow
buttons. To reset the oil change indicator
system (after performing the scheduled
maintenance), refer to the following procedure:
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, push the
ENGINE START/STOP button and place the
ignition in the ON/RUN position (do not
start the engine).

2. Push and release the down arrow button
to scroll downward through the main menu
to “Vehicle Info.”
3. Push and release the right arrow button
to access the ”Oil Life” screen.
4. Push and hold the OK button to reset oil life.
If conditions are met, the gauge and
numeric display will update to show 100%.
If conditions are not met a pop up message
of “To reset oil life engine must be off with
ignition in run” will be displayed (for five
seconds), and the user will remain at the Oil
Life screen.
5. Push and release the up or down
arrow button to exit the submenu 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.
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122GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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
instrument cluster:
Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at
Highway Speeds to Remedy — This message
will be displayed in the instrument cluster if
the exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of
its maximum storage capacity. Under condi -
tions of exclusive short duration and low
speed driving cycles, your diesel engine and
exhaust after-treatment system may never
reach the conditions required to cleanse the
filter 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 instrument
cluster display. 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 up to
20 minutes, you can remedy the condition in
the particulate filter system and allow your
diesel engine and exhaust after-treatment
system to cleanse the filter to remove the
trapped PM and restore the system to normal
operating condition.
Exhaust System — Regeneration In Process
Exhaust Filter XX% Full — This message indi-
cates that the DPF is self-cleaning. Maintain
your current driving condition until regenera -
tion is completed.
Exhaust System — Regeneration Completed
— This message indicates that the 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.
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, extensive
exhaust after-treatment damage can occur.
To correct this condition it will be necessary
to have your vehicle serviced by an autho -
rized dealer.
NOTE:
Failing to follow the oil change indicator,
changing your oil and resetting the oil change
indicator by 0 miles remaining will prevent the
diesel exhaust filter from performing it's
cleaning routine. This will shortly result in a
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) and reduced
engine power. Only an authorized dealer will be
able to correct this condition.
CAUTION!
See an authorized dealer, as damage to the
exhaust system could occur soon with
continued operation.
CAUTION!
See an authorized dealer, as damage to the
exhaust system could occur soon with
continued operation.

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