service RAM CHASSIS CAB 2021 User Guide

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL81
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
D
ESCRIPTIONS

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 indicates 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 display shows the instrument cluster
display messages Ú
page 90.

Base Instrument Cluster Display

The display always shows one of the main
menu item after ignition on. 4. Oil Pressure Gauge
The pointer should always indicate the
oil pressure when the engine is running.
A continuous high or low reading under
normal driving conditions may indicate a
lubrication system malfunction. Imme
-
diate service should be obtained from an
authorized dealer.
5. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen
3

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82GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
6. Temperature Gauge
The gauge pointer shows engine coolant
temperature. The pointer positioned
within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a
higher temperature 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. 7. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in
the fuel tank when 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.
WARNING!

A hot engine cooling system is dangerous.
You or others could be badly burned by steam
or boiling coolant. It is recommended to call an
authorized dealer for service if your vehicle
overheats. If you decide to look under the hood
yourself, Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph
Ú
page 383.

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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84GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
D
ESCRIPTIONS

1. Tachometer

Indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (RPM x 1000).
2. Instrument Cluster Display
When the appropriate conditions exist,
this display shows the instrument cluster
display messages Ú page 90.

Premium Instrument Cluster Display

The display always shows one of the main
menu item after ignition on. 3. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Temperature Gauge
The gauge pointer shows engine coolant
temperature. The pointer positioned
within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a
higher temperature 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. 5. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in
the fuel tank when 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.
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen
WARNING!

A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. It is recommended to call an authorized
dealer for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, Follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph
Ú
page 383.

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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86GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
DIESEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

1. Tachometer

Indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (RPM x 1000).
2. Engine Coolant Temperature
This gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature. The gauge pointer will likely
show higher temperatures when driving
in hot weather, up mountain grades, or in
heavy stop and go traffic. If the red
Warning Light turns on while driving,
safely bring the vehicle to a stop, and
turn off the engine. DO NOT operate the
vehicle until the cause is corrected. 3. Instrument Cluster Display
When the appropriate conditions exist,
this display shows the instrument cluster
display messages Ú
page 90.

Base Instrument Cluster Display

The display always shows one of the main
menu item after ignition on.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous.
You or others could be badly burned by steam
or boiling coolant. It is recommended to call
an authorized dealer for service if your
vehicle overheats.
CAUTION!

Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads greater “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

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL87
4. Oil Pressure Gauge
The pointer should always indicate some
oil pressure when the engine is running.
A continuous high or low reading under
normal driving conditions may indicate a
lubrication system malfunction. Imme-
diate service should be obtained from an
authorized dealer.
5. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed. 6. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Gauge

The DEF Gauge displays the actual level of
Diesel Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank. DEF
is required to maintain normal vehicle
operation and emissions compliance. If
something is wrong with the gauge, a DEF
Warning Message or Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) will be displayed. More informa
-
tion is available in the instrument cluster
display section under the heading of DEF
Warning Messages.

7. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the
fuel tank when the ignition switch is in
the ON/RUN position.
 The fuel pump symbol points
to the side of the vehicle where
the fuel filler door is located. NOTE:
The gauge may take up to five seconds to
update after adding a gallon or more of 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 an authorized dealer for
service.
The DEF gauge may also not immediately
update after a refill if the temperature of the
DEF fluid is below 39°F (4°C). The DEF tank
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.
3

21_DPF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 87

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL89
DIESEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

1. Tachometer

Indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (RPM x 1000).
2. Instrument Cluster Display
When the appropriate conditions exist,
this display shows the instrument cluster
display messages Ú page 90.

Premium Instrument Cluster Display

The display always shows one of the main
menu item after ignition on. 3. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Gauge
The DEF Gauge displays the actual level
of Diesel Exhaust Fluid in the DEF tank.
DEF is required to maintain normal
vehicle operation and emissions compli -
ance. If something is wrong with the
gauge, a DEF Warning Message or
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will be
displayed. More information is available
in the instrument cluster display section
under the heading of Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages.
5. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the
fuel tank when the ignition switch is in
the ON/RUN position.
 The fuel pump symbol points
to the side of the vehicle where
the fuel filler door is located. NOTE:
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 200 miles (321 kilome
-
ters) in some cases.
The gauge may take up to five seconds to
update after adding a gallon or more of 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 an authorized dealer for
service.
The DEF gauge may also not immediately
update after a refill if the temperature of the
DEF fluid is below 39°F (4°C). The DEF tank
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.
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen
3

