2007 Ram 2500 (Diesel) coolant

•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.
Fuel Operating Range (6.7L Diesel Engine)
NOTE:Use “Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuels”ONLY.
*No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F/-23°C) exist.NOTE:
•Use of Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or
Number 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
•Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of
Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.
NOTE:The engine requires the use of“Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuel”. Use of incorrect fuel could result in
engine and exhaust system damage. Refer to Fuel Re-
quirements 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
STARTING AND OPERATING 283
5

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.
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
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine Idling — In Cold Weather
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient temperatures below
0°F. Long periods of idling may be harmful to your
engine because combustion chamber temperatures can
drop so low that the fuel may not burn completely.
Incomplete combustion allows carbon and varnish to
form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also, the
unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting the oil
and causing rapid wear to the engine.
NOTE:An optional driver-controlled high idle speed is
available on automatic transmission equipped vehicles
with speed control. This feature allows the driver to
select an elevated idle speed between 1100 and 1500
rpms. Your dealer can enable this feature.
NOTE:
•If ambient temperatures are low and the coolant
temperature is below 200°F (93°C), the engine idlespeed 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 exhaust brake,
operating the exhaust brake at idle will greatly im-
prove warm up rate and will help keep the engine
close to operating temperature during extended idle.
CAUTION!
Use of aftermarket exhaust brakes is not recom-
mended and could lead to engine damage
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

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).Driving
ConditionLoadTurbo-
charger
TemperatureIdle Time
(min.) Be-
fore Engine
Shutdown
Stop and
GoEmpty Cool Less than
One
Stop and
GoMedium One
Highway
SpeedsMedium Warm Two
City Traffic Maximum
GCWRThree
Highway
SpeedsMaximum
GCWRFour
Uphill
GradeMaximum
GCWRHot Five
STARTING AND OPERATING 287
5

Engine Speed Control
CAUTION!
Prevent overspeeding the engine going down hill.
When descending steep grades, use a combination of
gears and service brakes to control vehicle/engine
speed. Overspeed can cause severe engine damage.
Operating Precautions
Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the coolant (a mixture of 50%
ethylene-glycol and 50% water) must not exceed the
normal range of the temperature gauge (240°F/116°C)
with a 16 psi (110 kPa) radiator cap.
Usually the coolant temperature indicated during opera-
tion will be to the left of center in the normal range of the
gauge.
Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low coolant temperature below
the normal range on the gauge (140°F/60°C) can be
harmful to the engine. Low coolant temperature can
cause incomplete combustion which allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings and injector nozzles.
Also, the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting
the lubricating oil and causing rapid wear to the engine.
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient temperature conditions, take the
following actions:
•City Driving —
when stopped, put transmission in neutral and increase
engine idle speed.
•Highway Driving —
reduce your speed.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Up Steep Hills —
select a lower transmission gear, but try and keep the
torque converter locked.
•Air Conditioning —
turn it off temporarily.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the
minimum oil pressures required are:
Idle 700 to 800 RPM............... 10psi(69kPa)
Full speed and load.............. 30psi(207 kPa)
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal readings, shut
the engine off immediately. Failure to do so could
result in immediate and severe engine damage.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
Practically all failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:
•engine misfiring or vibrating severely
•sudden loss of power
•unusual engine noises
•fuel, oil or coolant leaks
•sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature
•excessive smoke
•oil pressure drop
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
5

Upshifts into both overdrive gears, 5th and 6th, will be
delayed when the transmission fluid temperature is
below 40° F (4.5° C) or above 240° F (115.5° C).
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in 2nd or 1st First gear in high ambients as torque
converter slip can impose significant additional heat load
on the cooling system.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled 5th and 6th (Overdrive). The trans-
mission will automatically shift from Drive to Overdrive
if the following conditions are present:
•the transmission selector is in Drive;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
•the “TOW HAUL” switch has not been activated;
•transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5

NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
switch down (-). The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
high gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmissionis not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the “TOW/HAUL” button, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
Out of Park Sense Alarm — If Equipped
Vehicles equipped with a Diesel Engine and a Automatic
Transmission may be equipped with an Alarm that warns
the customer, upon exiting the vehicle, that the transmis-
sion is not in the Park position. This feature will only be
functional under following conditions:
296 STARTING AND OPERATING