2005 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL heater

Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32°F (0°C) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:
Fuel Operating Range
*No. 1 diesel fuel should only be used where extended
arctic conditions (-10°F/-23°C) exist.
NOTE:
•Use of Climatized Diesel Fuel or Number 1 Diesel Fuel
results in a noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
•Climatized 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 Mopardealer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
5

The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.
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 0°F (-18°C)
•Block Heater Required for 15W-40
•Block Heater Recommended for 5W-40
B.Temperatures below - 20°F (-29°C)
•Block 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 Mopardealer.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0°F (-18°). 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 Mopardealer.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.CAUTION!
Use the Jump Start Procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in
the center. Do not attempt jump starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If charge indicator (if equipped) has a green
dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of
booster battery and the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the discharged battery.
328 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Used Coolant......................... 364
Door Ajar............................. 164
Door Locks............................. 16
Door Opener, Garage..................... 134
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......... 351
Drive Belts............................ 348
Dual Rear Wheels.....................280,324
Electric Rear Window Defrost..........81,210,214
Electrical Power Outlets................... 143
Electronic Speed Control................... 124
Emergency Brake........................ 255
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 331
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 314
Jacking............................. 318
Jump Starting......................... 327
Tow Hooks.......................... 331
Towing............................. 332Emission Control System Maintenance......... 402
Engine............................... 338
Air Cleaner.......................... 349
Block Heater.......................224,231
Break-In Recommendations................ 67
Compartment......................... 338
Coolant (Antifreeze).................363,398
Cooling............................. 361
Data Plate........................... 311
Identification......................... 338
Idling.............................. 233
Jump Starting......................... 327
Oil ..............................343,398
Oil Synthetic......................... 233
Runaway............................ 281
Temperature Gauge..................... 165
Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 363
Exhaust Gas Caution................69,155,360
Exhaust System....................69,360,375
INDEX 435
10

Glass Cleaning.......................... 382
GVWR............................... 286
Hands-Free Phone........................ 83
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 314
Head Restraints......................... 108
Headlights.......................... 116,385
High Beam........................... 119
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 119
Lights On Reminder.................... 117
Passing............................. 119
Switch.............................. 116
Heated Mirrors....................81,210,214
Heated Seats........................... 112
Heater............................... 207
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 119
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 292
Hoisting.............................. 327Homelink Transmitter.................... 134
Hood Release.......................... 113
Hoses.............................366,368
Hub Caps............................. 323
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 369
Ignition.............................14,223
Key ............................... 11,14
Lock................................ 14
Infant Restraint.......................... 56
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 276
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 78
Instrument Cluster....................161,162
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 160
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 382
Interior Appearance Care.................. 381
Intermittent Wipers...................... 120
Introduction............................. 4
INDEX 437
10

Transfer Case......................... 246
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer
Case Neutral (N)..................303,306
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N)..................305,308
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage.............. 41
Shoulder Belts........................... 34
Side Airbag............................. 54
Signals, Turn........................... 118
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 276
Snow Plow............................ 298
Snow Tires............................ 278
Spare Tire..........................272,273
Speed Control.......................... 124
Speedometer........................... 164
Starting............................... 224
Engine Block Heater.................224,231
Steering
Column Controls...................... 118Column Lock.......................... 14
Linkage............................. 357
Power...........................259,356
Wheel, Tilt........................... 122
Storage, Behind the Seat................... 147
Storage Compartment, Center Seat........... 147
Storage, Vehicle......................... 384
Storing Your Vehicle...................... 384
Sun Roof.............................. 140
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 276
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 233
Tachometer............................ 163
Tailgate............................... 153
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............60,63
Tilt Steering Column..................... 122
Tire and Loading Information Placard....264,265,276
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 263
Tire Markings.......................... 260
INDEX 443
10