Ram 3500 2017 Diesel Supplement

INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
A MESSAGE FROM FCA US LLC .............90
1

A MESSAGE FROM FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC and Cummins welcome you as a Cummins
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 duty trucks in the United States
and Canada are diesel-powered because of the fuel
economy, rugged durability, and high torque which per-
mits pulling heavy loads. Cummins engines power well
over half of these trucks. Now this same technology and
proven performance is yours in your truck equipped with
the Cummins turbocharged diesel engine.
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, com-
monly referred to as downloaders, power boxes, or perfor-
mance chips have been used.
This information cannot be erased and will stay in the
system’s memory even if the modification is removed. This
information can be retrieved by FCA US LLC, and service
and repair facilities, when servicing your vehicle. This
information may be used to determine if repair will be
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
There is a probability that the use of a “performance chip”
will prohibit the engine from starting. In this instance, the
vehicle will need to be serviced by a authorized dealer in
order to return the vehicle to its factory settings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine MOPAR® parts, and cares about your
satisfaction.
90 INTRODUCTION

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED . . .92
▫ How To Use Remote Start ..................92
▫ Remote Start Abort Message ................93
▫ To Enter Remote Start Mode ................93
▫ To Exit Remote Start Mode Without Driving The
Vehicle ...............................93 ▫
To Exit Remote Start Mode And Drive The
Vehicle ...............................93
▫ Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped . . .94
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS .....94
2

REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
This system uses the key fob to start the engine
conveniently from outside the vehicle while still
maintaining security. The system has a range of
approximately 300 ft (91 m).
NOTE:
• The vehicle must be equipped with an automatic trans-
mission to be equipped with Remote Start.
• The Remote Start system will wait for the “Wait To Start”
telltale to extinguish before cranking the engine. This
allows time for the intake heater to pre-heat the incom-
ing air, and is normal operation in cold weather. Refer to
“Wait To Start” located in “Warning and Indicator
Lights” within “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”.
How To Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:
• Transmission in PARK
• Doors closed
• Hood closed •
HAZARD switch off
• BRAKE switch inactive (brake pedal not pushed)
• Ignition key removed from ignition switch
• Battery at an acceptable charge level
• PANIC button not pushed
• Fuel meets minimum requirement
• Water In Fuel Indicator Light is not illuminated
• Wait To Start Light is not illuminated
WARNING!
•Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or
confined area. Exhaust gas contains Carbon Monox-
ide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon
Monoxide is poisonous and can cause serious injury
or death when inhaled.
• Keep Remote Keyless Entry key fobs away from
children. Operation of the Remote Start System,
windows, door locks or other controls could cause
serious injury or death.
92 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Remote Start Abort Message
The following messages will display in the Instrument
Cluster Display if the vehicle fails to remote start or exits
remote start prematurely:
•Remote Start Aborted - Door Open
• Remote Start Aborted - Hood Open
• Remote Start Aborted - Fuel Low
• Remote Start Aborted - System Fault
The Instrument Cluster Display message stays active until
the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position.
To Enter Remote Start Mode
Push and release the REMOTE START button on
the key fob twice, within five seconds. The
parking lights will flash and the horn will chirp
twice (if programmed). In cold ambient tempera-
ture conditions, the diesel vehicle may delay crank up to 30
seconds for the fuel and grid heater. Once the vehicle has
started, the engine will run for 15 minutes or 75 seconds in
extreme cold and high elevation. NOTE:
•
The park lamps will turn on and remain on during
Remote Start mode.
• For security, power window and power sunroof opera-
tion (if equipped) are disabled when the vehicle is in the
Remote Start mode.
• The engine can be started two consecutive times (two
15-minute cycles) with the key fob. However, the igni-
tion switch must be cycled to the ON position before you
can repeat the start sequence for a third cycle.
To Exit Remote Start Mode Without Driving The
Vehicle
Push and release the REMOTE START button one time or
allow the engine to run for the entire fifteen minute cycle.
NOTE: To avoid unintentional shut downs, the system
will disable the one time push of the REMOTE START
button for two seconds after receiving a valid Remote Start
request.
To Exit Remote Start Mode And Drive The Vehicle
To exit Remote Start Mode and drive the vehicle before the
end of the 15-minute cycle, push and release the unlock
button on the key fob to unlock the door and disarm the
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 93

