oil change RAM CHASSIS CAB 2021 Owners Manual

3
EXTERIOR LIGHTS.................................................50 Headlight Switch .......................................... 50
Multifunction Lever ...................................... 51
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) ................. 51
High/Low Beam Switch ............................... 51
Automatic High Beam Headlamp
Control — If Equipped .................................. 52 Flash-To-Pass ............................................... 52
Automatic Headlights — If Equipped ......... 52
Directional LED Headlamp
System — If Equipped .................................. 52 Parking Lights And Panel Lights ................. 53
Automatic Headlights With Wipers ............. 53
Headlight Delay ............................................ 53
Lights-On Reminder ..................................... 53
Front Fog Lights — If Equipped .................. 53
Turn Signals ................................................. 54
Lane Change Assist — If Equipped ............. 54
Cargo Lights/Trailer Spotter Lights — If
Equipped ...................................................... 54 Battery Saver................................................ 54
INTERIOR LIGHTS ................................................55
Courtesy Lights ............................................ 55
Illuminated Entry ......................................... 56
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS .............56
Windshield Wiper Operation ...................... 57
Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped ........... 58 CLIMATE CONTROLS ........................................... 58
Automatic Climate Control Descriptions
And Functions .............................................. 59 Manual Climate Control Descriptions And
Functions...................................................... 62 Automatic Temperature
Control (ATC) ................................................ 64 Climate Voice Recognition .......................... 65
Operating Tips ............................................. 65
INTERIOR STORAGE AND EQUIPMENT ............. 66
Storage ......................................................... 66
USB/AUX Control ........................................ 72
Electrical Power Outlets .............................. 73
Power Inverter — If Equipped ..................... 74
Wireless Charging Pad — If Equipped ........ 76
WINDOWS ............................................................ 76
Power Windows — If Equipped .................... 76
Automatic Window Features —
If Equipped ................................................... 77 Reset Auto-Up ............................................. 77
Window Lockout Switch — If Equipped....... 78
Power Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped .................................................. 78 Manual Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped ................................................... 78 Wind Buffeting ............................................ 78
HOOD ..................................................................... 79
To Open The Hood ...................................... 79
To Close The Hood ....................................... 79
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
GASOLINE ..............................................................80
Base / Midline Instrument Cluster
Descriptions ................................................. 81
PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
GASOLINE ..............................................................83
Premium Instrument Cluster
Descriptions ................................................. 84
BASE / MIDLINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER —
DIESEL....................................................................85
Diesel Instrument Cluster .......................... 86

PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER — DIESEL ..... 88

Diesel Instrument Cluster .......................... 89
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY .......................90
Instrument Cluster Display Controls .......... 90
Oil Life Reset ............................................... 91
Display Menu Items ..................................... 92
Diesel Messages And Warnings ............... 101 Battery Saver On/Battery Saver Mode
Message — Electrical Load Reduction
Actions — If Equipped ............................... 105
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES ............... 107
Red Warning Lights ................................... 107
Yellow Warning Lights ............................... 110Yellow Indicator Lights .............................. 113
Green Indicator Lights ............................... 115White Indicator Lights ............................... 115Blue Indicator Lights ................................. 116

