check engine Ram ProMaster 2015 Owner's Guide

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at anytime the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had
time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty, the
system should be drained, flushed, and refilled with
fresh OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106) only by an
authorized dealer. Check the front of the A/C condenser
for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by
gently spraying water from a garden hose vertically
down the face of the condenser.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
NOTE:
Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly could lead
to severe internal engine damage. If any coolant is
needed to be added to the system please contact your
local authorized dealer.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains
visible sediment, have an authorized dealer clean and
flush with OAT coolant (antifreeze) (conforming to
MS.90032).
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 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.
Coolant Level
The coolant expansion bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With engine off and cold, the level of the engine
coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the
“MIN” and “MAX” marks.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
• Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
350 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!(Continued)
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid
leaks. Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
transmission filler tube is capped and no dipstick is
provided. Your authorized dealer can check your trans-
mission fluid level using a special service dipstick. If you
notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction, visit
your authorized dealer immediately to have the trans-
mission fluid level checked. Operating the vehicle with
an improper fluid level can cause severe transmission
damage.
354 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate in the instrument clus-
ter. This means that service is required for your vehicle.
Operating conditions such as frequent short-trips, trailer
tow, and extremely hot or cold ambient temperatures will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone otherthan your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
388 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
Maintenance Chart
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 389

Carbon Monoxide Warning...................64
Cargo Light ..............................96
Car Washes ............................ .356
Cellular Phone .......................... .182
Certification Label ........................ .269
Chains, Tire ............................ .254
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .232
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) ............128, 331
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............63
Checks, Safety ............................63
Child Restraint ............................52
Child Restraints Booster Seats ...........................57
Child Restraints .........................52
Infants And Child Restraints ................55
Older Children And Child Restraints ..........55
Cigar Lighter ............................118
Clean Air Gasoline ........................262 Climate Control
..........................183
Manual ............................. .183
Cold Weather Operation ....................201
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............182
Compact Spare Tire ........................249
Console, Overhead ........................114
Contract, Service ..........................399
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........349
Cooling System .......................... .346
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............348
Coolant Capacity .......................382
Coolant Level ..................... .346, 350
Disposal Of Used Coolant .................350
Drain, Flush, And Refill ...................346
Inspection ............................350
Points To Remember .....................350
Pressure Cap ..........................349
Radiator Cap ..........................349
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......347, 382, 383
408 INDEX

Jump Starting..........................317
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........331
Engine Air Cleaner .......................... .337
Block Heater ..........................202
Break-In Recommendations .................63
Checking Oil Level ..................... .334
Compartment ..........................329
Compartment Identification ................329
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................346, 383
Cooling ............................. .346
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................64
Fails To Start ..........................201
Flooded, Starting .......................201
Fuel Requirements ...................262, 382
Jump Starting ..........................317
Oil ...........................334, 382, 383
Oil Filter ............................ .337
Oil Selection .......................335, 382 Oil Synthetic
..........................336
Overheating .......................... .287
Starting ............................. .200
Engine Oil Viscosity .......................336
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................336
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............48
Entry System, Illuminated ....................16
Ethanol ............................... .263
Event Data Recorder ........................51
Exhaust Gas Caution ........................64
Exhaust System ........................64, 338
Exterior Lighting ..........................92
Exterior Lights ............................67
Fabric Care ............................. .358
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .337
Air Conditioning .......................342
Engine Oil ........................ .337, 383
410 INDEX

Engine Oil Disposal.....................337
Flashers Hazard Warning ........................287
Turn Signal ........................ .67, 128
Flooded Engine Starting ....................201
Fluid Capacities ..........................382
Fluid Leaks ..............................68
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................354
Brake ............................... .352
Cooling System ........................ .346
Power Steering ........................ .218
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........383
Fog Lights ............................93, 128
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................287
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................323
Fuel .................................. .262
Adding ............................. .266
Additives ............................ .264Clean Air
............................ .262
Ethanol ............................. .263
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................266
Gasoline ............................. .262
Gauge ...............................128
Light ............................... .128
Materials Added ........................264
Methanol ............................ .263
Octane Rating ..................... .262, 383
Requirements .......................262, 382
Tank Capacity ..........................382
Fueling ............................... .266
Fuses ................................. .362
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .............266, 268, 330
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................262
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .262
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................262
10
INDEX 411

Ignition Key Removal.......................11
Illuminated Entry ..........................16
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ....................13
Inside Rearview Mirror ......................72
Instrument Cluster .....................127, 128
Instrument Panel And Controls ...............126
Instrument Panel Cover .....................358
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ...............360
Interior Appearance Care ....................358
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) .............98
Introduction ..............................4
Jump Starting ............................317
Key-In Reminder ..........................13
Key, Replacement ..........................14
Keys ...................................11
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ....................13 Lane Change Assist
........................94
Lap/Shoulder Belts .........................27
Latches .................................68
Lead Free Gasoline ........................262
Leaks, Fluid ..............................68
Life Of Tires ............................ .252
Light Bulbs .......................... .67, 376
Lights ............................... .67, 91
AirBag .........................48, 65, 128
Anti-Lock ............................ .128
Brake Assist Warning ....................226
Brake Warning ........................ .128
Bulb Replacement .......................378
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) .........128
Cruise ...............................128
Daytime Running ........................92
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...............91, 94
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator .....226
Engine Temperature Warning ...............128
10
INDEX 413

Exterior...............................67
Fog ................................ .128
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................287
Headlights .............................92
High Beam ........................ .94, 128
High Beam Indicator .....................128
Illuminated Entry ........................16
Instrument Cluster ..................... .128
Low Fuel ............................ .128
Map Reading ........................95, 114
Oil Pressure .......................... .128
Park .................................94
Passing ...............................94
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .128
Service ...............................378
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............128
Traction Control ........................226
Turn Signal ..........................67, 91
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......128Loading Vehicle
.......................269, 271
Capacities ............................271
Tires ............................... .237
Locks Automatic Door .........................22
Door .................................20
Lubrication, Body ........................ .344
Lug Nuts ...............................288
Maintenance Free Battery ....................340
Maintenance, General ..................... .128
Maintenance Procedures ....................333
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .388
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......331
Manual, Service ..........................401
Map/Reading Lights ....................95, 114
Methanol ...............................263
Mirrors .................................72
Electric Remote .........................73
414 INDEX