Vehicle Security Alarm System (if equipped). Then, prior to
the end of the 15-minute cycle, place the ignition to the
ON/RUN position.
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN
position in order to drive the vehicle.
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 the remote start is
activated. These features will stay on through the duration
of remote start or until the ignition switch is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the Instrument Cluster Display. For
more information on Remote Start Comfort System opera-
tion refer to your Owners Manual.
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 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 indicators.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carrying
or towing significant weight.
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.
For additional vehicle break-in requirements, refer to
“Trailer Towing” in “Starting And Operating” of the Own-
ers Manual.
Because of the construction of the Cummins turbocharged
diesel engine, engine run-in is enhanced by loaded oper-
ating conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve
final finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL .............96
▫ To Activate ............................96
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ...................97
▫ To Deactivate ..........................97 ▫
To Resume Speed .......................97
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting .................97
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................993

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
When engaged, the Electronic Speed Control takes over
accelerator operations at speeds greater than 25 mph
(40 km/h).
The Electronic Speed Control buttons are located on the
right side of the steering wheel.NOTE:
In order to ensure proper operation, the Electronic
Speed Control System has been designed to shut down if
multiple speed control functions are operated at the same
time. If this occurs, the Electronic Speed Control System
can be reactivated by pushing the Electronic Speed Control
ON/OFF button and resetting the desired vehicle set
speed.
To Activate
Push the on/off button. The cruise control set indicator
light in the instrument cluster display will illuminate. To
turn the system off, push the on/off button a second time.
The cruise control set indicator light will turn off. The
system should be turned off when not in use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on when
not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally set the
system or cause it to go faster than you want. You could
lose control and have an accident. Always leave the
system off when you are not using it.
Electronic Speed Control Switches
1 — ON/OFF 3 — SET -
2 — RES + 4 — CANCEL
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Electronic Speed Control on. When the vehicle has
reached the desired speed, push the SET (-) button and
release. Release the accelerator and the vehicle will operate
at the selected speed.
NOTE:The vehicle should be traveling at a steady speed
and on level ground before pushing the SET (-) button.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANC button or
normal brake pressure while slowing the vehicle will
deactivate the Electronic Speed Control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Pushing the on/off button or turning the ignition to the
OFF position erases the set speed from memory.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the RES (+) button
and release. Resume can be used at any speed above
25 mph (40 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Speed
When the Electronic Speed Control is set, you can increase
speed by pushing the RES (+) button.
The driver ’s preferred units can be selected through the
instrument panel settings if equipped. Refer to “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for more information.
The speed decrement shown is dependant on the chosen
speed unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h):
U.S. Speed (mph)
• Pushing the RES (+) button once will result in a 1 mph
increase in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in an increase of 1 mph.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will
continue to increase until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97

Metric Speed (km/h)
•Pushing the RES (+) button once will result in a 1 km/h
increase in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in an increase of 1 km/h.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will
continue to increase until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
To Decrease Speed
When the Electronic Speed Control is set, you can decrease
speed by pushing the SET (-) button.
The driver ’s preferred units can be selected through the
instrument panel settings if equipped. Refer to “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for more information.
The speed decrement shown is dependant on the chosen
speed unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h): U.S. Speed (mph)
•
Pushing the SET (-) button once will result in a 1 mph
decrease in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in a decrease of 1 mph.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will
continue to decrease until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
Metric Speed (km/h)
• Pushing the SET (-) button once will result in a 1 km/h
decrease in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in a decrease of 1 km/h.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will
continue to decrease until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE