engine overheat Ram ProMaster City 2017 User Guide

If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep into
the passenger compartment. In addition, have the exhaust
system inspected each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can even-
tually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, refer to
“Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things To Know Before
Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.
• 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!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded
fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effective-
ness of the catalyst as an emissions control device
and may seriously reduce engine performance and
cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems can result in civil penalties being assessed against
you.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 287

In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough idle
or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where appli-
cable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty, the system
should be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT
coolant (conforming to MS.90032) by an authorized dealer.
Check the front of the A/C condenser for any accumula-
tion of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying
water from a garden hose vertically down the face of the
condenser.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
288 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.The image on the coolant system pres-
sure cap is a reminder that the radiator
contains hot engine coolant under pres-
sure.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never add
engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is over-
heated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool an
overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to build up
in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury,
do not remove the pressure cap while the system is
hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
damage may result.
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 animals 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 imme-
diately.
Coolant Level
The coolant expansion bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is adequate.
With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine
coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the
“MIN” and “MAX” marks.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 291

Emergency, In Case OfFreeing Vehicle When Stuck .................266
Jump Starting .......................... .263
Towing ............................... .268
Emission Control System Maintenance ............277
Engine ................................. .275
Air Cleaner ............................ .282
Block Heater ........................... .180
Break-In Recommendations ..................66
Checking Oil Level ...................... .279
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .314
Cooling .............................. .288
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................68, 229
Fails To Start ........................... .179
Flooded, Starting ........................ .179
Fuel Requirements ....................... .226
Jump Starting .......................... .263
Oil ........................... .279, 313, 314
Oil Filler Cap ....................... .275, 281
Oil Filter .............................. .282
Oil Selection ........................ .280, 313
Oil Synthetic ........................... .281
Overheating ........................... .244
Starting .............................. .178
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................ .281Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
....................281
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............271
Ethanol ................................. .226
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................68, 229
Exhaust System ........................ .68, 286
Exterior Lights .............................71
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .282
Air Conditioning ........................ .167
Engine Oil ......................... .282, 314
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .281
Flashers Hazar
d Warning ........................ .244
Turn Signal ......................... .71, 144
Flash-To-Pass ..............................88
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .179
Fluid, Brake ............................. .316
Fluid Capacities ........................... .313
Fluid Leaks ...............................71
Fluid Level Checks Brake ................................ .293
Engine Oil ............................ .279
Power Steering ......................... .191
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ............314
10
INDEX 333

Onboard Diagnostic System...................276
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................75
Overheating, Engine ....................... .244
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,327
Paint Care ............................... .296
Parking Brake ............................ .192
ParkSense System, Rear .......................98
Passing Light ..............................88
Personal Settings .......................... .147
Pets .....................................66
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ...........207
Power Mirrors ................................77
Steering .............................. .191
Windows ...............................21
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts .................34
Preparation For Jacking ..................... .254
Pretensioners Seat Belts ...............................35
Radial Ply Tires ........................... .212
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .............291Radio Frequency
General Information .....................14, 17
Radio Operation .......................... .160
Rear Camera ............................. .103
Rear ParkSense System .......................98
Recreational Towing ........................ .241
Reformulated Gasoline ...................... .226
Refrigerant .............................. .284
Reminder, Seat Belt ..........................27
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ...........159
Replacement Bulbs ........................ .307
Replacement Keys ...........................13
Replacement Parts ......................... .278
Replacement Tires ......................... .218
Reporting Safety Defects .....................327
Restraint, Head .............................82
Restraints, Child ............................48
Rotation, Tires ............................ .220
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ...................68
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ..................
71
Safety Defects, Reporting .....................327
Safety, Exhaust Gas ..........................68
Safety Information, Tire ..................... .200
Safety Tips ................................67
10
INDEX 337