2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL heater

Fuel Operating Range
*No. 1 diesel fuel should only be used where extended
arctic conditions (-10ÉF/-23ÉC) exist.
NOTE:
²Use of Climatized Diesel Fuel or Number 1 Diesel Fuel
results in a noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
²Climatized Diesel Fuel is a blend of Number 2 and
Number 1 Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature
at which wax crystals form in fuel.NOTE:Refer to Fuel Requirements in this section for
further details on fuel recommendations.
Engine Block Heater
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground±fault interrupter protected 110±115 volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood to
the right side and can be located just behind the grille
near the headlamp.
NOTE:The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized Mopartdealer.
The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110±115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
NOTE:The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
Block Heater Usage
A.Temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC)
²Block Heater Required for 15W-40
²Block Heater Recommended for 5W-40
B.Temperatures below - 20ÉF (-29ÉC)
²Block Heater Required for 5W-40
Winter Front Usage
If a winter front or cold weather cover is to be used, a
percentage of the total grille opening area must be left
uncovered to provide sufficient air flow to the charge air
cooler and automatic transmission oil cooler. The per-
centage of opening must be increased with the increasing
ambient air temperature and/or engine load. If the
cooling fan can be heard cycling frequently, increase the
size of the opening in the winter front. A suitable cold
weather cover is available from your Mopartdealer.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0ÉF (-18É). For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of 120 VAC
powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized Mopartdealer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
5

JUMP-STARTING
WARNING!
To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from battery
vent holes. Always wear eye protection when work-
ing with batteries.
Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 volt system, i.e. do
not use a 24 volt power source.
NOTE:Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicles charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12±volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery, with jumper
cables, to start a vehicle's engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be followed:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If indica-
tor (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
310 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Used Coolant......................... 346
Door Ajar............................. 145
Door Locks............................. 16
Door Opener, Garage..................... 120
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......... 334
Drive Belts............................ 331
Dual Rear Wheels.....................263,306
Electric Rear Window Defrost..........78,191,195
Electrical Power Outlets................... 126
Electronic Speed Control................... 109
Emergency Brake........................ 238
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 313
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 296
Jacking............................. 300
Jump Starting......................... 310
Tow Hooks.......................... 314
Towing............................. 315Emission Control System Maintenance......... 384
Engine............................... 320
Air Cleaner.......................... 331
Block Heater.......................205,212
Break-In Recommendations................ 67
Compartment......................... 320
Coolant..........................345,380
Cooling............................. 343
Data Plate........................... 294
Identification......................... 320
Idling.............................. 214
Jump Starting......................... 310
Oil ..............................325,380
Oil Synthetic......................... 214
Runaway............................ 264
Temperature Gauge..................... 146
Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 345
Exhaust Gas Caution................69,136,342
Exhaust System....................69,342,358
INDEX 415
10

Glass Cleaning.......................... 365
GVWR............................... 269
Hands-Free Phone........................ 79
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 296
Head Restraints.......................... 93
Headlights..........................101,367
High Beam........................... 104
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 104
Lights On Reminder.................... 102
Passing............................. 104
Switch.............................. 101
Heated Mirrors....................78,191,195
Heated Seats............................ 96
Heater............................... 187
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch.......... 104
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 275
Hoisting.............................. 309Homelink Transmitter.................... 120
Hood Release........................... 97
Hoses.............................348,350
Hub Caps............................. 306
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 351
Ignition.............................14,204
Key ............................... 11,14
Lock................................ 14
Infant Restraint........................55,56
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 259
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 75
Instrument Cluster....................142,143
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 141
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 365
Interior Appearance Care.................. 364
Intermittent Wipers...................... 105
Introduction............................. 4
INDEX 417
10

Shifting............................... 218
Automatic Transmission................. 218
Manual Transmission.................222,224
Transfer Case......................... 229
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer
Case Neutral (N)..................286,288
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N)..................287,290
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage.............. 41
Shoulder Belts........................... 34
Side Airbag............................. 53
Signals, Turn........................... 103
Snow Chains........................... 259
Snow Plow............................ 282
Snow Tires............................ 261
Speed Control.......................... 109
Speedometer........................... 145
Starting............................... 205
Engine Block Heater.................205,212Steering
Column Controls...................... 103
Column Lock.......................... 14
Linkage............................. 340
Power...........................242,339
Wheel, Tilt........................... 107
Storage, Behind the Seat................... 129
Storage Compartment, Center Seat........... 129
Storage, Vehicle......................... 366
Storing Your Vehicle...................... 366
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 259
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 214
Tachometer............................ 144
Tailgate............................... 135
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............59,63
Tilt Steering Column..................... 107
Tire and Loading Information Placard......247,259
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 246
INDEX 423
10