2007 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL exhaust brake

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

speed will slowly increase to 1000 RPM after 2 minutes
of idle, if the following conditions are met:
•foot is off brake pedal and throttle pedal
•automatic transmission is in Park (P)
•vehicle speed is zero
•Applying the throttle will cancel fast idle
•If the engine is equipped with an aftermarket exhaust
brake (manual transmissions only), operating the ex-
haust brake at idle will greatly improve warm up rate
and will help keep the engine close to operating
temperature during extended idle.
Stopping The Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine 3 to 5 minutes
before shutting it down. This idle period will allow the
lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat away from the combustion chamber, bearings, internal components,
and turbocharger. This is especially important for turbo-
charged, charge air cooled engines.
NOTE:
During engine shutdown on vehicles equipped
with manual transmissions, it is normal for the diesel
engine to resonate heavily for a moment during engine
shut off. When the engine is connected to a manual
transmission, this resonance causes load gear rattle from
the transmission. This is commonly referred to as “shut
down rattle”. The manufacturer recommends performing
engine shut down with the clutch pedal pushed to the
floor (clutch disengaged). When engine shut down is
performed in this manner the rattle is reduced (not
eliminated).
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING OFF-ROAD
Care should be taken when attempting to climb steep
hills or driving diagonally across a hill or slope. If natural
obstacles force you to travel diagonally up or down a hill,
choose a mild angle and keep as little side tilt as possible.
Keep the vehicle moving and make turns slowly and
cautiously.
If you must back down a hill, back straight down using
REVERSE gear. Never back down in NEUTRAL, or
diagonally across the hill.
When driving over sand, mud, and other soft terrain,
shift to low gear and drive steadily. Apply the accelerator
slowly to avoid spinning the wheels.
DO NOT REDUCE the tire pressures for this type of
driving. NOTE:
After off-road usage, particularly in sand or
mud, inspect the underside of the vehicle for accumu-
lated dirt at the propeller shaft, axles, U-joints, brake
rotors and calipers.
Use a hose to clean off any accumulation of dirt or mud.
Check the exhaust system and all exposed components
for any sign of damage.
If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud,
slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for im-
pacted material. Impacted foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance. Removing the foreign material from
the wheels will correct the situation.
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
5

▫Front Axle Universal Drive Joints And Pivot
Bearings ............................398
▫ Body Lubrication .....................399
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ................399
▫ Windshield Washers ...................399
▫ Exhaust System ......................400
▫ Cooling System .......................401
▫ Fan ...............................407
▫ Charge Air Cooler (Inter-Cooler) ..........408
▫ Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses .......408
▫ Brake System ........................409
▫ Clutch Linkage .......................411
▫ Clutch Hydraulic System ................411 ▫
Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving
Axle Fluid Level ......................411
▫ Transfer Case — If Equipped .............412
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......412
▫ Automatic Transmission ................413
▫ Front Wheel Bearings ..................415
▫ Selection Of Lubricating Grease ...........416
▫ Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty ...........................417
▫ Appearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion ......................422

Fuses (Integrated Power Module) ...........426

Vehicle Storage ........................431

Replacement Light Bulbs .................432
376 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Cartridge Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
23 10 Amp Red Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM)/Wireless
Control Module
(WCM)/HVC
24 20 Amp Blue Subwoofer Amplifier
(SRT-10 Only)
25 10 Amp Red Power Mirror
26 20 Amp Yellow Brake Switch/Center
High Mount Stop
Lamp (CHMSL)
27 40 Amp Green Power Seats
28 10 Amp Red Power Run/Start-
NCC/Wireless Con-
trol Module (WCM)/
ABS/RWALCavity Cartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
29 10 Amp Red Switches/EC Mirror/
Smart Bar
30 15 Amp Blue Spare
31 10 Amp Red PCM/Transfer Case
Brake
32 10 Amp Red HVAC/Ajustable
Pedals/Heated Seats
Switch LED/Exhaust
Brake
33 10 Amp Red Power-IGN Run Misc
34 10 Amp Red Spare
35 15 Amp Blue Cabin Compartment
Node (CCN) Illumi-
nation
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 429
7

Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the batteries and clean and tighten the termi-
nals as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and transfer case (if
equipped), add as needed.
•Check Filter Minder™. Replace air cleaner filter
element if necessary.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Drain water from the fuel filter. At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the U-Joints ( if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the manual transmission fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
•Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fittin
452 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Tow Hooks.......................... 371
Towing ............................. 372
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 450
Engine ............................... 378
Air Cleaner .......................... 389
Block Heater ....................... 254,261
Break-In Recommendations ................ 71
Compartment ......................... 378
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 446
Cooling ............................. 401
Data Plate ........................... 380
Identification ......................... 378
Idling .............................. 263
Jump Starting ......................... 367
Oil .............................. 383,446
Oil Synthetic ......................... 262
Runaway ............................ 317
Temperature Gauge ..................... 181
Event Data Recorder ...................... 56 Exhaust Gas Caution
................73,172,401
Exhaust System ................. 73,400,401,418
Exterior Lighting ........................ 124
Fan .................................. 407
Filters Engine Oil ..................... 383,386,446
Flashers Turn Signal .......................... 127
Flat Tire Stowage ..................... 356,366
Fluid, Brake ........................... 447
Fluid Capacities ......................... 445
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... 409
Manual Transmission ................... 412
Power Steering ........................ 397
Transfer Case ......................... 412
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 446
Fog Lights ....................... 126,185,436
482 INDEX