RAM Truck 2500 2018 Owner's manual

First Edition
Printed in the U.S.A.
©2017 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Ram is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.
18DS-CNG-AA
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS SUPPLEMENT
2018 ram truck 2500
STICK WITH THE SPECIALISTS®
RAM TRUCK 2500
2018
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INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING
EQUIPMENT
Special design considerations are incorporated into this
vehicle’s electronic system to provide immunity to radio
frequency signals. Mobile two-way radios and telephone
equipment must be installed properly by trained person-
nel. The following must be observed during installation.
The positive power connection should be made directly
to the battery and fused as close to the battery as possible.
The negative power connection should be made to body
sheet metal adjacent to the negative battery connection.
This connection should not be fused.
Antennas for two-way radios should be mounted on the
roof or the rear area of the vehicle. Care should be used
in mounting antennas with magnet bases. Magnets may
affect the accuracy or operation of the compass on
vehicles so equipped.
The antenna cable should be as short as practical and
routed away from the vehicle wiring when possible. Use
only fully shielded coaxial cable.
Carefully match the antenna and cable to the radio to
ensure a low Standing Wave Ratio (SWR).
Mobile radio equipment with output power greater than
normal may require special precautions.
All installations should be checked for possible interfer-
ence between the communications equipment and the
vehicle’s electronic systems.
VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA
With respect to any Vehicles Sold in Canada, the name
FCA US LLC shall be deemed to be deleted and the name
FCA Canada Inc. used in substitution therefore.
DRIVING AND ALCOHOL
Drunken driving is one of the most frequent causes of
accidents.
Your driving ability can be seriously impaired with blood
alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you are
drinking, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-
drinking driver, call a cab, a friend, or use public trans-
portation.
WARNING!
Driving after drinking can lead to an accident.
Your perceptions are less sharp, your reflexes are
slower, and your judgment is impaired when you
have been drinking. Never drink and then drive.
This manual illustrates and describes the operation of
features and equipment that are either standard or op-
tional on this vehicle. This manual may also include a
description of features and equipment that are no longer
available or were not ordered on this vehicle. Please
disregard any features and equipment described in this
manual that are not on this vehicle.
FCA US LLC reserves the right to make changes in design
and specifications, and/or make additions to or improve-
ments to its products without imposing any obligation
upon itself to install them on products previously manu-
factured.
Copyright © 2017 FCA US LLC
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1INTRODUCTION ...................................................................3
2GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ...........................................5
3SAFETY .........................................................................11
4STARTINGANDOPERATING .........................................................15
5SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE ......................................................21
6TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................25
7INDEX ..........................................................................27
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
䡵INTRODUCTION..........................4
1

INTRODUCTION
This booklet is a supplement to the Ram 1500/2500/3500
Owner’s Manual. It contains information relative to the
Compressed Natural Gas equipment installed on this ve-
hicle by the manufacturer. You are urged to read this
publication and the Owner’s Manual carefully.
Following the instructions and recommendations provided
herein will help assure safe and reliable operation of your
vehicle. After you have read the booklet it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with the
vehicle when sold.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine MOPAR® parts, and cares about your
satisfaction.
4 INTRODUCTION

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
䡵INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ...................6
▫Instrument Cluster Descriptions ..............7
䡵INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYS ............8
2

INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS
Instrument Cluster — Base
6 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Instrument Cluster Descriptions
1. CNG Gauge
Shows level of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) in the
tanks when ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
NOTE: Depending on operating/ambient temperature
conditions the CNG gauge may fluctuate.
Instrument Cluster — Premium
2
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 7

2. Engine Coolant Temperature
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher temperatures when
driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, or in heavy
stop and go traffic. If the red Warning Light turns on while
driving, safely bring the vehicle to a stop, and turn off the
engine. DO NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is
corrected.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer for
service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, refer to “Dealer Service” in
“Servicing And Maintenance”. Follow the warnings
under the “Cooling System Pressure Cap” paragraph.
WARNING!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could dam-
age your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H”, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealer for service.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYS
The main display area will normally display the main
menu or the screens of a selected feature of the main menu.
The main display area also displays “pop up” messages
that consist of approximately 60 possible warning or
information messages. These pop up messages fall into
several categories:
•Five Second Stored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of mes-
sage takes control of the main display area for five seconds
and then returns to the previous screen. Most of the
messages of this type are then stored (as long as the
condition that activated it remains active) and can be
reviewed from the “Messages” main menu item. As long as
there is a stored message, an “i” will be displayed in the
8 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

instrument cluster display’s compass/outside temp line.
Examples of this message type are “Right Front Turn Signal
Lamp Out” and “Low Tire Pressure.”
•Unstored Messages
This message type is displayed indefinitely or until the
condition that activated the message is cleared. Examples
of this message type are “Turn Signal On” (if a turn signal
is left on) and “Lights On” (if driver leaves the vehicle).
•Unstored Messages Until RUN
These messages deal primarily with the Remote Start
feature. This message type is displayed until the ignition is
in the RUN state. Examples of this message type are
“Remote Start Aborted - Door Ajar” and “Press Brake
Pedal and Push Button to Start.”
•Five Second Unstored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of mes-
sage takes control of the main display area for five seconds
and then returns to the previous screen. An example of this
message type is “Automatic High Beams On.”
Fuel In Use Display
The odometer line of the instrument cluster display will
display the type of fuel in use, this will change between
“CNG” and “Gas.”
Fuel In Use Display
2
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 9

SAFETY
CONTENTS
䡵GENERAL INFORMATION ..................12
䡵SAFETY WARNINGS ......................12
䡵MANUAL SHUT OFF VALVE ................13
3

