service Ram 3500 Chassis Cab 2019 User Guide

90 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corrosion
protection and to protect against engine overheating. OAT
coolant (conforming to MS.90032) is recommended.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is functioning
properly and the proper amount, type, and concentration of
coolant is used. Use of the Air Recirculation mode during
Winter months is not recommended, because it may cause
window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Before you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service (i.e.,
vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air conditioning
system at idle for about five minutes, in fresh air with the
blower setting on high. This will ensure adequate system
lubrication to minimize the possibility of compressor
damage when the system is started again. Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild, rainy,
and/or humid weather. To clear the windows, select Defrost
or Mix mode and increase the front blower speed. Do not use
the Recirculation mode without A/C for long periods, as
fogging may occur.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to the
heating elements:
• Use care when washing the inside of the rear window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on the interior
surface of the window. Use a soft cloth and a mild
washing solution, wiping parallel to the heating
elements. Labels can be peeled off after soaking with
warm water.
• Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the interior surface of the window.
• Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 91
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the wind-
shield, is free of obstructions, such as leaves. Leaves collected
in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they enter the
plenum, they could plug the water drains. In Winter months,
make sure the air intake is clear of ice, slush, and snow.
Cabin Air Filter
The climate control system filters out dust and pollen from
the air. Contact an authorized dealer to service your cabin air
filter, and to have it replaced when needed. Operating Tips Chart
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124 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Base / Midline Instrument Cluster Descriptions
1. Tachometer• Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute(RPM x 1000).
2. Voltmeter
• When the vehicle is in the RUN state, the gauge indi -
cates the electrical system voltage. The pointer should
stay within the normal range if the battery is charged.
If the pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical
system should be serviced.
3. Instrument Cluster Display
• When the appropriate conditions exist, this displayshows the instrument cluster display messages. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information. 4. Oil Pressure Gauge
• The pointer should always indicate the oil pressurewhen the engine is running. A continuous high or low
reading under normal driving conditions may indicate
a lubrication system malfunction. Immediate service
should be obtained from an authorized dealer.
NOTE:
In vehicles equipped with Stop/Start, an oil pressure indica -
tion of zero is normal during an Autostop.
5. Speedometer
• Indicates vehicle speed.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 125
6. Fuel Gauge• The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tankwhen the ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
• The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the vehicle where the fuel door is located.
7. Temperature Gauge
• The gauge pointer shows engine coolant temperature.The pointer positioned within the normal range indi -
cates that the engine cooling system is operating satis -
factorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera -
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant. You
may want to call an authorized dealer for service if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the hood
yourself, see “Servicing And Maintenance.” Follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,” pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on the “H,” turn
the engine off immediately and call an authorized dealer
for service.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 127
Premium Instrument Cluster Descriptions
1. Tachometer• Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute(RPM x 1000).
2. Instrument Cluster Display
• When the appropriate conditions exist, this displayshows the instrument cluster display messages. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
3. Speedometer
• Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Fuel Gauge
• The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tankwhen the ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
• The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the vehicle where the fuel door is located. 5. Temperature Gauge
• The gauge pointer shows engine coolant temperature.The pointer positioned within the normal range indi -
cates that the engine cooling system is operating satis -
factorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera -
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant. You
may want to call an authorized dealer for service if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the hood
yourself, see “Servicing And Maintenance.” Follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
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128 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY
Your vehicle will be equipped with an instrument cluster
display, which offers useful information to the driver. With
the ignition in the STOP/OFF mode, opening/closing of a
door will activate the display for viewing, and display the
total miles, or kilometers, in the odometer. Your instrument
cluster display is designed to display important information
about your vehicle’s systems and features. Using a driver
interactive display located on the instrument panel, your
instrument cluster display can show you how systems are
working and give you warnings when they are not. The
steering wheel mounted controls allow you to scroll through
the main menus and submenus. You can access the specific
information you want and make selections and adjustments.
Instrument Cluster Display Controls
The instrument cluster display features a driver-interactive
display that is located in the instrument cluster.Base Instrument Cluster Display
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,” pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on the “H,” turn
the engine off immediately and call an authorized dealer
for service.
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 145
Loss of the battery charge may indicate one or more of the
following conditions:
• The charging system cannot deliver enough electricalpower to the vehicle system because the electrical loads are
larger than the capability of charging system. The charging
system is still functioning properly.

