check engine light Ram 2500 2013 User Guide

avoid damage to the environment. You should know
your vehicle’s abilities and be able to recover it if
something goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a
vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested
water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls do not
attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested water
first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. You want
to use first gear in 4L (Low Range) and proceed very
slowly with a constant slow speed (3-5 mph [5–8 km/h]
maximum) and light throttle. Keep the vehicle moving;
do not try to accelerate through the crossing. After
crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle
differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids
for signs of water ingestion.CAUTION!
Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, transfer
case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive
too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause
permanent damage to engine, driveline or other
vehicle components and your brakes will be less
effective once wet and/or muddy.
• Before You Cross Any Type Of Water – As you
approach any type of water you need to determine if
you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get
out and walk through the water or probe it with a
stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle,
current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or
muddy waters, check for hidden obstacles. Make sure
you will not be intruding on any wildlife and you can
recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 433

•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
The limited-slip differential provides additional traction
on snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly when
there is a difference between the traction characteristics
of the surface under the right and left rear wheels. During
normal driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit per-
forms similarly to a conventional differential. On slip-
pery surfaces, however, the differential delivers more of
the driving effort to the rear wheel having the better
traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during
slippery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a
slippery surface, a slight application of the accelerator will supply maximum traction. When starting with only
one rear wheel on an excessively slippery surface, slight
momentary application of the parking brake may be
necessary to gain maximum traction.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differential
never run the engine with one rear wheel off the
ground since the vehicle may drive through the rear
wheel remaining on the ground. You could lose
control of the vehicle.
Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could
cause both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to
slide sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a
turn.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 441

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.
NOTE: With electronic shift transfer case:
•
Steps 3 and 4 are requirements that must be met prior to
pressing the button to shift out of NEUTRAL (N), and
must continue to be met until the shift has been com-
pleted. If any of these requirements are not met before
pressing the button or are no longer met during the shift,
the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash continuously
until all requirements are met or until the button is
released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position for
a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to
be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON/RUN
position, the shift will not take place and no position
indicator lights will be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 573

“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press
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 “Malfunction
Indicator 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 may
notbe 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 key-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.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start this test over.
3. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
640 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmission below
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.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake. NOTE:
To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or replenishing fluid, make
sure that the dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is
normal for the dipstick cap to spring back slightly from
its fully seated position, as long as its seal remains
engaged in the dipstick tube.
Fluid And Filter Changes – Six-Speed
Transmission
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter(s) if the fluid
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the trans-
mission is disassembled for any reason.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
668 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and automatic transmission (six-speed only) as
needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
• Lube the front drive shaft fitting (2500/3500 (4x4)
models only). 8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 705

Fluid Level Check...................... .665
Fluid Type ........................... .665
Shifting ............................. .364
Special Additives ...................... .666
Axle Fluid ............................. .663
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) .................663
Back-Up Camera ......................... .189
Bar, Stabilizer/Sway System ..................420
Battery ................................ .647
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........29
Belts, Seat ...............................50
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................649
B-Pillar Location ......................... .493
Brake Assist System ...................... .474
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............473
Brake Fluid ............................ .661
Brake System ........................... .470Anti-Lock (ABS)
....................... .471
Fluid Check .......................... .661
Master Cylinder ....................... .661
Parking ............................. .468
Warning Light ........................ .257
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................354
Bulb Replacement ........................ .686
Bulbs, Light ............................ .120
Cab Top Clearance Lights ...................693
Camera, Rear ........................... .189
Camper ............................... .242
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .696
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .645
Power Steering ........................ .467
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................657
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..................117
Cargo Light ............................ .166
10
INDEX 723

Car Washes............................ .669
Cellular Phone .......................... .313
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............692
Center Seat Storage Compartment .............216
Certification Label ........................ .536
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .488
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .255
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............116
Checks, Safety ............................116
Child Restraint ............................82
Cigar Lighter ........................... .209
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .527
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .671
Climate Control ......................... .314
Cold Weather Operation ....................345
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............312
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .503
Console, Overhead ....................... .191Contract, Service
......................... .715
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........657
Cooling System .......................... .654
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............656
Coolant Capacity ...................... .696
Coolant Level ......................... .654
Disposal of Used Coolant .................658
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................655
Inspection ........................... .658
Points to Remember .....................660
Pressure Cap ......................... .657
Radiator Cap ......................... .657
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............655
Corrosion Protection ...................... .668
Cupholders ..............................211
Customer Assistance ...................... .713
Data Recorder, Event .......................81
Daytime Running Lights ....................159
724 INDEX

Starting............................. .533
Flooded Engine Starting ....................345
Fluid, Brake ............................ .700
Fluid Capacities ......................... .696
Fluid Leaks ............................ .120
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... .661
Power Steering ........................ .467
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........698
Fog Lights ............................. .162
Fold Flat Load Floor ...................... .223
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................577
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .388
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................621
Front Axle (Differential) .....................663
Fuel .................................. .526
Adding ............................. .534
Additives ............................ .529
Clean Air ............................ .527Ethanol
............................. .527
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................536
Gasoline ............................. .526
Materials Added ....................... .529
Methanol ............................ .527
Octane Rating ......................... .526
Requirements ......................... .526
Tank Capacity ......................... .696
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .530
Fuel System Caution ...................... .535
Fuses ................................. .675
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................536
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .527
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .526
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................527
Gauges Speedometer ......................... .260
T
achometer ........................... .255
10
INDEX 727

Automatic Headlights....................158
Brake Assist Warning ....................484
Brake Warning ........................ .257
Bulb Replacement ...................... .687
Cap Top Clearance ..................... .693
Cargo .............................. .166
Center Mounted Stop ....................692
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) .........255
Courtesy/Reading ..................... .164
Daytime Running ...................... .159
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator .....484
Exterior ............................. .120
Fog ................................ .162
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ................391
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................577
Headlights ........................... .158
High Beam ........................... .168
High Beam Indicator .....................259
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............168Hill Descent Control Indicator
..............479
Illuminated Entry ........................22
Instrument Cluster ..................... .255
Interior ............................. .163
Oil Pressure .......................... .260
Passing ............................. .168
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .259
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ...............260
Service .............................. .686
Side Marker .......................... .695
SmartBeams .......................... .160
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ...............260
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............260
Traction Control ....................... .484
Transfer Case ......................... .391
Turn Signal .......................... .120
W

arning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......255
Limited-Slip Differential ....................441
Loading Vehicle ......................... .536
730 INDEX