2011 Ram 3500 automatic transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures ..................... 44
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........ 44
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ...... 44
▫ Extreme Cold Weather .................. 44
▫ Normal Starting Procedure – Engine
Manifold Air Temperature Above 66°F (19°C) . 45
▫ Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C To 19°C) .... 46
▫ Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C) ............ 47▫
Starting Fluids ....................... 49
 Normal Operation – Diesel Engine .......... 49
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ............... 50
▫ Engine Idling ........................ 52
▫ Stopping The Engine ................... 53
▫ Engine Speed Control .................. 55
▫ Operating Precautions .................. 55
▫ Cooling System Tips – Automatic
Transmission ........................ 55
4

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ......... 57
▫ Block Heater Usage .................... 57
 Diesel Exhaust Brake (Engine Braking)
— If Equipped ......................... 58
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ....... 60
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 61
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override ........................... 61
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission With
Overdrive (68RFE) – If Equipped (Ram Truck
Only) .............................. 62
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
(AS68RC) – If Equipped (Chassis Cab Only) . . 68
 Manual Transmission — If Equipped ......... 74
▫ Shifting ............................ 75 ▫
Downshifting ........................ 76
▫ Reverse Shifting ...................... 77
 Power Take Off Operation — If Equipped
(Chassis Cab Only) ...................... 78
▫ Stationary Mode ...................... 78
▫ Mobile Mode ........................ 79
▫ Power Take Off – Aftermarket Installation .... 80
 Engine Runaway ....................... 81
 Fuel Requirements ...................... 81
▫ Fuel Specifications .................... 82
 Adding Fuel .......................... 83
▫ Fuel Filler Cap ....................... 83
▫ Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ........... 84
42 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
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 shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and press 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 pressed.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
Start the engine with the shift lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Extreme Cold Weather
The Cummins diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
•The 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.
44 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
•A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids in
preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
•A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Normal Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Above 66°F (19°C)
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting
the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake. 2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. For
vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, fully
press and hold the clutch pedal and shift into NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and watch
the instrument panel cluster lights.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filter to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
crank the engine. Do not press the accelerator during
starting.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 45

•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
Requirements” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for the correct engine oil viscosity.
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 MOPAR dealer.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0°F (-18°C). 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 MOPARdealer.
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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STARTING AND OPERATING 51

Your vehicle is equipped with a turbo speed limiter, this
feature limits the engine speed to 1,200 RPM when
engine coolant temperatures are below 70°F (21°C). This
feature is designed to protect the turbocharger from
damage and will only operate in PARK or NEUTRAL.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for five minutes before full loads are
applied.
NOTE:
•If ambient temperatures are low and the coolant
temperature is below 180°F (82°C), the engine idle
speed will slowly increase to 1,000 RPM after two
minutes of idle, if the following conditions are met:
•foot is off brake pedal and throttle pedal
•automatic transmission is in PARK
•vehicle speed is zero
•Applying the throttle will cancel fast idle
•If the engine is equipped with an exhaust brake,
operating the exhaust brake at idle will greatly im-
prove warm up rate and will help keep the engine
close to operating temperature during extended idle.
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber
temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn
completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings, engine valves, and
injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the
crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
If the engine is allowed to idle, under some conditions
the idle speed may increase to 900 RPM then return to
normal idle speed. This is normal operation.
52 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:For EVIC messages related to the vehicle’s
exhaust system, refer to “Maintenance Procedures/
Intervention Regeneration Strategy – EVIC Message Pro-
cess Flow” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Idle-Up Feature – Automatic Transmission Only
The driver-controlled high idle speed feature will help
increase cylinder temperatures and provide additional
cab heat, however, excessive idling may still cause the
exhaust aftertreatment system to not properly regenerate.
Extended periods of idle time should be avoided.
The Idle-Up feature uses the speed control switches to
increase engine idle speed and quickly warm the vehi-
cle’s interior.
1. With the transmission in PARK, the parking brake
applied, and the engine running, press the speed control
switch to the ON position, then press the SET switch. 2. The engine RPM will go up to 1100 RPM. To increase
the RPM, press and hold the ACCEL/RESUME switch
and the idle speed will increase to approximately 1500
RPM. To decrease the RPM, press and hold the DECEL
switch and the idle speed will decrease to approximately
1100 RPM.
3. To cancel the Idle–Up feature, either press the CAN-
CEL switch, press the ON/OFF switch, or press the brake
pedal.
Stopping The Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine three to five
minutes before shutting it down. This idle period will
allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the combustion chamber, bearings, internal
components, and turbocharger. This is especially impor-
tant for turbocharged, charge air-cooled engines.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 53

Engine Speed Control
CAUTION!
Prevent overspeeding the engine going downhill.
When descending steep grades, use a combination of
gears and service brakes to control vehicle/engine
speed. Overspeed can cause severe engine damage.
Operating Precautions
Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the engine coolant (antifreeze) (a
mixture of 50% ethylene-glycol and 50% water) must not
exceed the normal range of the temperature gauge 240°F
(116°C) with a 16 psi (110 kPa) radiator cap.
Usually the engine coolant (antifreeze) temperature indi-
cated during operation will be to the left of center in the
normal range of the gauge.
Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low engine coolant (antifreeze)
temperature below the normal range on the gauge 140°F
(60°C) can be harmful to the engine. Low engine coolant
(antifreeze) temperature can cause incomplete combus-
tion which allows carbon and varnish to form on piston
rings and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can
enter the crankcase, diluting the lubricating oil and
causing rapid wear to the engine.
Cooling System Tips – Automatic Transmission
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient temperature conditions, take the
following actions:
•City Driving —
When stopped, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL
and increase engine idle speed.
•Highway Driving —
Reduce your speed.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 55