ABS Ram 3500 2017 Diesel Supplement

2. Insert DEF fill adapter/nozzle into DEF tank filler neck.
NOTE:
•The DEF gauge may take up to five seconds to update
after adding a gallon or more of Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) to the DEF tank. If you have a fault related to the
DEF system, the gauge may not update to the new level.
See your authorized dealer for service.
• The DEF gauge may also not immediately update after a
refill if the temperature of the DEF fluid is below 12F
(-11C). The DEF line heater will possibly warm up the
DEF fluid and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is possible
that the gauge may not reflect the new fill level for
several drives.CAUTION!
• To avoid DEF spillage, and possible damage to the
DEF tank from overfilling, do not “top off” the DEF
tank after filling.
• DO NOT OVERFILL. DEF will freeze below 12ºF
(-11ºC). The DEF system is designed to work in
temperatures below the DEF freezing point, how-
ever, if the tank is overfilled and freezes, the system
could be damaged.
• When DEF is spilled, clean the area immediately
with water and use an absorbent material to soak up
the spills on the ground.
• Do not attempt to start your engine if DEF is acci-
dentally added to the diesel fuel tank as it can result
in severe damage to your engine, including but not
limited to failure of the fuel pump and injectors.
(Continued)
50 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. Install the air cleaner cover onto the housing assemblylocating tabs.
3. Latch the spring clips and lock the air cleaner cover to the housing assembly.
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter
The fuel filter/water separator filter housing is located
above the rear axle next to the fuel tank. The best access to
this water drain valve is from under the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Do not drain the fuel/water separator filter when the
engine is running.
• Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
If water is detected in the water separator while the engine
is running, or while the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illumi-
nate and an audible chime will be heard. At this point, you
should stop the engine and drain the water from the filter
housing.
1 — Water In Fuel Drain
2 — Fuel Filter Access
CAUTION!
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain water from
the fuel filter to avoid engine damage.
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” comes on and a single
chime is heard while you are driving, or with the ignition
Fuel Filter Assembly
60 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or mois-
ture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has been
in a tightly closed container. Keep the master cylin-
der reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in
a open container absorbs moisture from the air
resulting in a lower boiling point. This may cause it
to boil unexpectedly during hard or prolonged brak-
ing, resulting in sudden brake failure. This could
result in a accident.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing the
brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also damage
painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be taken to
avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in an accident.
70 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•To avoid DEF spillage, and possible damage to the
DEF tank from overfilling, do not “top off” the DEF
tank after filling.
• DO NOT OVERFILL. DEF will freeze below 12ºF
(-11ºC). The DEF system is designed to work in
temperatures below the DEF freezing point, how-
ever, if the tank is overfilled and freezes, the system
could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•When DEF is spilled, clean the area immediately
with water and use an absorbent material to soak up
the spills on the ground.
• Do not attempt to start your engine if DEF is acci-
dentally added to the diesel fuel tank as it can result
in severe damage to your engine, including but not
limited to failure of the fuel pump and injectors.
• Never add anything other than DEF to the tank –
especially any form of hydrocarbon such as diesel
fuel, fuel system additives, gasoline, or any other
petroleum-based product. Even a very small amount
of these, less than 100 parts per million or less than
1 oz. per 78 gallons (295 liters) will contaminate the
entire DEF system and will require replacement. If
owners use a container, funnel or nozzle when refill-
ing the tank, it should either be new or one that is
has only been used for adding DEF. MOPAR pro-
vides an attachable nozzle with its DEF for this
purpose.
3. Stop filling the DEF tank immediately when any of the following happen: DEF stops flowing from the fill bottle
into the DEF tank, DEF splashes out the filler neck, or a
DEF pump nozzle automatically shuts off.
Filling The DEF Tank
166 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Reinstall cap onto DEF tank.
Filling The Def Tank In Cold Climates
Since DEF will begin to freeze at 12°F (-11°C), your vehicle
is equipped with an automatic DEF heating system. This
allows the DEF injection system to operate properly at
temperatures below 12°F (-11°C). If your vehicle is not in
operation for an extended period of time with tempera-
tures below 12°F (-11°C), the DEF in the tank may freeze. If
the tank is overfilled and freezes, it could be damaged.
Therefore, do not overfill the DEF tank.
The DEF tank on these vehicles is designed with a large
amount of full reserve. So the level sensor will indicate a
Full reading even before the tank is completely full. To put
it another way, there’s additional storage capacity in the
tank above the Full mark that’s not represented in the
gauge. You may not see any movement in the reading –
even after driving up to 2,000 miles in some cases.
The difference this makes varies by vehicle. Heavy-duty
pickup trucks have a 5.7-gallon (21.5 liter) tank that will
display a Full reading when about 90 percent full. This
means that drivers can consume at least 10 percent of a
truly full DEF tank without seeing any visible change in the
gauge reading. Chassis cabs have a larger 9-gallon (34 liter)
tank, and will display a Full reading when about 75 percentfull. So drivers can consume 25 percent of a truly full DEF
tank without seeing any visible change in the gauge
reading.
Extra care should be taken when filling with portable
containers to avoid overfilling. Note the level of the DEF
gauge in your instrument cluster. On pickup applications,
you may safely add a maximum of 2 gallons (7.5 liters) of
DEF from portable containers when your DEF gauge is
reading ½ full. On Chassis Cab applications a maximum of
2 gallons (7.5 liters) may be added when the DEF gauge is
reading ¾ full.
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID
Your vehicle is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduc-
tion system to meet the very stringent diesel emissions
standards required by the Environmental Protection
Agency.
The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of NOx
(oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines) that are harmful
to our health and the environment to a near-zero level.
Small quantities of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is injected
into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst where, when
vaporized, it converts smog-forming nitrogen oxides
(NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water vapor (H2O),
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 167

