steering Ram 3500 2014 Diesel Supplement

and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm System (if
equipped). Then prior to the end of the 15 minute cycle,
insert the Key Fob (if equipped) and rotate to RUN.
NOTE:
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
in order to drive the vehicle.
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the message “Insert Key/
Turn To On” will flash in the EVIC until you insert the
Key Fob into the ignition swich. Once inserted, the
message “Turn To On” will flash in the EVIC until you
turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped
When remote start is activated, the heated steering
wheel, and driver heated seat features will automatically
turn on in cold weather. In warm weather, the driver
vented seat feature will automatically turn on when theremote start is activated. These features will stay on
through the duration of remote start or until the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). For more information on Remote Start
Comfort System operation refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Customer-Programmable
Features (System Setup)” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel”.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The Cummins® turbocharged diesel engine does not
require a break-in period due to its construction. Normal
operation is allowed, providing the following recommen-
dations are followed:
•Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
•
Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged periods.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 149

in the Electronic Vehicle Information (EVIC) section
under the heading of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warn-
ing Messages.
25. Electric Power Steering Malfunction Warning Light
This telltale is on when the Electric Power
Steering is not operating and needs service.
26. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. The
light will come on when the ignition is first
turned ON and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have
the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the
vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever isplaced in the PARK position. The light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable. However, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is
required. You may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing.
27. Air Suspension Normal Ride Height Indicator Lamp
— If Equipped
This light will illuminate when the air suspension system
is set to the Normal Ride Height setting. For further
information, refer to “Air Suspension System” in “Start-
ing And Operating”.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

32. 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
For further information on four-wheel drive operation
and proper use, refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation —
If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating”.
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC)
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster.This system conveniently allows the driver to select a
variety of useful information by pressing the switches
mounted on the steering wheel.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center – If
Equipped” in the Owner’s Manual for further information.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle or en-
gine stall and your vehicle may require towing.
•Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proachesH,this indicator will illuminate and a
single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to
passH,a continuous chime will occur until the engine is
allowed to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over
and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it
off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and
idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading does not
return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and
call for service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats”
in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.•Electric Power Steering Malfunction Warning Light
This telltale is on when the Electric Power
Steering is not operating and needs service.
•Trailer Brake Disconnected Warning Light
This telltale is on when the Trailer Brake has
been disconnected.
7. Audio/Phone Information And Sub-menu Information
Whenever there are sub-menus available, the position
within the sub-menu is shown here.
The main display area will normally display the main
menu or the screens of a selected feature of the main
menu. The main display area also displays “pop up”
messages that consist of approximately 60 possible warn-
ing or information messages. These pop up messages fall
into several categories:
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 175

•The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
•If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
•If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
•5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer—
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
NOTE:When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the EVIC displays the message “Ac-
tive Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle
performance may be reduced until service is performed
by an authorized RAM dealer.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this
message appears, dealers should replace both frame
mounted and engine mounted fuel filters.
NOTE:Use the steering wheel EVIC controls for the
following procedure(s)
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183

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.
NOTE:Use the steering wheel EVIC controls for the
following procedure(s)
Vehicles Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, press the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the
ON/RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Press and release theDOWNarrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
3. Press and release theRIGHTarrow button to access
the ”Oil Life” screen.
4. Press and release theDOWNarrow button to select
“Reset”, then press and release theRightarrow button
to select reset of the Oil Life to 100%.5. Press and release theUparrow button to exit the EVIC
screen.
Vehicles Not Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, press the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the
ON/RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Press and release theDOWNarrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
3. Press and release theRIGHTarrow button to access
the ”Oil Life” screen.
4. Press and release theDOWNarrow button to select
“Reset”, then press and release theRightarrow button
to select reset of the Oil Life to 100%.
5. Press and release theUparrow button to exit the EVIC
screen.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185

•The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
•If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
•If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
•5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer—
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
NOTE:When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the EVIC displays the message “Ac-
tive Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle
performance may be reduced until service is performed
by an authorized RAM dealer.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this
message appears, dealers should replace both frame
mounted and engine mounted fuel filters.
NOTE:Use the steering wheel EVIC controls for the
following procedure(s)
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195

7. Press and release theUparrow button to exit the EVIC
screen once the Fuel Filter Life is 100%
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
Oil Life Reset
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
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.
NOTE:Use the steering wheel EVIC controls for the
following procedure(s)Vehicles Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, press the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the
ON/RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Press and release theDOWNarrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
3. Press and release theRIGHTarrow button to access
the ”Oil Life” screen.
4. Press and hold theRIGHTarrow button for one
second to access the ”Oil Life Reset” screen.
5. Press and release theDOWNarrow button to select
“Yes”, then press and release the Right arrow button to
select reset of the Oil Life.
6. Press and release theUparrow button to exit the EVIC
screen.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 197

The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
The shift lever is mounted on the right side of the steering
column. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting into RE-
VERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer toElectronic Range Select (ERS)
Operationin this section for further information). Press-
ing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the shift lever) while in the
DRIVE position will select the highest available transmis-
sion gear, and will display that gear in the instrument
cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads to distribute trailer tongue weight to the
tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used
in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, it pro-
vides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on vehicle
and trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
WARNING!
•An improperly adjusted Weight Distributing Hitch
system may reduce handling, stability, braking
performance, and could result in a collision.
•Weight Distributing Systems may not be compat-
ible with Surge Brake Couplers. Consult with your
hitch and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Rec-
reational Vehicle dealer for additional information.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch
The fifth-wheel hitch is a special high platform with a
coupling that mounts over the rear axle of the tow vehicle
in the truck bed. It connects a vehicle and fifth-wheel
trailer with a coupling king pin.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING