Page 249 of 532

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
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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 329 of 532

Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline or
E85 Ethanol blends are not the responsibility of the
manufacturer. While MTBE is an oxygenate made from
Methanol, it does not have the negative effects of Metha-
nol.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese-containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasolines
blended with MMT provide no performance advantage
beyond gasolines of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT reduce spark plug
life and reduce emission system performance. We recom-
mend that gasolines free of MMT be used in your vehicle.
The MMT content of gasoline may not be indicated on
the gasoline pump; therefore, you should ask your gaso-
line retailer whether or not his/her gasoline contains
MMT. It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at levels
higher than allowed in the United States. MMT is pro-
hibited in Federal and California reformulated gasolines.
Materials Added To Fuel
All gasolines sold in the United States are required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There-
fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s
performance: STARTING AND OPERATING 329
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Page 334 of 532

WARNING!• Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
• Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running. This is in violation of most state and
federal fire regulations and will cause the Mal-
function Indicator Light to turn on.
NOTE: Tighten the gas cap 1/4 turn until you hear one
click. This is an indication that the cap is properly
tightened.
If the gas cap is not tightened properly, the Malfunction
Indicator Light will come on, Be sure the gas cap is
tightened every time the vehicle is refueled. WARNING!A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicles diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
GASCAP message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Press the odometer reset button to turn the
message off. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started. This might
indicate a damaged cap. If the problem is detected twice334 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 335 of 532
in a row, the system will turn on the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving the problem will turn
the MIL light off.
Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines)
CAUTION!To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:
• When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
• Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. • Make sure that the gas cap is tightened each time the
vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is on a truck bed. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
If the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure the replacement
cap is for use with this vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 335
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Page 337 of 532

You may try priming as described below. However, if the
engine will not start, refer to the fuel priming procedure
in the Service Manual or have the vehicle towed to an
authorized Dodge dealer.
WARNING!Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death.
Priming if the engine has run out of fuel
1. Add a substantial quantity of fuel to the tank 5 to 10
gallons (19 to 38L).
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.
CAUTION!Do not engage the starter motor for more than 15
seconds at a time. Allow two minutes between the
cranking intervals.
NOTE: The engine may run rough until the air is forced
from all the fuel lines. STARTING AND OPERATING 337
5
Page 410 of 532
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter (Diesel
Engines)
CAUTION!Do not drain the fuel/water separator filter when the
engine is running. CAUTION!Do not prefill the fuel filter when installing a new
fuel filter. There is a possibility debris could be
introduced into the fuel filter during this action. It is
best to install the filter dry and allow the in-tank lift
pump to prime the fuel system.
NOTE: Care should be taken in disposing of used fluids
from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately dis-
carded, can present a problem to the environment. Con-
tact your local dealer, service station, or government
agency for advice on recycling programs and for where
used fluids and filters can be properly disposed of in
your area.
Drain a small amount from the fuel/water separator
filter monthly or when the WATER IN FUEL indicator
lamp is on. Turn the drain valve, located on the bottom of410 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 411 of 532

the filter, counterclockwise and allow any accumulated
water to drain. Leave the drain valve open until all water
and contaminants have been removed. Close the drain
valve, by turning it clockwise, when clean fuel is visible.
NOTE: The Fuel / Water separator drain valve is
located on the bottom of the fuel filter housing.
If more than a couple ounces of fuel has been drained,
follow the directions below for “Priming if the engine has
run out of fuel.”
WARNING!Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death. Priming if the engine has run out of fuel
1. Add a substantial quantity of fuel to the tank 5 to 10
gallons (19L to 38L).
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 25 seconds.
After 25 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. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411
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