engine overheat Ram 3500 Chassis Cab 2016 User Guide

General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery
terminals clean and free of corrosion.
When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drive-
train damage, the following precautions should be ob-
served.
•Operate with transfer case in 4L when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to
exceed 15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in
4H. •
Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4L
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting
the transmission.
522 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ...........532
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............532
 WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ..................... .533
▫ Torque Specifications ..................533
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ..........536
▫ 4500/5500 Models .....................536
▫ Preparations For Jacking .................537
▫ Jacking Instructions ....................537
 HOISTING .......................... .544
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES ...........544
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ..............545
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ................547
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............549
 EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED . .551
 SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................551
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........552
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models ................554
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Models ................555
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
upper switch bank just below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed while maintaining the motion of the vehicle
with the brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
532 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd gear
and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while gently
pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accel-
erator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the en-
gine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 549

CAUTION!(Continued)
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of clutch or transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC
Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
550 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions control
device and may seriously reduce engine perfor-
mance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
582 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
expansion bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never add
engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool
an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to
build up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding
or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 587

Emission Control System Maintenance..........561
Engine ................................ .559
Air Cleaner .......................... .567
Break-In Recommendations .............112,113
Compartment Identification ................559
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................622
Exhaust Gas Caution .................114,498
Flooded, Starting ...................... .399
Fuel Requirements ..................... .494
Jump Starting ......................... .544
Oil ............................. .564, 622
Oil Filler Cap ......................... .566
Oil Filter ............................ .566
Oil Selection .......................... .565
Oil Synthetic ......................... .566
Overheating .......................... .532
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .566
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............78
Entry System, Illuminated ....................23 Ethanol
............................... .495
Event Data Recorder ........................81
Exhaust Gas Caution ....................114,498
Exhaust System .......................114,581
Exterior Lighting ......................... .159
Exterior Lights ...........................117
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .567
Engine Fuel .......................... .622
Engine Oil ........................ .566, 622
Engine Oil Disposal .....................566
Flashers Turn Signal .....................117, 168, 263
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ .544
Flooded Engine Starting ....................399
Fluid, Brake ............................ .624
Fluid Capacities ......................... .621
Fluid Leaks .............................118
10
INDEX 651

Recommendation...................... .565
Synthetic ............................ .566
Viscosity ............................ .566
Oil Filter, Change ........................ .566
Oil Pressure Light ........................ .243
Onboard Diagnostic System ..................560
Operating Precautions ..................... .560
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) .............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ...................132
Overdrive .............................. .413
Overdrive OFF Switch ..................... .413
Overhead Console ........................ .204
Overheating, Engine ...................... .532
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ..........4,640
Paint Care ............................. .597
Panic Alarm ..............................28
Parking Brake ........................... .435
ParkSense System, Rear ..................182, 192 Passing Light
........................... .169
Passive Entry .............................41
Pedals, Adjustable ........................ .175
Personalized Menu Bar .....................368
Personal Settings ..................... .279, 302
Pets ...................................112
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ..........463
Power Distribution Center (Fuses) ................604
Door Locks ............................38
Mirrors ............................. .134
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........206, 212
Seats ............................... .139
Sliding Rear Window ....................224
Steering .......................... .433, 434
Take-Off Adapter ...................... .416
Take-Off Operation ..................... .416
Windows ..............................45
10
INDEX 657