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6
SAFETY
SAFETY FEATURES ............................................ 273
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................. 273
Electronic Brake Control (EBC) System ...274
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS ........................ 281
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) With
Mitigation — If Equipped............................281 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) ..........................................284
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .................. 292
Occupant Restraint Systems Features ....292
Important Safety Precautions ...................293Seat Belt Systems ..................................... 293Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) ...302Child Restraints..........................................312
SAFETY TIPS ...................................................... 330
Transporting Passengers ..........................330
Transporting Pets ......................................330
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
The Vehicle ................................................330 Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ...................................332 Exhaust Gas ...............................................333Carbon Monoxide Warnings ......................333
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS .......................334
ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED..... 335
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ........................339
4500/5500 Models .................................. 339Preparations For Jacking........................... 339
Jacking Instructions 4500 And
5500 Series ............................................... 340 To Stow The Flat Or Spare —
If Equipped ................................................ 343 Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If Equipped ... 343
JUMP STARTING ................................................ 344
Preparations For Jump Start ..................... 344Jump Starting Procedure .......................... 345
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .........................346
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE — 6–SPEED
TRANSMISSION ................................................. 347
MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 – SPEED
TRANSMISSION ................................................. 348
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............................349
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ........................350 Two-Wheel Drive Models ........................... 351
Four-Wheel Drive Models .......................... 351Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 352
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE
SYSTEM (EARS) ................................................. 352
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) .......................352
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING — GASOLINE
ENGINE ................................................................ 353
Maintenance Plan ..................................... 354
SCHEDULED SERVICING — DIESEL ENGINE .. 357
Oil Change Indicator System — Cummins
Diesel.......................................................... 357 Perform Service Indicator — Cummins
Diesel ......................................................... 358 Maintenance Plan — Cummins Diesel
Engine ....................................................... 359
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................................. 364
6.4L Engine ............................................... 364
6.7L Engine ................................................ 365
Checking Oil Level ..................................... 366
Adding Washer Fluid ................................. 366Maintenance-Free Battery ....................... 366Pressure Washing...................................... 367
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE .................................. 367
Engine Oil .................................................. 368
Engine Oil Filter.......................................... 369
Engine Air Cleaner Filter ........................... 369
Air Conditioner Maintenance ................... 371
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............... 374Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter....... 375Engine Mounted Fuel Filter
Replacement.............................................. 376

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL91
Trailer Tow
Audio
Messages
Screen Set Up
Vehicle Settings — If Equipped
Commercial Settings — If Equipped
The system allows the driver to select
information by pushing the following instrument
cluster display control buttons located on the
left side of the steering wheel:

Instrument Cluster Display Control Buttons

Up Arrow Button
Push and release the up arrow button to
scroll upward through the main menu items,
submenu screen, and vehicle settings.
Down Arrow Button
Push and release the down arrow button
to scroll downward through the main menu
items, submenu screen, and vehicle settings.
Right Arrow Button
Push and release the right arrow button to
access/select the information screens or
submenu screens of a main menu item.
Push and hold the right arrow button for
two seconds to reset displayed/selected
features that can be reset.
Left Arrow Button
Push and release the left arrow button
to access/select the information screens,
submenu screens of a main menu item, or to
return to the main menu.
OIL LIFE RESET

Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
change indicator system. The “Oil Change
Required” message will display in the instrument
cluster display after a single chime has sounded,
to indicate the next scheduled oil change
interval. The engine oil change indicator system
is duty cycle based, which means the engine oil
change interval may fluctuate, dependent upon
your personal driving style.

NOTE:
Use the steering wheel instrument cluster
display controls for the following procedure.
Oil Life Reset Procedure

1. Without pushing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE START/STOP button and place the
ignition to the ON/RUN position (do not
start the engine).

2. Push and release the down arrow button
to scroll downward through the main menu
to “Vehicle Info.”
3. Push and release the right arrow button
to access the ”Vehicle Info” screen, then
scroll up or down to select “Oil Life.”
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92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
4. Push and hold the right arrow button to
select “Reset”.
5. Push and release the down arrow button
to select “Yes,” then push and release the
right arrow button to reset the Oil Life to
100%.
6. Push and release the up arrow button to
exit the instrument cluster display screen.
Secondary Method Of Resetting Engine Oil Life

1. Without pressing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE START/STOP button and place the
ignition to the ON/RUN position (do not
start the engine).

