Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
HVAC air inlet:Check for debris, leaves, etc. that may have
collected on the HVAC air inlet grille or inside
the exterior module as this may cause reduced
system performance.
HVAC fresh air filter
(if equipped):Periodically check the HVAC fresh air filter for
cleanliness.
Exercise great caution when working on vehicle equipped with
an automatic fan clutch. The fan starts in motion only after the
engine coolant reaches a predetermined temperature or the refrigerant
pressure (if equipped with air conditioning) reaches a predetermined
setting. The fan will start at these point with no advance warning.
Never reach near, or permit objects to protrude into, the fan blade
radius while the engine is running as this could result in vehicle
damage, personal injury or death.
Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Safety/Emergency
equipment:Prior to entering the cab, verify that the
vehicle is equipped with spare electrical fuses
(if used), three red reflective triangles, a
properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
and wheel chocks. Walk around the vehicle
and check that all steps and grab handles,
inside and out as well as behind, are tight and
clean. Use extreme caution and a three-point
stance at all times. Check door latches for
positive closing, latching and locking.
Starting the engine:Verify the parking brake is set. Depress the
clutch (if equipped with a manual
transmission) and verify the transmission is in
neutral. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission should be in N (Neutral).
When the WAIT TO START indicator light in
the instrument cluster turns off, turn the key
to START.
Vehicle inspection guide
12
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the on position). If your vehicle
is equipped with dual fuel tanks, the
engine will draw fuel from the
passenger-side fuel tank only. With
dual fuel tanks, the vehicle will be
equipped with a fuel transfer pump system that will draw fuel from the
driver-side fuel tank and send fuel to the passenger-side fuel tank. The
passenger-side fuel tank must have fuel in it at all times otherwise the
vehicle may stall and may be difficult to re-start. The fuel gauge reads
the fuel level only from the passenger-side fuel tank.
Air pressure gauge (if equipped):
All vehicles equipped with air brakes
have a dual-pointer air gauge to
indicate the pressure in each brake
circuit. The green pointer indicates
the air pressure in the primary
system and the red pointer indicates
the air pressure in the secondary
system. When the pressure is too low
for normal brake operation (less than
60 psi [414 kPa]) and the ignition is
on:
•a warning buzzer will sound and
•a warning light will illuminate in the instrument cluster
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic brakes and an air compressor have a
single-pointer air gauge.
Note:This system doesnothave a low air pressure warning buzzer or a
low air pressure warning light.
Do not drive the vehicle when the low air pressure buzzer is
sounding or the warning light is lit. These warnings indicate
there is not enough air pressure for the brake or suspension system to
operate properly.
0 30120 90 60
150AIR
PRESSURE
PSI
Instrumentation
29
To lower the shoulder belt height, push the button and slide the height
adjuster down. To raise the height of the shoulder belt, slide the height
adjuster up. Pull down on the height adjuster to make sure it is locked in
place.
Position the safety belt height adjusters so that the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety
belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt and
increase the risk of injury in a collision.
Lap belts
The front center and rear center lap belts do not adjust automatically.
The lap belt should fit snugly and as low as possible around the
hips, not across the waist.
Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle (the buckle closest to the
direction the tongue is coming
from). To lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt
and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it fits snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when
not in use.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Seating and safety restraints
74
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates 1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8 seconds.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
BeltMinder
The BeltMinder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt
warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the
driver that the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster.
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the vehicle has
reached at least 3 mph (5 km/h)
and 1-2 minutes have elapsed
since the ignition switch has been
turned to ON...The BeltMinder feature is activated -
the safety belt warning light
illuminates and the warning chime
sounds for 6 seconds every 30
seconds, repeating for approximately 5
minutes or until safety belt is buckled.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
while the safety belt indicator light
is illuminated and the safety belt
warning chime is sounding...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
Seating and safety restraints
75
Hot weather operation
•Keep the engine cooling system filled with a clean, permanent coolant
solution to protect against damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent condensation
in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while driving
in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct this
problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting in to the
next lower gear to increase engine RPM.
Starting a turbocharged engine with the vehicle on a steep grade
When starting a diesel engine when the loaded vehicle is on a grade, the
engine RPM will start to fall slightly when the clutch is engaged; do not
disengage the clutch and try to increase engine RPM as this may damage
driveline components. The engine will recover as the vehicle begins
moving.
Engine shutdown
Allow the engine to idle for three to five minutes before shutting it
down. The larger the engine, the greater the need for this idling period.
However, do not let the engine idle for more than 10 minutes.
Engine automatic shutdown warning light or chime (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic shutdown feature that
stops the engine in the event of high coolant temperature, low engine oil
pressure or low engine coolant level. A warning light in the instrument
cluster and a warning chime will indicate high engine coolant
temperature or low engine oil pressure. If the temperature and/or
pressure becomes too high or too low, the engine will automatically shut
down.
Driving
90
The reserve system provides reduced braking power, so the vehicle
should be operated under these conditions with caution, and only to seek
service repair and remove the vehicle from the roadway.
For Hydromax, under normal operating conditions noise of the fluid
flowing through the booster may be heard whenever the brake is applied.
This condition is normal. Vehicle service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes very poor, even when
the pedal is strongly applied, this may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or fluid leakage. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible and seek service immediately.
If the red BRAKE warning lamp in
the instrument cluster remains
illuminated after engine start up,
this indicates a system failure in the
master cylinder of the brake system. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible and seek service immediately.
If the yellow BRAKE RESERVE
(E-motor) warning light remains on
while the engine is running, this
indicates inadequate hydraulic
booster pressure or reserve pump
system failure. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible and seek
service immediately.
BRAKE
Driving
94
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, pull handle up until it
snaps into the locked position.
When the parking brake is out of
adjustment, seek service
immediately.
The parking BRAKE warning lamp
in the instrument cluster illuminates
and remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the parking brake.
Always set the parking brake fully AND make sure the gearshift
selector is in R (Reverse) for vehicles equipped with manual
transmission, P (Park)(if equipped)or N (Neutral) for vehicles with
automatic transmission. Use of wheel chocks is also recommended in
hilly or off-road usage.
Unexpected and possible sudden vehicle movement may occur if
these precautions are not taken.
P
BRAKE
Driving
95
vehicle will be adversely affected. Repairs should be made immediately
to an inoperative air brake system circuit.
Parking brake control (knob)
Pull the yellow parking brake knob
out to apply the parking brake. Push
the knob in to release the parking
brake.
This control is used for
parking only. Do not leave
the vehicle unattended after
setting the parking brake without
placing the transmission in R
(Reverse) for manual
transmission, N (Neutral) for
automatic transmission (except
Allison 2400 transmission) or P
(Park) (Allison 2400
transmission). Use of wheel
chocks is also recommended in
hilly or off-road usage.
The parking BRAKE warning lamp
in the instrument cluster illuminates
and remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Releasing spring brake with air pressure
The air system in all vehicles with spring-actuated rear wheel parking
brakes is equipped with a tank valve located on the supply or service air
tank for connection to an outside air supply. The valve permits the
system to be recharged with air from an outside source, releasing the
spring-actuated parking brakes. The vehicle may then be towed in an
emergency.
An outside air source can be used only if the protected system is in
operating condition. If air pressure cannot be restored in the protected
air system, the spring-actuated brakes must be released manually.PARKING
BRAKE
PULL TO
RELEASE
APPLY
PUSH TO
P
BRAKE
Driving
103