2007 Ram 2500 (Diesel) ESP

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.
Arctic Operation
Where there are no provisions to keep the engine warm
when it is operating in ambient temperatures consistently
below (-10°F/-23°C), use 5W-40syntheticengine oil and
fuel that meets the requirements in Section 7, “Mainte-
nance Procedures,” Engine Oil Selection.
Engine Warm-Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine is cold.
When starting a cold engine, bring the engine up to
operating speed slowly to allow the oil pressure to
stabilize as the engine warms up.
NOTE:High-speed, no-load running of a cold engine
can result in excessive white smoke and poor engine
performance. No-load engine speeds should be kept
under 1,200 rpm during the warm-up period, especially
in cold ambient temperature conditions.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for 5 minutes before full loads are
applied.
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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
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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
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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:
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When To Lock Out Overdrive
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent 4–3–4 transmission shifting
occurs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button. This will im-
prove performance and reduce the potential for transmis-
sion overheating or failure due to excessive shifting.
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]. Becausethe engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is 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
Vehicles with a Diesel Engine and an Automatic Trans-
mission are equipped with an Alarm that warns the
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

customer, upon exiting the vehicle, that the transmission
is not in the Park position. This feature will only be
functional under following conditions:
•engine running
•foot off the brake pedal
•driver ’s seat belt is unbuckled
•driver ’s door is open.
When this feature is triggered the horn will sound, the
high beams and turn signal lamps will flash. This will
continue until one of the following conditions is met:
•engine is turned off
•transmission is in Park
•driver ’s door is closed
•driver ’s seat belt is buckled
•brakes applied.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
Truck models with manual transmission are equipped
with a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch
pedal must be fully depressed to start the vehicle.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
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5

NOTE:If steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift
then the desired position indicator light will flash con-
tinuously while the original position indicator light is
ON, until all requirements have been met.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:If your are leaving your vehicle stored for longer
than 21 days, refer to the section on “Vehicle Storage.”
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL — IF EQUIPPED
The limited-slip differential provides additional traction
on snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly whenthere is a difference between the traction characteristics
of the surface under the right and left rear wheels. During
normal driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit per-
forms similarly to a conventional differential. On slip-
pery surfaces, however, the differential delivers more of
the driving effort to the rear wheel having the better
traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during
slippery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a
slippery surface, a slight application of the accelerator
will supply maximum traction. When starting with only
one rear wheel on an excessively slippery surface, slight
momentary application of the parking brake may be
necessary to gain maximum traction.
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ABS Warning Light
The Anti-lock Brake System includes an amber warning
light, located in the instrument cluster. When the light is
illuminated, the Anti-lock Brake System is not function-
ing. The system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes.
WARNING!
Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly
on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or
stop.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason, the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and does not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short period of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and does not in any
way damage the steering system.
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