GENERAL INFORMATION
Your vehicle is designed to operate on gasoline or Com-
pressed Natural Gas (CNG). Compressed Natural Gas is
made up primarily of methane and is in a gaseous state at
all times.
The manufacturer’s built vehicles equipped with com-
pressed natural gas fueled engines are identified by the
character T in the eighth (engine) position of the Vehicle
Identification Number (V.I.N.).
SAFETY WARNINGS
Natural gas is safe and reliable, when used properly. For
safe operation of your vehicle, observe the following
precautions:
WARNING!
•Your vehicle fuel system has a maximum capacity of
3,600 pounds per square inch gauge (24.8 MPa)
compensated to a temperature of 70° F (21° C). The
vehicle should only be filled from refueling equip-
ment incorporating temperature compensation to
70° F (21° C). Exceeding the fuel system capacity may
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
result in fuel system damage and possibly cause
injury.
•Do not attempt to force open or tamper with the fuel
fill receptacle. A sudden release of natural gas may
occur, possibly causing injury.
•Natural gas contains an odorant additive and persis-
tent natural gas odor may indicate a leak. If a
persistent natural odor is detected, the cause should
be located and corrected immediately by a qualified
technician.
•Do not park or service your vehicle near any source
of excessive heat or open flame. Never use a paint
oven to cure any paint repairs. The natural gas
storage containers on this vehicle are equipped with
pressure relief devices which vent at 230° F (110° C).
•Do not paint or under coat any natural gas fuel
system components. Unlike gasoline, a compressed
natural gas fuel system is under very high pressure
even when the engine is not running. To avoid risk of
personal injury, any repair to the fuel system should
be performed by a qualified technician.
(Continued)
12 SAFETY

WARNING! (Continued)
•Natural gas vapors at atmospheric pressure are
lighter than air and will rise and disperse in open
areas. In enclosed areas, natural gas vapor may
collect and form a combustible mixture. If the vehicle
is routinely placed in an enclosed area, the area
should be provided with adequate ventilation and/or
a natural gas detection system. For long term storage,
the manual shutoff valve and individual container
valves should be closed.
•When a vehicle is involved in an accident which has
or may have caused damage to the natural gas fuel
system, the system must be inspected and pressure
tested by a qualified technician before returning the
vehicle to service.
•
Any fuel system component, including the containers,
that has been subjected to fire may not be returned to
service due to reduced pressure capability.
MANUAL SHUT OFF VALVE
The manual one-quarter turn shut off valve is located
inside the protective cover for the tanks. It’s location is
identified by a label on the top of the cover. This valve
isolates the fuel containers from the rest of the fuel system.
Manual Shut Off Valve Access Door
3
SAFETY 13

1—ValveOff 1—ValveOn
Manual Shut Off Valve Manual Shut Off Valve
14 SAFETY

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
䡵STARTING THE VEHICLE ..................16
䡵FUELING THE VEHICLE ...................16
▫Adding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) .......18
䡵TRAILER TOWING .......................19
4

STARTING THE VEHICLE
Your vehicle uses the same starting procedures as de-
scribed in the Ram 1500/2500/3500 Owner’s Manual. No
special starting instructions are required.
NOTE: Periodically the vehicle will automatically switch
from operation on CNG to Gasoline for a short duration,
depending on conditions. This is done for a number of
reasons, including to maintain the freshness and appropri-
ate seasonal blend of gasoline, to ensure maintenance of
the gasoline injectors and/or to meet high-load demands.
FUELING THE VEHICLE
1. Open the fuel filler door.
1 — NGV 1 Receptacle
2 — Gasoline Fuel Filling Receptacle
NOTE: There is no fuel filler cap. A flapper door inside the
filler pipe seals the system.
2. Insert the fuel nozzle fully into the filler pipe – the
nozzle opens and holds the flapper door while refuel-
ing.
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel – when the fuel nozzle “clicks”
or shuts off the fuel tank is full.
4. Remove the fuel nozzle and close the fuel door.
Fuel Filler Door
16 STARTING AND OPERATING

Emergency Fuel Can Refueling
Most fuel cans will not open the flapper door.
A funnel is provided to open the flapper door to allow
emergency refueling with a fuel can.
1. Retrieve fuel funnel from the jack kit located under the
front passenger seat.
2. Insert funnel into same filler pipe opening as the fuel
nozzle.
NOTE: Ensure funnel is inserted fully to hold flapper door
open.
3. Pour fuel into funnel opening.
4. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting
back in the jack kit.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
•Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regulations
and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator Light” to
turn on.
•A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
Fuel Fill Funnel Location 2500/3500 Models
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 17

Adding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
The NGV 1 fuel fill receptacle is mounted in the standard
location behind the fuel filler door. The fill dispenser seals
to the receptacle with an O-ring. Replace the O-ring in the
fill receptacle before refueling if it is damaged or missing;
otherwise natural gas can leak while refueling.
Fueling your natural gas powered vehicle can only be
performed at locations specially equipped to refuel natural
gas vehicles.
NOTE: There are a number of NGV1 filler nozzles avail-
able. It may be necessary to rotate the nozzle to ensure
clearance to the fuel filler housing or truck bed.
1 — NGV 1 Receptacle
2 — Gasoline Fuel Filling Receptacle
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to force open or tamper with the fuel
fill receptacle. A sudden release of natural gas may
occur, possibly causing injury.
•Your vehicle fuel system has a maximum capacity of
3600 pounds per square inch gauge (24.8 MPa) com-
pensated to a temperature of 70°F (21°C). Exceeding
(Continued)
Fuel Filler Door
18 STARTING AND OPERATING