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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
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Page 256 of 532

NOTE: When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of
fuel or the fuel gels at low temperatures, air is pulled into
the fuel system.
You may try priming as described below.
1. Add a substantial quantity of fuel to the tank (5 to 10
gallons) or eliminate the gelled fuel condition.
2. Crank the engine for 1 to 2 seconds. If the engine does
not start, then release the key or starter button back to the
RUN position (do not turn the key back to the OFF
position). The electric fuel transfer pump will continue to
run and purge air from the system for about 20 seconds.
After 20 seconds, attempt to start the engine again.
3. Start the engine using the Normal Starting Procedure.
4. Repeat the procedure if the engine does not start. WARNING!Do not open the high pressure fuel system when
cranking the engine or with the engine running.
Engine operation causes high fuel pressure. High
pressure fuel spray can cause serious injury or death.
NOTE: The engine may run rough until the air is forced
from all the fuel lines.256 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 257 of 532

Starting Fluids
WARNING!STARTING FLUIDS or flammable liquids are
NEVER TO BE USED in the Cummins Diesel (see
Warning label). Never pour diesel fuel, flammable
liquid, starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner
canister, air intake piping, or turbocharger inlet in an
attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in a
flash fire and explosion causing serious personal
injury and engine damage.
The engine is equipped with an automatic electric air
preheating system. If the instructions in this manual are
followed, the engine should start in all conditions. WARNING!Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
NORMAL OPERATION – DIESEL ENGINE
Observe the following when the engine is operating.
• All message center lights are off.
• Check Engine Lamp is off.
• Engine Oil Pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
• Low Oil Pressure light is off.
• Voltmeter Operation:
• The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation if
certain engine temperatures are below 66°F (19°C).
This cycling operation is caused by the post-heat STARTING AND OPERATING 257
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Page 259 of 532

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
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 Mopar dealer. 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 STARTING AND OPERATING 259
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Page 264 of 532

• Up Steep Hills —
select a lower transmission gear, but try and keep the
torque converter clutch engaged.
• 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 drop264 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 265 of 532
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution. DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING) –
IF EQUIPPED
The Exhaust Brake feature is enabled and disabled by
pressing the exhaust brake switch located on the Instru-
ment Panel.
Exhaust Brake Switch STARTING AND OPERATING 265
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Page 267 of 532

WARNING!It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (5 Speed
545RFE) — If Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position! STARTING AND OPERATING 267
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