• Turning on all possible vehicle electrical loads (e.g. HVAC to max settings, exterior and interior lights, overloaded power
outlets +12V, 115V AC, USB ports) during certain driving
conditions (city driving, towing, frequent stopping).

• Installing options like additional lights, upfitter electrical accessories, audio systems, alarms and similar devices.
• Unusual driving cycles (short trips separated by long parking periods).
• The vehicle was parked for an extended period of time (weeks, months).
• The battery was recently replaced and was not charged completely.
• The battery was discharged by an electrical load left on when the vehicle was parked.
• The battery was used for an extended period with the engine not running to supply radio, lights, chargers, +12V
portable appliances like vacuum cleaners, game consoles
and similar devices. What to do when an electrical load reduction action
message is present (“Battery Saver On” or “Battery Saver
Mode”)
During a trip:
• Reduce power to unnecessary loads if possible:
• Turn off redundant lights (interior or exterior).
• Check what may be plugged in to power outlets +12V,115V AC, USB ports.
• Check HVAC settings (blower, temperature).
• Check the audio settings (volume).
After a trip:
• Check if any aftermarket equipment was installed (addi -
tional lights, upfitter electrical accessories, audio systems,
alarms) and review specifications if any (load and Ignition
Off Draw currents).
• Evaluate the latest driving cycles (distance, driving time and parking time).
• The vehicle should have service performed if the message is still present during consecutive trips and the evaluation
of the vehicle and driving pattern did not help to identify
the cause.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 147
ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake
pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capacity in
the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic system. A
leak in either half of the dual brake system is indicated by the
Brake Warning Light, which will turn on when the brake
fluid level in the master cylinder has dropped below a spec-
ified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp cornering
maneuvers, which change fluid level conditions. The vehicle
should have service performed, and the brake fluid level
checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary. Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning
Light will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate
repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the ON/
RUN position. The light should illuminate for approximately
two seconds. The light should then turn off unless the
parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected. If the
light does not illuminate, have the light inspected by an
authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is applied. It
does not show the degree of brake application.
— Hood Open Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the hood is ajar/
open and not fully closed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving, there will also be a single chime.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It
will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have a
collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
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148 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
— Vehicle Security Warning Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approximately 15
seconds when the vehicle security alarm is arming, and then
will flash slowly until the vehicle is disarmed.
— Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This warning light warns of an overheated engine condition.
If the engine coolant temperature is too high, this indicator
will illuminate and a single chime will sound. If the tempera -
ture reaches the upper limit, a continuous chime will sound
for four minutes or until the engine is able to cool: whichever
comes first.
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 “In Case Of Emer -
gency” for further information. — Battery Charge Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the battery is not
charging properly. If it stays on while the engine is running,
there may be a malfunction with the charging system.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This indicates a possible problem with the electrical system
or a related component.
— Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to indicate low engine oil
pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle,
shut off the engine as soon as possible, and contact an autho -
rized dealer. A chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. This
light does not indicate how much oil is in the engine. The
engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
— Oil Temperature Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to indicate the engine oil
temperature is high. If the light turns on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. Wait
for oil temperature to return to normal levels.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 149
— Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to indicate a problem with
the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a problem is
detected while the vehicle is running, the light will either
stay on or flash depending on the nature of the problem.
Cycle the ignition when the vehicle is safely and completely
stopped and the transmission is placed in the PARK position.
The light should turn off. If the light remains on with the
vehicle running, your vehicle will usually be drivable;
however, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as
possible.
NOTE:
This light may turn on if the accelerator and brake pedals are
pressed at the same time.
If the light continues to flash when the vehicle is running,
immediate service is required and you may experience
reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine
stall and your vehicle may require towing. The light will
come on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN or
ACC/ON/RUN position 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. — Trailer Brake Disconnected Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the Trailer Brake has
been disconnected.
— Transmission Temperature Warning Light — If
Equipped
This warning light will illuminate to warn of a high transmis -
sion fluid temperature. This may occur with strenuous usage
such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, stop the vehicle
and run the engine at idle or slightly faster, with the trans -
mission in PARK or NEUTRAL, until the light turns off.
Once the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illuminated
you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact
with hot engine or exhaust components and cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Temperature
Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause severe
transmission damage or transmission failure.
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