2. Fully press the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times within ten seconds.
3. Without pushing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to return
the ignition to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:
If the indicator message illuminates when
you start the vehicle, the oil change indicator
system did not reset. If necessary, repeat this
procedure.DISPLAY MENU ITEMS
Push and release the up or down arrow
button until the desired selectable menu icon is
highlighted in the instrument cluster display.
Speedometer
Push and release the up or down arrow
button until the speedometer menu item is
highlighted in the instrument cluster display.
Push and release the right arrow button to
cycle the display between mph and km/h.
Vehicle Info
Push and release the up or down arrow
button until the Vehicle Info menu item is
highlighted in the instrument cluster display.
Push and release the right arrow button to
enter the submenus items of Vehicle Info.
Follow the directional prompts to access or
reset any of the following Vehicle Info submenu
items:
Tire Pressure
Coolant Temperature
Transmission Temperature — If Equipped
Oil Temperature
Oil Pressure
Exhaust Brake — If Equipped
Boost Pressure — If Equipped
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) — If Equipped
Oil Life
Fuel Filter Life — If Equipped
Battery Voltage
Gauge Summary
Engine Hours
Off-Road
Push and release the up or down arrow
button until the Off-Road menu icon is displayed
in the instrument cluster display. Push and
release the left or right arrow button to
scroll through the information submenus.
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Angle: displays the graphical
and numerical value of calculated
average front wheel angle from the
steering wheel orientation.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL95
Stored Messages
Push and release the up or down arrow
button until the Messages Menu item is
highlighted. This feature shows the number of
stored warning messages. Push and release the
right or left arrow button to cycle through
stored messages.
Screen Setup Menu Item
Push and release the up or down arrow
button until the Screen Setup menu item is
highlighted in the instrument cluster display.
Push and release the right arrow button to
enter the Screen Setup submenu. The Screen
Setup feature allows you to change what
information is displayed in the instrument
cluster as well as the location that information
is displayed.
Current Gear — If Equipped
Off
On
Odometer
Unit Without Decimal
Unit With Decimal Favorite Menu
Speedometer
Vehicle Info
Driver Assist (Show/Hide) — If Equipped
Fuel Economy (Show/Hide)
Trip Info (Show/Hide)
Trailer Tow (Show/Hide)
Audio (Show/Hide)
Messages
Screen Setup
Vehicle Settings — If Equipped
Commercial Settings — If Equipped
NOTE:
Menus with (Show/Hide) can push the right
arrow button to choose whether to show or hide
this menu in the instrument cluster display. Upper Left — If Equipped
None
Compass — If Equipped
Outside Temp — If Equipped
Time
Range To Empty
Average Econ
Current Econ
Trip A Distance
Trip B Distance
Trailer Trip — If Equipped
Trailer Brake — If Equipped
Oil Pressure — If Equipped
Coolant Temperature — If Equipped
Oil Temperature — If Equipped
Battery Voltage — If Equipped
Transmission Temperature — If Equipped
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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.
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124STARTING AND OPERATING
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)

The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar
to an ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF,
ACC, RUN. To change the ignition switch positions
without starting the vehicle and use the
accessories follow these steps:

1. Start with the ignition in the OFF position.

2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once
to change the ignition to the ACC position.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition to the
RUN position.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF
position.Keyless Enter-N-Go Starting Procedure —
Engine Manifold Air Temperature
0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C)
NOTE:
The temperature displayed in the instrument
cluster does not necessarily reflect the engine
manifold air temperature Ú page 90. When
engine temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C)
the “Wait To Start” telltale will remain on indi -
cating the intake air heater system is active.
Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting”
procedure except:

1. Pushing the engine start button with the driver’s foot on the brake will move the
ignition from OFF or ACC to RUN, and
will illuminate the "Wait to Start" telltale.
The engine will not immediately crank, this
is normal operation.

2. The “Wait to Start" telltale will remain on for a period of time that varies depending on
the engine temperature.
3. While the "Wait to Start" telltale is on, the instrument cluster will additionally display a
gauge or bar whose initial length represents the full "Wait to Start" time period. Its length
will decrease until it disappears when the
"Wait to Start" time has elapsed.
4. After the engine “Wait to Start” telltale goes off, the engine will automatically crank.
5. After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil pressure.
6. Release the parking brake and drive.CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains
on, DO NOT START the engine before you
drain the water from the fuel filters to avoid
engine damage Ú page 375.
CAUTION!

Do not crank engine for more than 25 seconds
at a time or starter motor damage may result.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and
wait at least two minutes for the starter to cool
before repeating start procedure.