2. Install the air cleaner cover onto the housing assemblylocating tabs.
3. Install screws to secure the air cleaner cover to the housing assembly.
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter
There are two fuel filter assemblies. One is located on the
driver’s side of the engine. The best access to this water
drain valve is from under the hood. The second one is on
the under body, located in front of the rear axle above the
drive shaft on pick-up models. The Chassis Cab models
second filter location is on the frame behind the front axle.
The best access to this water drain valve is from under the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Do not drain the fuel/water separator filter when the
engine is running.
• Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
If water is detected in the water separator while the engine
is running, or while the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illumi-
nate and an audible chime will be heard five times. At this point you should stop the engine and drain the water from
both of the filters.
CAUTION!
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage.
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” comes on and a single
chime is heard while you are driving, or with the ignition
switch in the ON position, there may be a problem with
your water separator wiring or sensor. See your authorized
dealer for service.
Upon proper draining of the water from both fuel filters,
the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will remain illuminated
for approximately 10 seconds. If the water was drained
while the engine was running, the “Water In Fuel Indicator
Light” may remain on for approximately three minutes.
NOTE: Care should be taken in disposing of used fluids
from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately discarded,
can present a problem to the environment. Contact an
authorized dealer, service station, or government agency
for advice on recycling programs and for where used fluids
and filters can be properly disposed of in your area.
184 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

With disc brakes, the fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a system check
should be conducted.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Using the wrong type of brake fluid can severely
damage your brake system and/or impair its perfor-
mance. The proper type of brake fluid for your
vehicle is also identified on the original factory
installed hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or mois-
ture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has been
in a tightly closed container. Keep the master cylin-
der reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in
a open container absorbs moisture from the air
resulting in a lower boiling point. This may cause it
to boil unexpectedly during hard or prolonged brak-
ing, resulting in sudden brake failure. This could
result in a accident.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing the
brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also damage
painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be taken to
avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in an accident.
Clutch Hydraulic System
The clutch hydraulic system is a sealed maintenance-free
system. In the event of leakage or other malfunction, the
system must be replaced.
196 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE