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STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS Starting Procedures – Gas Engines ...........248
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........248
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ......248
▫ Normal Starting ......................249
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................249
▫ After Starting ........................251
Starting Procedures – Diesel Engines .........251
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........252
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ......252 ▫ Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
Airtemperature Above 66°F (19°C) .........252
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66°F (19°C) ...........253
▫ Starting Fluids .......................257
Normal Operation – Diesel Engine ..........257
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ...............258
▫ Engine Idling — In Cold Weather ..........261
▫ Stopping The Engine ...................262
▫ Engine Speed Control ..................2635
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▫ Operating Precautions ..................263
▫ Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission 263
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........265
Diesel Exhaust Brake (Engine Braking) – If
Equipped ............................265
Automatic Transmission ..................266
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive (5 Speed
545RFE) — If Equipped .................267
▫ Automatic Transmission (6 Speed AS68RC) — If
Equipped ...........................273
Manual Transmission ....................279
▫ Manual Transmission — 6 Speed (G56) ......280
▫ Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds ........280
▫ Downshifting – Gas Engine ..............281 ▫ Downshifting – Diesel Engine ............282
Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 283
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ................283
▫ Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case ..............................286
▫ Transfer Case Reminder Light ............287
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch)—If
Equipped ...........................288
▫ Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case ..............................292
Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped .......295
Power Take Off Operation – If Equipped ......296
▫ Stationary Mode ......................296244 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Snow Tires ...........................324
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............325
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .....................326
Engine Runaway .......................327
Fuel Requirements ......................327
▫ Fuel Requirements (Gas Engines) ..........327
▫ Fuel Requirements (6.7L Diesel Engines) .....331
Adding Fuel ..........................333
▫ Adding Fuel (Gas Engines) ..............333
▫ Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines) .............335
Vehicle Loading ........................338
▫ Certification Label .....................338
TrailerTowing .........................341 ▫ Common Towing Definitions .............341
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............345
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................346
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............346
▫ Towing Requirements ..................347
▫ TowingTips .........................352
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped ......354
Snowplow ............................355
▫ Before Plowing .......................356
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 357
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ...........................358
▫ Methods For Removing Snow ............358246 STARTING AND OPERATING
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STARTING PROCEDURES – GAS 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.248 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transmission Only
Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running. If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
normal starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded. Ignition Key Positions STARTING AND OPERATING 249
5
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CAUTION!To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury. WARNING!Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is250 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 251 of 532

released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the normal starting procedure should be
repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.
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. STARTING AND OPERATING 251
5
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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.
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 for252 STARTING AND OPERATING