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102GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to
additional maintenance required on your
vehicle or engine. The following messages may
display in your instrument cluster display:

Perform Service — Your vehicle will require
emissions maintenance at a set interval.
To help remind you when this maintenance
is due, the instrument cluster display will
display “Perform Service”. When the “Perform
Service” message is displayed in the instru -
ment cluster display it is necessary to have the
emissions maintenance performed. Emissions
maintenance may include replacing the
Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) filter
element. The procedure for clearing and reset -
ting the "Perform Service" indicator message is
located in the appropriate Service Information.
Exhaust System — Regeneration Required
Now — "Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at
Highway Speeds to Remedy" will be displayed
in the instrument cluster display if the exhaust
particulate filter reaches 80% of its maximum
storage capacity. Under conditions of exclu -
sive short duration and low speed driving
cycles, your Cummins diesel engine and
exhaust after-treatment system may never
reach the conditions required to remove the
trapped PM. If this occurs, the “Exhaust Filter
XX% Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds to
Remedy” message will be displayed in the
instrument cluster display. If this message is
displayed, you will hear one chime to assist in
alerting you of this condition

By simply driving your vehicle at highway
speeds for as little as 45 minutes, you can
remedy the condition in the particulate filter
system and allow your Cummins diesel
engine and exhaust after-treatment system
to remove the trapped PM and restore the
system to normal operating condition.Exhaust System — Regeneration In Process
Exhaust Filter XX% Full — Indicates that the
DPF is self-cleaning. Maintain your current
driving condition until regeneration is
completed.

Exhaust System — Regeneration Completed —
This message indicates that the DPF
self-cleaning is completed. If this message is
displayed, you will hear one chime to assist in
alerting you of this condition.
Exhaust Service Required — See Dealer
Now — This message indicates regeneration
has been disabled due to a system malfunc -
tion. At this point the engine Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) will register a fault code,
the instrument panel will display a MIL light.

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you
park over materials that can burn. Such
materials might be grass or leaves coming
into contact with your exhaust system. Do not
park or operate your vehicle in areas where
your exhaust system can contact anything
that can burn.
CAUTION!
See an authorized dealer, as damage to
the exhaust system could occur soon with
continued operation.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL103
Exhaust Filter Full — Power Reduced See
Dealer — This message indicates the PCM
has derated the engine to limit the likelihood
of permanent damage to the after-treatment
system. If this condition is not corrected and
a dealer service is not performed, extensive
exhaust after-treatment damage can occur.
To correct this condition it will be necessary
to have your vehicle serviced by an autho-
rized dealer.
NOTE:
Failing to follow the oil change indicator,
changing your oil and resetting the oil change
indicator by 0 miles remaining will prevent
the diesel exhaust filter from performing it's
cleaning routine. This will shortly result in a
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) and reduced
engine power. Only an authorized dealer will be
able to correct this condition.Cold Ambient Derate Mode Messages
The vehicle will display messages when a
derate (engine power reduction) is activated
to protect the engine during start up in cold
ambient temperatures.
Engine Power Reduced During Warm up —
This message will display during start up
when the ambient temperature is between
10°F (-12°C) and -10°F (-23°C).
Engine Power Reduced Up To 30 Sec
(Seconds) During Warm up — This message
will display during start up when the ambient
temperature is between -10°F (-23°C) and
-25°F (-32°C).
Engine Power Reduced Up To 2 Min
(Minutes) During Warm up — This message
will display during start up when the ambient
temperature is -25°F (-32°C) and below.
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine
warm up protection feature that may limit
engine performance after cold starting at low
ambient temperatures. The length of time
engine speed is limited is dependent upon
engine coolant temperature. Engine speed
may be briefly limited to 1,000 RPM after
starting with coolant temperature below freezing conditions, and may be limited to
1,000 RPM for up to approximately two
minutes under more severe cold conditions.
Coolant Low
— This telltale will turn on to indi -
cate the vehicle coolant level is low. Refer to
“Dealer Service” in “Servicing And Mainte -
nance” for more information.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning
Messages
There are four different messages which are
displayed if the vehicle detects that the DEF
system has been filled with a fluid other than
DEF, has experienced component failures, or
when tampering has been detected. The vehicle
may be limited to a maximum speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) if the DEF system is not serviced
within less than 200 miles (322 km) of the fault
being detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the
following warnings will display:

DEF Low Refill Soon — This message will
display when the low level is reached, during
vehicle start up, and with increased frequency
during vehicle operation. It will be accompa -
nied by a single chime. Approximately
5 gallons (19 Liters) of DEF is required to

CAUTION!
See an authorized dealer, as damage to
the exhaust system could occur soon with
continued operation.
3

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104GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

refill the tank when this message is initially
displayed on pickup applications, and approxi-
mately 7 gallons (26 Liters) are required on
chassis-cab applications.
Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF —
This message will continuously display if the
“DEF Low Refill Soon” message is ignored, and
the frequency of occurrence of the chime will
increase unless up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of
DEF is added to the tank.
5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or
Refuel Refill DEF — This message will continu -
ously display when the counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.

