trailer Ram ProMaster 2016 Diesel Supplement

Towing Requirements — Tires
•Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting And Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting And Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting And Operating” for the proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
•
Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
• An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
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STARTING AND OPERATING 95

WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in a
collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
96 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness. The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Trailer Electrical Connector Location
1 — Four-Pin Connector Location
2 — Seven-Pin Connector Location
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins
4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 97

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automated Manual Transmission
DRIVE (D) (automatic mode) can be used when towing.
If frequent shifting occur while in DRIVE, select TOW/
HAUL mode, or change to MANUAL (M) mode and
manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes 98 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE — DIESEL ENGINE
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 18,500 miles (29,773 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
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
• 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
126 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Filter............................ .107, 120
Requirements ....................... .76, 119
Specifications ...........................78
Tank Capacity ..........................119
Gear Ranges ..............................64
Gross Axle Weight Rating ....................89
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................88
Hitches Trailer Towing ..........................91
Information Center, Vehicle ...................48
Instrument Cluster ..................14, 22, 24, 44
Intervention Regeneration Strategy .............110
Lights AirBag ...............................19
Brake Warning ..........................26 Cruise
............................ .46, 47
Engine Temperature Warning ................22
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ..........37
Park .................................45
Seat Belt Reminder .......................18
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .............32
Turn Signal ............................44
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . .22, 44
Maintenance Procedures ....................103
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .126
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......37
New Vehicle Break-In Period ...................8
Oil, Engine ......................... .104, 120
Capacity ..............................119
Change Interval ....................... .105
Dipstick ............................. .104
138 INDEX

Disposal............................. .106
Filter ............................ .106, 120
Filter Disposal ........................ .106
Materials Added To ..................... .106
Pressure Warning Light ....................28
Recommendation ....................104, 119
Viscosity ......................... .105, 119
Oil Pressure Light ..........................28
Power Steering Fluid ...................... .123
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ........112,115
Schedule, Maintenance .....................126
Seat Belts Reminder ..............................18
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..............120
Signals, Turn .............................44
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ................11Starting
.................................53
Engine Block Heater ......................61
Starting Procedures .........................53
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) .............53
Ti re s Pressure Warning Light ....................32
Trailer Towing ..........................95
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................92
Towing .................................88
Guide ................................92
Weight ...............................92
Trailer Towing ............................88
Cooling System Tips ......................99
Hitches ...............................91
Minimum Requirements ...................93
Tips .................................98
Trailer And Tongue Weight .................92
Wiring ................................96
8
INDEX 139

Trailer Towing Guide.......................92
Trailer Weight ............................92
Transmission Fluid ............................... .123
Turn Signals ..............................44
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... .105
Water Separator, Diesel Fuel ..................107
140 INDEX