2008 DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB torque

INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.
A MESSAGE FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER
CORPORATION ± DIESEL ENGINES ONLY
DaimlerChrysler Corporation and Cummins welcome
you as a new Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel-
powered truck owner.
Almost 100% of the heavy duty trucks in the United
States and Canada are diesel powered because of the fuel
economy, rugged durability, and high torque which per-
mits pulling heavy loads. Cummins engines power well
over half of these trucks. Now this same technology and
proven performance is yours in your new Dodge Ram
truck equipped with the Cummins 6.7 liter, Turbo-
charged, Charge Air Cooled, Diesel engine.
Your diesel truck will sound, feel, drive, and operate
differently from a gasoline-powered truck. It is important
that you read and understand this manual. You may find
that some of the starting, operating, and maintenance
procedures are different. However, they are simple to
4 INTRODUCTION

the electric shift 4WD system. If the SERV 4WD light
stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
23. Water In Fuel Indicator Ð Diesel Only
Indicates there is water detected in the fuel
filter. Refer to the Maintenance section, Drain-
ing Fuel/Water Separator Filter, for water
drain procedure.(See page 417 for more infor-
mation.)
24. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If thislight comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
25. Wait To Start Indicator Ð Diesel Only
The Wait To Start Indicator will illuminate when
the ignition is turned to the run position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66 degrees F.
Follow engine starting procedure for proper engine start-
ing and operating. Wait until the Wait To Start Indicator
turns OFF then start the vehicle.
NOTE:The Wait To Start Indicator may not illuminate if
the engine coolant temperature is warm enough.
26. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

²Up Steep Hills Ð
select a lower transmission gear, but try and keep the
torque converter clutch engaged.
²Air Conditioning Ð
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:
²engine misfiring or vibrating severely
²sudden loss of power
²unusual engine noises
²fuel, oil or coolant leaks
²sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature
²excessive smoke
²oil pressure drop
STARTING AND OPERATING 269
5

NOTE:For optimum braking power it is recommended
to use the Exhaust Brake while in Tow/Haul Mode.
The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) fea-
ture is to supply negative (braking) torque to the engine.
Typically, the engine braking is used for, but not limited
to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle braking can
be achieved by the internal engine power, thereby spar-
ing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.Benefits of the exhaust brake are:
²vehicle driving control
²reduced brake fade
²longer brake life
²faster cab warm-up.
The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the
engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a
warm-up device, the vehicle must be moving less than 5
MPH, the exhaust brake switch must be in the on
position, and the coolant temperature must below 180 F
and ambient temperature below 60 F.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

ª1º First
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 20 mph (32 km/h) or less
when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed,
do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in ª2º Second or ª1º First gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth speed (Overdrive).
The transmission will automatically shift from Drive to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
²the transmission selector is in Drive;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
²the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº switch has not been
activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

reduce the potential for transmission overheating or
failure due to excessive shifting. When operating in
ªTOW HAULº mode, 5th gear is disabled and 2-3 and 3-4
shift patterns are modified. Shifts into Overdrive (4th
gear) are allowed during steady cruise (for improved fuel
economy) and automatic closed-throttle downshifts to
3rd gear (for improved braking) will occur during steady
braking. Pressing the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº button a
second time to select O/D OFF will disable 4th and 5th
gear completely, which should eliminate any excessive
transmission shifting.
The ªTOW HAULº or ªO/D OFFº light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has
been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores
normal operation. If the ªTOW HAULº or ªO/D OFFº
modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time
the engine is started.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 ªTOW/HAULº button twice to disable
the overdrive. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission 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.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the ªTOW/HAULº 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.Automatic Transmission (6 Speed AS68RC) Ð 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

ª2º Second
Use this position for driving on more severe conditions
and lower speeds than ª3º third. To prevent excessive
engine speed do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this
range.
ª1º First
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 12 mph (19 km/h) or less
when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed,
do not exceed 12 mph (19 km/h) in this range.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in ª2º Second or ª1º First gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled 5th and 6th (if equipped) speed(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
²the transmission selector is in Drive;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 38 mph (61
km/h) for 5th gear and 55 mph (89 km/h) for 6th gear;
²the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº switch has not been
activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission shift schedule initially re-
stricts transmission operation in forward gear ranges to
3rd gear until the transmission fluid temperature rises to
282 STARTING AND OPERATING