2021 RAM 1500 Owners Manual - REFUELING THE VEHICLE — DIESEL ENGINE

REFUELING THE VEHICLE — DIESEL ENGINE

The capless fuel filler is located on the left side of the vehicle.

The capless system is sealed by two flapper doors.

Put the vehicle in PARK and switch the ignition off.

Open the fuel filler door.

1 — Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fill Location 2 — Diesel Fuel Fill Location

Insert the fuel nozzle fully into the filler pipe

– the nozzle opens and holds the flapper door while refueling.

Fill the vehicle with fuel – when the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.

Remove the fuel nozzle and close the fuel door.

AVOID USING CONTAMINATED FUEL

Fuel that is contaminated by water or dirt can cause severe damage to the engine fuel system. Proper maintenance of the engine fuel filter and fuel tank is essential page 409.

BULK FUEL STORAGE — DIESEL FUEL

If you store quantities of fuel, good maintenance of the stored fuel is also essential. Fuel contaminated with water will promote the growth of “microbes.” These microbes form “slime” that will clog the fuel filtration system and lines. Drain condensation from the supply tank and change the line filter on a regular basis.

When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of fuel, air is pulled into the fuel system.

If the vehicle will not start page 414.

DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID

Your vehicle is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to meet diesel emissions standards required by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emitted from engines that are harmful to our health and the environment to a near-zero level. A small quantity of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is injected into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst where, when vaporized, converts smog-forming NOx into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water vapor (H2O), two natural components of the air we breathe.

DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID STORAGE

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is considered a very stable product with a long shelf life. If DEF is kept in temperatures between 10° and 90°F

(-12° and 32°C), it will last a minimum of one year.

DEF may freeze at temperatures at or below 12°F (-11°C). The system has been designed to operate in this environment.

When working with DEF, it is important to know that:

Any containers or parts that come into contact with DEF must be DEF compatible (plastic or stainless steel). Copper, brass, aluminum, iron or non-stainless steel should be avoided as they are subject to corrosion by DEF.

If DEF is spilled, it should be wiped up completely.

ADDING DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID

The Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) gauge (located on the instrument cluster) will display the level of DEF remaining in the tank page 109.

Driving conditions (altitude, vehicle speed, load, etc.) will effect the amount of DEF that is used in your vehicle.

Outside temperature can affect DEF consumption. In cold conditions, 12°F

(-11°C) and below, the DEF gauge may take longer to operate as intended. This is a normal function of the system.

There is an electric heater inside the DEF tank that automatically works when neces- sary. And if the DEF supply does freeze, the truck will operate normally until it thaws.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fill Procedure

For the correct fluid type page 475.

Remove cap from Diesel Exhaust Fluid

(DEF) tank which is located next to the

diesel fuel filler.

— Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fill Location 2 — Diesel Fuel Fill Location

Insert DEF fill adapter/nozzle into DEF tank filler neck.

The DEF 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 12°F (-11°C). The DEF line 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.

You can fill up at any DEF distributor. Proceed as follows:

Insert the DEF nozzle in the filler, start refilling and stop refilling at the first shut-off (the shut-off indicates that the DEF tank is full). Do not proceed with the refilling, to prevent spillage of DEF.

Extract the nozzle.

Refilling With Containers Proceed as follows:

Check the expiration date.

Read the advice for use on the label before pouring the content of the bottle into the DEF tank.

If systems which cannot be screwed in (e.g. tanks) are used for refilling, after the indication appears on the instrument panel display page 114 fill the DEF tank with no more than 2 Gallons (8 liters).

If containers which can be screwed to the filler are used, the reservoir is full when the DEF level in the container stops pouring out. Do not proceed further.

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Stop filling the DEF tank immediately when any of the following happen: DEF stops flowing from the fill bottle into the DEF tank, DEF splashes out the filler neck, or a DEF pump nozzle automatically shuts off.

Reinstall cap onto DEF tank.

Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic DEF heating system. This allows the DEF injection system to operate properly at temperatures

below 12°F (-11°C). If your vehicle is not in operation for an extended period of time with temperatures below 12°F (-11°C), the DEF in the tank may freeze. Do not overfill the DEF tank. If the tank is overfilled and freezes, it could be damaged.

Extra care should be taken when filling with portable containers to avoid overfilling. Keep an eye on the DEF gauge in your instrument cluster. You may safely add a maximum of

gallons (7.6 Liters) when your DEF gauge is reading at the half mark.