The vehicle will only be capable of a
maximum speed of 5 mph upon the first of
the following conditions to occur:
If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.

If the vehicle is idled for an extended period
of time, approximately one hour or greater.

If the system detects that the level of fuel
in the tank has increased.

Add a minimum of 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF
to the tank in order to avoid vehicle operation
at a maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
NOTE:
A minimum of 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) may be
required to restore normal vehicle operation.
Although the vehicle will start normally and can
be placed in gear after this message has been
initially displayed, extreme caution should be
utilized since the vehicle will only be capable of
maneuvering at a maximum speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h).
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages
There are five different messages which are
displayed if the vehicle detects that the DEF
system has been filled with a fluid other than
DEF, has experienced component failures, or
when tampering has been detected. The vehicle
may be limited to a maximum speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) if the DEF system is not serviced
within less than 200 miles (322 km) of the fault
being detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the
following warnings will display:
Service DEF System See Dealer
— This
message will display when the fault is initially
detected, each time the vehicle is started,
and periodically during driving. The message will be accompanied by a single chime. We
recommend you drive to the nearest autho
-
rized dealer and have your vehicle serviced
as soon as possible.

5 MPH Max Speed in 150 mi Service DEF
System See Dealer — This message will display
if the DEF system has not been serviced after
the “Service DEF System – See Dealer”
message is displayed. This message will
continuously display until the mileage counter
reaches zero, and will be accompanied by a
periodic chime. The message will continue to
countdown until it reaches zero unless the
vehicle is serviced. We recommend you drive
to your nearest authorized dealer and have
your vehicle serviced immediately.

NOTE:
Under some circumstances this mileage
counter may start with a value of less than
150 miles (241 km). For example, if recurring faults are detected in a time interval of less
than 40 hours, the counter may restart at the
value where it stopped when a previous fault
was temporarily remedied, or at a minimum of
50 miles (80 km).

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL105
5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle
or Refuel Service DEF See Dealer — This
message will continuously display when the
mileage counter reaches zero, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime.
The vehicle will only be capable of a
maximum speed of 5 mph upon the first of
the following conditions to occur:
If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
If the vehicle is idled for an extended
period of time, approximately one hour
or greater.
If the system detects that the level of fuel
in the tank has increased.
5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will continuously
display, and will be accompanied by a peri -
odic chime. Although the vehicle can be
started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 mph.
Your vehicle will require towing, see an
authorized dealer for service.
NOTE:
When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only
operate at a maximum speed of 5 mph.
Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer — This
message will display when the fault is initially
detected, each time the vehicle is started,
and periodically during driving. The message
will be accompanied by a single chime.
We recommend you drive to the nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
RAM Active Air System

Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced
Ram Active Air system that provides enhanced
performance, especially when towing under
demanding hot or high altitude conditions. If the
instrument cluster display displays the message
“Active Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle
performance may be reduced until service is
performed by an authorized RAM dealer.

BATTERY SAVER ON/BATTERY SAVER
M
ODE MESSAGE — ELECTRICAL LOAD
R
EDUCTION ACTIONS — IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent
Battery Sensor (IBS) to perform additional
monitoring of the electrical system and status
of the vehicle battery. In cases when the IBS detects charging system
failure, or the vehicle battery conditions are
deteriorating, electrical load reduction actions
will take place to extend the driving time and
distance of the vehicle. This is done by reducing
power to or turning off non-essential electrical
loads.
Load reduction is only active when the engine is
running. It will display a message if there is a
risk of battery depletion to the point where the
vehicle may stall due to lack of electrical supply,
or will not restart after the current drive cycle.
When load reduction is activated, the message
“Battery Saver On Some Systems May Have
Reduced Power” will appear in the instrument
cluster.
These messages indicate the vehicle battery
has a low state of charge and continues to lose
electrical charge at a rate that the charging
system cannot sustain.
3

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