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REVERSE
This range should be used only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
This range provides all forward gears, including fourth
gear direct, fifth and sixth. Use this range for most city
and highway driving. Upshifts into both overdrive gears,
fifth and sixth, will be delayed when the transmission
fluid temperature is between -4°F (-20°C) and 41°F (5°C).
During very cold conditions when the transmission fluid
is below -4°F (-20°C), the transmission will be limited to
third gear. Normal operation will return after the trans-
mission fluid warms up.NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in second or 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 fifth and sixth gear. The transmis-
sion will automatically shift from DRIVE to fifth or sixth
gear if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 38 mph
(61 km/h) for fifth gear and 50 mph (80 km/h) for
sixth gear;
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated
(sixth gear is inhibited in “TOW/HAUL” mode);
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 71
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![Ram 3500 2011 Diesel Supplement NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher Ram 3500 2011 Diesel Supplement NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher](/manual-img/34/12592/w960_12592-74.png)
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally 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 transmis-
sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is
normal. Pressing the “TOW/HAUL” switch when the
transmission is sufficiently warm will demonstrate
that the transmission is able to shift into and out of
Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven in several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission 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 con-
verter will refill within five seconds of shifting from
PARK into any other gear position.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.
NOTE: During cold weather, you may experience in-
creased effort in shifting until the transmission fluid
warms up. This is normal.
74 STARTING AND OPERATING
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vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily
loaded or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift
speeds may not apply.
Maximum Recommended Up-Shift Speeds
Gear
Selec- tion Lto2 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
Maxi- mum
Speed 7 mph
(11
km/h) 15 mph
(24
km/h) 25 mph
(40
km/h) 40 mph
(64
km/h) 45 mph
(72
km/h)
Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is
recommended to preserve brakes when driving down
steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time
provides better acceleration when you desire to resume
speed. Downshift progressively. Do not skip gears to
avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine
which can cause valve damage, and/or clutch disc
damage even if the clutch pedal is pressed.
76 STARTING AND OPERATING
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POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY)
This vehicle when equipped with either the AS68RC
automatic six-speed or G-56 manual six-speed transmis-
sions, will allow for an aftermarket upfit with a transmis-
sion driven PTO (power take off). The customer will have
the ability to operate the PTO in either a “stationary” or
“mobile” mode. The vehicles will be factory set to the
“stationary” mode. In order to select the “mobile” mode
an authorized dealership is required to modify the vehi-
cle’s settings using their proprietary authorized dealer
service tool.
AS68RC Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Only
The PTO drive gear (part of the AS68RC) operates at
torque converter turbine speed. The turbine speed will be
less than engine speed when the torque converter clutch
is not engaged and will be same as engine speed when
the torque converter clutch is engaged.
Stationary Mode
To operate the PTO in this mode the vehicle must meet
the following conditions:
•Be in PARK position (vehicles equipped with auto-
matic transmission)
•Upfitter provider (on/off) switch has been activated
•Parking brake applied (vehicles equipped with
manual transmission)
•Brake pedal must not be applied
•Vehicle engine must be running
•No vehicle, brake or clutch switch faults present
•PTO must be correctly installed using the vehicle
provided circuits
78 STARTING AND OPERATING
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•Vehicle must be in PARK or DRIVE position (vehicles
equipped with automatic transmission)
•Parking brake must not be applied
•Brake pedal must not be applied
•No vehicle, brake or clutch switch faults present
•Vehicle engine must be running
•PTO must be correctly installed using the vehicle
provided circuits
The customer may choose to use the PTO while the
vehicle is moving. To do so, the PTO function must be
activated prior to taking the vehicle out of PARK. This is
accomplished by activating the upfitter-provided PTO
on/off switch. At this point, the customer may place the
vehicle in a forward or reverse gear and have PTO
operation once the vehicle begins to move. To disengage PTO operation and return to “standard vehicle opera-
tion” simply turn the upfitter-provided on/off switch to
the OFF position.
NOTE:
For application specific information with respect
to PTO and pump requirements and additional vehicle
information (wiring schematics, preset idle values, en-
gine speed limits, and vehicle hardware and software
requirements) please refer to the Dodge Body Builders
Guide by accessing “www.dodge.com/bodybuilder” and
choosing the appropriate links.
Power Take Off – Aftermarket Installation
If you did not order the PTO (Power Take Off) Prep
Package from the factory and want to convert your
vehicle, refer to the Body Builders Guide at
www.dodge.com/bodybuilder or contact the manufac-
turer directly at [email protected] (e-mail) or
(866) 205–4102 (toll free).
80 STARTING AND OPERATING
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JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing,
do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connect-
ing jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch
each other. Keep open flames or sparks away from
battery vent holes. Always wear eye protection
when working with batteries.
•Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 Volt system, i.e.,
do not use a 24 Volt power source.NOTE:
Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12 Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper
cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If the
indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
90 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 6.7L Diesel ......... 97
Maintenance Procedures .................. 98
▫ Engine Oil .......................... 98
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 102
▫ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter ...... 104
▫ Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of
Fuel .............................. 108
▫ Intervention Regeneration Strategy – EVIC
Message Process Flow ................. 109
▫ Diesel Exhaust Fluid – Chassis Cab Only . . . 112 ▫
Maintenance-Free Batteries ............. 112
▫ Cooling System ..................... 113
▫ Charge Air Cooler – Inter-Cooler ......... 119
▫ Brake System ....................... 119
▫ Clutch Hydraulic System ............... 121
▫ Transfer Case – If Equipped ............. 121
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 121
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 122
▫ Noise Control System Required Maintenance
& Warranty ........................ 125
6
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.7L DIESEL
1 — Battery7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
2 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped) 9 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Clutch Master Cylinder (Manual Transmission Only) 11 — Air Cleaner Filter
6 — Integrated Power Module
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 97