2008 DODGE RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB fuel

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 Ð Automatic Transmission Only
Do notpress 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
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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.
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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.The Cummins Diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
²The 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 Mopartdealer.
²A 12±volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids
in preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
²A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
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Normal Starting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)
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 for
a manual transmission. Models with manual transmis-
sion are equipped with a clutch interlocking cranking
system. The clutch must be fully depressed to start the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and look at
the instrument panel cluster lamps.
CAUTION!
If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 Ð
Maintaining Your Vehicle, for water drain
procedures.
4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time as starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least two minutes before trying
again.
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NOTE:Excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor-
mance will result if manifold heaters are not recycled.
²Heat generated by the manifold heaters dissipates
rapidly in a cold engine. If more than two minutes
pass between the time the WAIT TO START light goes
OFF and the engine is started, recycle the manifold
heaters by turning the ignition OFF for at least 5
seconds and then back ON.
²If the vehicle is driven and vehicle speed exceeds 19
mph (31 km) before the manifold heater post-heat
(after start) cycle is complete, the manifold heaters will
shut off.
²If the engine is started before the WAIT TO START
light turns off, the preheat cycle will turn off.
²If the engine is cranked for more than 10 seconds, the
post-heat cycle will turn off.NOTE:Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.
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.
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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.
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.
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Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32ÉF (0ÉC) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:
Fuel Operating Range
NOTE:Use ªUltra Low Sulfur Diesel FuelsºONLY.
*No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10ÉF/-23ÉC) exist.NOTE:
²Use of Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or
Number 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
²Climatized 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 ofªUltra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuelº. 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.
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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
size of the opening in the winter front. A suitable cold
weather cover is available from your Mopartdealer.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0ÉF (-18É). 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 Mopartdealer.
Arctic Operation
Where there are no provisions to keep the engine warm
when it is operating in ambient temperatures consistently
below (-10ÉF/-23ÉC), use 5W-40syntheticengine oil and
fuel that meets the requirements in Section 7, ªMainte-
nance Procedures,º 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.
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