fuel Ram 2500 2016 Diesel Supplement

A MESSAGE FROM FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC welcomes you as a turbocharged diesel-
powered truck owner. Your diesel truck will sound, feel,
drive, and operate differently from a gasoline-powered
truck. It is important that you read and understand this
manual.
Almost 100% of the heavy trucks in the United States and
Canada are diesel-powered because of the fuel economy,
rugged durability, and high torque which permits pulling
heavy loads.
You may find that some of the starting, operating, and
maintenance procedures are different. However, they are
simple to follow and careful adherence to them will
ensure that you take full advantage of the features of this
engine.NOTE:
•
Some aftermarket products may cause severe engine/
transmission and/or exhaust system damage. Your
vehicle’s Powertrain Control Systems can detect and
store information about vehicle modifications that
increase horsepower and torque output such as
whether or not performance-enhancing powertrain
components, commonly referred to as downloaders,
power boxes, or performance chips have been used.
• Any chassis/suspension or tire size modifications to
the vehicle will effect the performance of the Adaptive
Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning Sys-
tem.
8 INTRODUCTION

•Fuel meets minimum requirement
• System not disabled from previous remote start event
• Vehicle security alarm not active
• Water In Fuel Indicator Light is not illuminated
• “Wait To Start” telltale is not illuminated
WARNING!
•Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or
confined area. Exhaust gas contains Carbon Mon-
oxide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon
Monoxide is poisonous and can cause serious in-
jury or death when inhaled.
• Keep Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters
away from children. Operation of the Remote Start
System, windows, door locks or other controls
could cause serious injury or death.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The diesel engine does not require a break-in period due
to its construction. Normal operation is allowed, provid-
ing the following recommendations are followed:
• Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged
periods.
• Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent
engine lugging.
• Observe vehicle oil pressure and temperature indica-
tors.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

NOTE:Light duty operation such as light trailer towing
or no load operation will extend the time before the
engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown under “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts”,
under “Maintaining Your Vehicle” in this manual. NON-
DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST
NEVER BE USED.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Display •When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
3. Speedometer •Indicates vehicle speed. 4. Fuel Gauge
•The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
5. DEF Gauge •The DEF Gauge displays the actual level of Diesel
Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank. Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) is required to maintain normal vehicle opera-
tion and emissions compliance. If something is
wrong with the gauge, a DEF Warning Message or
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will be displayed.
More information is available in the Electronic Ve-
hicle Information (EVIC) or Driver Information Dis-
play (DID) section under the heading of Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages.
18 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

3. Oil Pressure Gauge•The pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous high
or low reading under normal driving conditions may
indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained from an authorized
dealer.
4. Speedometer •Indicates vehicle speed.
5. Fuel Gauge •The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position. 6. Driver Information Display (DID)
•When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Driver Information Display (DID) mes-
sages. Refer to “Driver Information Display” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
7. DEF Gauge •The DEF Gauge displays the actual level of Diesel
Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank. Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) is required to maintain normal vehicle opera-
tion and emissions compliance. If something is
wrong with the gauge, a DEF Warning Message or
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will be displayed.
More information is available in the Electronic Ve-
hicle Information (EVIC) or Driver Information Dis-
play (DID) section under the heading of Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages.
22 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Yellow Telltale Indicator Lights
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine and automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condition checked
promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor quality fuel, etc., may illuminate
the light after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through sev-
eral typical driving styles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
When the engine is running, the MIL may flash to alert serious conditions that could lead to
immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be ser-
viced as soon as possible if this occurs.
36 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) on could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect fuel economy and
driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 37

Tire Pressure Monitoring Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Tire Pressure Monitoring Indicator Light
The warning light switches on and a message is displayed to indicate that the tire pressure
is lower than the recommended value and/or that slow pressure loss is occurring. In these
cases, optimal tire duration and fuel consumption may not be guaranteed.
Should one or more tires be in the condition mentioned above, the display will show the
indications corresponding to each tire in sequence.
In any situation in which the message on the display is
See manual, it is ESSENTIAL to
refer to the contents of the Wheelsparagraph in the Technical datachapter, strictly com-
plying with the indications that you find there.
IMPORTANT: Do not continue driving with one or more
flat tires as handling may be compromised. Stop the
vehicle, avoiding sharp braking and steering. Repair
immediately using the dedicated tire repair kit and
contact your authorized dealership as soon as possible. Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated
40 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 41

Low Fuel Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Low Fuel Indicator Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 3.0 gal (11.0 L) this light will turn on, and remain
on until fuel is added.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 43