maintenance Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2014 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE .............................9
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE ............................115
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ..................................195
5
STARTING AND OPERATING .................................................289
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES ..............................................419
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE ...............................................443
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES .................................................507
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE ........................................515
10
INDEX ....................................................................525
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by Warranty Information, and various
customer-oriented documents. Please take the time to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After reviewing the owner information, it
should be stored in the vehicle for convenient referenc-
ing and remain with the vehicle when sold.When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained tech-
nicians and genuine parts, and cares about your satisfac-
tion.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
Since the specification of your vehicle depends on the
items of equipment ordered, certain descriptions and
illustrations may differ from your vehicle’s equipment.
The detailed index at the back of this Owner’s Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any
way (including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved
seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify the air bag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.
• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned to the ON/RUN position.
• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to
eight second interval.
• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchorage position directly
behind the child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a split rear seat,
make sure the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove
slack in the strap.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”.
108 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .266
▫ Radio Operation ..................... .267
▫ CD Player .......................... .267
 CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE ...........267
 RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES . .268
 CLIMATE CONTROLS ...................268
▫ Manual Climate Controls Without Touchscreen —
If Equipped ........................ .269
▫ Manual Climate Controls With Touchscreen — If
Equipped .......................... .274▫
Automatic Climate Controls With Touchscreen —
If Equipped ......................... .279
▫ Summer Operation ....................286
▫ Winter Operation ..................... .286
▫ Vacation/Storage .....................287
▫ Window Fogging and Frosting ............287
▫ Outside Air Intake .....................287
▫ Control Setting Suggestions For Various Weather
Conditions ......................... .288
196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

16. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — If
EquippedEach tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Service Stop/Start System Telltale — If Equipped
This telltale will turn on to indicate that the
Stop/Start is Unavailable, service Stop/
Start system.
• Loose Fuel Filler Cap
This telltale will turn on to indicate that the
fuel filler cap may be loose.
• Water In Fuel Indicator Light — Diesel Only
The “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will
illuminate when there is water detected in
the fuel filters. If this light remains on, DO
NOT start the vehicle before you drain the
water from the fuel filters to prevent engine damage.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/
Water Separator Filters” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle” for further information. •
Wait To Start Light — Diesel Only
The “Wait To Start” telltale will illuminate for
approximately two seconds when the ignition
is turned to the RUN position. It’s duration may be
longer based on colder operating conditions. Vehicle
will not initiate start until telltale is out. Refer to
“Starting Procedures” in “Starting And Operating”
for further information.
NOTE: The “Wait To Start” telltale may not illuminate if
the intake manifold temperature is warm enough.
•Low Diesel Exhaust Fluid Light — Diesel Only
This telltale will turn on to indicate the
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is low.
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The button located in the center of the right hand control
will switch modes to Radio, CD or other valid audio
sources.
The left hand control is a rocker type switch with a
pushbutton in the center. The function of the left hand
control is different depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left hand control operation in
each mode.
Radio Operation
Pressing the top of the switch will SEEK up for the next
listenable station and pressing the bottom of the switch
will SEEK down for the next listenable station.
The button located in the center of the left hand control
will tune to the next pre-set station that you have
programmed in the radio pre-set pushbuttons.
CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within eight
seconds after the current track begins to play.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep a CD/DVD in good condition, take the following
precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching thesurface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth, wiping from center to edge.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 267

To provide you with maximum comfort in the Automatic
mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will remain
on low until the engine warms up. The blower will
increase in speed and transition into Auto mode.
Recirculation Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired,
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the RECIRCULATION control button.
Recirculation mode should only be used temporarily. The
recirculation LED will illuminate on the soft and hard
keys when either button is selected. Push either soft or
hard key a second time to turn off the Recirculation mode
LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:
In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The recirculation feature
may be unavailable (soft-key button greyed out) if condi-
tions exist that could create fogging on the inside of the windshield. On systems with Manual Climate Controls, the
recirculation mode is not allowed in Defrost mode to
improve window clearing operation. Recirculation will be
disabled automatically if this mode is selected. Attempting
to use Recirculation while in this mode will cause the LED
in the control button to blink and then turn off.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106) is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
286 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ........................... .408
▫ Operating Tips ...................... .409
▫ General Maintenance ...................409
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................410
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .410 ▫
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models .............................411
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .412
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STARTING AND OPERATING 293