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STARTING AND OPERATING131
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.
NOTE:
If ambient temperatures are low and the
coolant temperature is below 180°F (82°C),
the engine idle speed will slowly increase to
1,000 RPM after two minutes of idle, if the
following conditions are met:
Foot is off brake pedal and throttle pedal.
Automatic transmission is in PARK.
Vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
Applying the throttle will cancel fast idle.
Operating the exhaust brake at idle will
greatly improve warm-up rate and will help
keep the engine close to operating tempera -
ture during extended idle.
ENGINE IDLING
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling
may be harmful to your engine because
combustion chamber temperatures can drop
so low that the fuel may not burn completely.
Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings, engine valves,
and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel
can enter the crankcase, diluting the oil and
causing rapid wear to the engine.

If the engine is allowed to idle or the truck is
driven on low engine speed drive cycles for more
than two hours, the system will automatically
enter an emissions operating mode that will
increase the engine idle speed to 900 RPM
(1,050 RPM for Chassis Cab). While in this mode,
which is designed to help maintain the Diesel
Particulate Filter, the engine idle speed will return
to normal when the brake pedal is applied.
A small change in engine tone or a slight change
in engine performance while accelerating may
also be noticeable at speeds below 20 mph
(32 km/h). This operating mode may last for up
to an hour of idle time, or around 20 minutes of
driving time. Your truck may have been ordered with an
optional voltage monitoring idle up feature. If a
load is placed on the electrical system while the
truck is in PARK, this feature will attempt to
maintain normal system voltage by automatically
increasing engine idle speed. You may notice
several consecutive increases in idle speed, up to
a maximum of 1,450 RPM, as the system will
attempt to utilize the smallest increase in idle
speed necessary to maintain normal system
voltage. The idle speed will return to normal when
either the electrical load is removed, or when the
brake pedal is applied.

NOTE:
For instrument cluster display messages
related to the vehicle's exhaust system
Ú
page 90.
4

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STARTING AND OPERATING135
Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil Pressure
When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the minimum oil pressures required are:
Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed
Parts

All engine failures give some warning before the
parts fail. Be on the alert for changes in
performance, sounds, and visual evidence that the
engine requires service. Some important clues are:

Engine misfiring or vibrating severely.
Sudden loss of power.
Unusual engine noises.
Fuel, oil or coolant leaks.

Sudden change, outside the normal operating
range, in the engine operating temperature.

Excessive smoke.
Oil pressure drop.
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
M
ANUAL REGENERATION - IF EQUIPPED
On equipped Chassis Cabs, a manual
regeneration can be enable through the
instrument cluster. The manual regeneration
will allow the DPF to complete a regeneration,
lowering the soot level without having to drive
the vehicle. The vehicle must be in PARK to
access this feature, and the fuel level must be
over 12.5% full. A message displaying the time
left on the regeneration will appear on the
instrument cluster, and the instrument cluster
will display the soot level Ú page 90.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect
the cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC
electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire
extension cord.
Gas Engine Only
The engine block heater cord is routed through
the grille by the right front tow hook.
It includes a removable cap that is secured by a
tethered strap. It also has a c-clip that is used
for storage when not in use for the Winter
months. During Winter months, remove the
heater cord wiring assembly from itself on the
c-clip.
Idle 700 to 800 RPM
10 psi (69 kPa)
Full speed and load 30 psi (207 kPa)
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal
readings, shut the engine off immediately.
Failure to do so could result in immediate and
severe engine damage.4

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136STARTING AND OPERATING
The engine block heater must be plugged in at
least one hour to have an adequate warming
effect on the engine.
Diesel Engine Only
The engine block heater warms engine coolant
and permits quicker starts in cold weather.
Connect the heater cord to a ground-fault
interrupter protected 110–115 Volt AC
electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire
extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under
the hood to the right side and can be located
just behind the grille near the headlamp.
NOTE:
The engine block heater cord is a factory
installed option. If your vehicle is not equipped,
heater cords are available from an authorized
Mopar dealer. The block heater must be plugged in at least
one hour to have an adequate warming effect
on the coolant.
NOTE:
The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
Block Heater Usage
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C),
engine block heater usage is recommended.
For ambient temperatures below –20°F
(-29°C), engine block heater usage is required.ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GASOLINE ENGINE
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 detrimental 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
Ú
page 440.WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block
heater cord before driving. Damage to the
110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block
heater cord before driving. Damage to the
110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.

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