2007 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures – Diesel Engines .........253
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........253
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ......253
▫ Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
Airtemperature Above 66°F (19°C) .........254
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66°F (19°C) ...........255
▫ Starting Fluids .......................259

Normal Operation (Diesel Engine) ...........259
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ...............260 ▫
Engine Idling — In Cold Weather ..........263
▫ Stopping The Engine ...................264
▫ Engine Speed Control ..................265
▫ Operating Precautions ..................265
▫ Cooling System Tips —
Automatic Transmission ................266

Transmission Shifting ....................267
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive— If
Equipped ...........................267
5

Manual Transmission ....................274
▫ Downshifting ........................275

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 276
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ................276
▫ Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case ..............................279
▫ Transfer Case Reminder Light ............280
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions–If Equipped .......280
▫ Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ........................285

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped .......287

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............288

Driving Off-Road .......................289

Parking Brake .........................290

Brake System ..........................291
▫ Brake Noise .........................292
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........292

Power Steering ........................294

Tire Safety Information ...................295
▫ Tire Markings ........................295
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........299
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........300

Tires — General Information ...............304
▫ Tire Pressure .........................304
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................305
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Radial-Ply Tires ......................307
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........308
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........309
▫ Tire Spinning ........................309
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................310
▫ Life Of Tire .........................311
▫ Replacement Tires .....................311
▫ Alignment And Balance .................312

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – If
Equipped ............................313

Tire Chains ...........................313

Snow Tires ...........................315

Tire Rotation Recommendations ............315
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .....................316

Engine Runaway .......................317

Fuel Requirements (Diesel Engines) ..........318
▫ Fuel Specifications ....................318

Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines) ..............320
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............321
▫ Bulk Fuel Storage .....................322

Vehicle Loading ........................323
▫ Certification Label .....................323
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
5

Trailer Towing .........................327
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............327
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............331
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ......................332
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............332
▫ Towing Requirements ..................333
▫ Towing Tips .........................338
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped ......339

Snowplow ............................341
▫ Before Plowing .......................342 ▫
Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 342
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ...........................343
▫ Methods For Removing Snow ............343
▫ Operating Tips .......................343
▫ General Maintenance ...................344

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 345
▫ Recreational Towin g – 2 Wheel
Drive Models ........................345
▫ Recreational Towin g – 4 Wheel
Drive Models ........................345
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES – DIESEL ENGINES
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5

The Cummins Diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
•The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed
in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind
the oil filter. It requires a 110–115 volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
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 Mopar dealer.
•A 12–volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids
in preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
•A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
AirTemperature Above 66°F (19°C)
Observe the Instrument Panel Cluster lights when start-
ing the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. Fully
depress and hold the clutch and shift into NEUTRAL for
a manual transmission. Models with manual transmis-
sion are equipped with a clutch interlocking cranking
system. The clutch must be fully depressed to start the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and look at
the instrument panel cluster lamps.
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 —
Maintaining Your Vehicle, for water drain proce-
dures.
4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time as starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least two minutes before trying
again.
5. When the engine starts, release the key.
6. Check to see that there is oil pressure.
7. Release the parking brake.
Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66°F (19°C)
NOTE: The temperature displayed on the overhead
console (if equipped) does not necessarily reflect the
engine manifold air temperature. When certain engine
temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C) the lamp will remain
on indicating the intake manifold heater system is active.
Follow the steps in the Normal Starting Procedure ex-
cept:
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
5

CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least 2 minutes for starter to cool
before repeating start procedure.
•The WAIT TO START light will remain on for a period
of time (length of time depends on engine tempera-
ture).
•After the WAIT TO START light goes off, turn the
ignition key to START. Do not press the accelerator
during starting.
•After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil
pressure.
•Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until
the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat
cycle.
•Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE: Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.
NOTE: If the engine stalls or if the ignition switch is left
On for more than 2 minutes after the WAIT TO START
light goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to Off for at least 5 seconds and then back
On. Repeat steps 3 through 7 of the normal starting
procedure.
For Extremely Cold Weather Starting — Engine
Manifold Air Temperature Below 0°F (- 18°C)
In extremely cold weather below 0°F (- 18°C) it may be
beneficial to cycle the manifold heaters twice before
256 STARTING AND OPERATING