GAUGE PACKAGE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional gauge package which has
one of the following configurations:
1. Transmission temperature gauge:
displays the transmission
temperature at the transmission
sump.
2. Hourmeter: displays the hours of
engine run time.
3. Voltmeter: displays electrical
system voltage.
Driver Controls
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Belt-Minderactivation and deactivation procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the on position. (DO NOT START THE
ENGINE.)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately
1–2 minutes.)
•Steps 3–5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure has
to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled. This can be done before or during Belt-Minder
warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
•After Step 5 the safety belt warning light turns on for three seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
•This disables Belt-Minderif it is currently enabled, or enable
Belt-Minderif it is currently disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling Belt-Minderis provided by the safety belt
warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling Belt-Minderis provided by:
•The safety belt warning light flashing four times per second for three
seconds.
•Followed by three seconds with the safety belt warning light off.
•Once again, the safety belt warning light flashes four times per second
for three seconds.
9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
Seating and Safety Restraints
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY – allows the
electrical accessories such as the
radio to operate while the engine is
not running.
2. LOCK – locks the automatic
transmission gearshift lever if
equipped with a P (Park) position
and allows key removal.
3. OFF – shuts off the engine and all
accessories.
4. ON – all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START – cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Starting the engine (diesel engine only)
WARNING:Operation of a diesel engine near flammable vapors
in the air may cause the engine speed to increase uncontrollably
and over speed. If this situation occurs, mechanical damage, fire,
explosion, personal injury or death could result.Turning off the
ignition key does not slow or stop the engine due to uncontrollable
fueling of the engine through flammable vapors being drawn into
the engine air inlet.Operation of components such as starter,
alternator, electric motors, etc. and static electricity could also ignite
flammable vapors.
Do not operate the truck in the possible presence of flammable vapors
unless both a complete hazard analysis is performed and necessary
additional safety processes and/or equipment such as vapor testing, air
intake shutoff devices, ventilation, etc. are utilized. The operator is
responsible for using those processes and/or equipment to ensure that
the diesel engine and all other components on the truck can be
operated safely under the specific conditions and hazards that may be
encountered.
Note:When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator as engine
damage may result.
3
1
2
5
4
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1. Ensure headlamps and all electrical accessories are turned off, the
parking brake is applied and the transmission is in the neutral position
(or P [Park], if equipped).
2. Turn the key to the on position, but do not start the engine.
In cooler weather, the air intake heater may activate the
light. If
the
light illuminates,do notcrank the engine until it goes off.
WARNING:If equipped with an air intake heater, DO NOT use
ether or any other starting fluids. The use of starting fluids
(ether) in an engine equipped with an air intake heater could cause an
explosion and result in property damage and/or personal injury.
3. When the
light turns off, turn the key to the start position;
when the engine starts, release the key.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, allow two
minutes for the starter to cool before trying again. Excessive cranking
may damage the starter.
After the engine starts:
•On some engines, the
light should illuminate after the engine
starts. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes or until the engine
coolant temperature gauge begins to rise. Maintain idle speed until
the
light turns off to indicate the air intake heater has shut off
(approximately six minutes); operating the engine at higher speeds
reduces the effectiveness of the air inlet heater.
•Do not increase engine speed until the oil pressure gauge indicates
normal pressure (as indicated by the arrows); this should be indicated
on the gauge within 15 seconds after starting.
•Idle the engine for three to five minutes before operating with a full
load.
•Try to limit engine idle to 10 minutes; excessive idling reduces fuel
economy.
•When starting a cold engine, increase the engine RPM slowly to make
sure adequate lubrication is available to the bearings.
Starting the engine (gasoline engine only)
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise.
Driving
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When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked. If your vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing
snow conditions, the engine air induction may become partially clogged
with snow and/or ice. If this occurs, the engine may experience a
significant reduction in power output. At the earliest opportunity, clear
all the snow and/or ice away from the air induction inlet. The following
starting instructions are for vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine; if
your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer toStarting the
engine (diesel engine only)in this chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
5. Turn the key to 4 (on) without turning the key to 5 (start).
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Starting a diesel engine with the vehicle on a steep grade
When starting a diesel engine when the loaded vehicle is on a grade, the
engine RPM starts to fall slightly when the clutch is engaged; do not
disengage the clutch and try to increase engine RPM as this may damage
driveline components. The engine recovers as the vehicle begins moving.
Cold weather operation
WARNING:Do not use volatile starting aids such as ether,
propane or gasoline in the engine air intake system. Glow plugs
may ignite vapors which can cause engine damage or personal injury.
For best engine operation in temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower:
•Make sure the batteries are the correct type and are fully charged.
Check other electrical components to make sure they’re in optimum
condition.
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from freezing.
•If your vehicle is equipped with a water-fuel separator, drain it daily.
Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent condensation
in the fuel system.
•Use the proper engine oil and maintain it at its proper level.
•
At temperatures of –4°F (–20°C) or below, it is recommended that you
use a crankcase-mounted coolant heater to improve cold engine starting.
•If operating in arctic temperatures of –20°F (–29°C) or lower, consult
your truck dealer for information about special cold weather
equipment and precautions.
Note:Idling in cold weather does not heat the engine to its normal
operating temperature. Long periods of idling in cold weather can cause
a build-up of heavy deposits of carbon and rust on valve stems causing
them to stick which, in turn, can cause valvetrain damage.
The use of winter fronts, or other air-restrictive devices mounted in front
of the radiator on vehicles with chassis-mounted charge air coolers, are
not recommended unless extremely cold weather conditions exist. Air
flow restriction can cause high exhaust temperatures, power loss,
excessive fan usage and a reduction in fuel economy. If you must use a
winter front, the device should have a permanent opening of at least 120
sq in. (774 sq. cm) directly in line with the fan hub.
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Hot weather operation
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent condensation
in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
•Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while
driving in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct
this problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting into
the next lower gear.
Restarting after running out of fuel
The fuel system may need to be purged of air, refer toRunning out of
fuelin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Engine shutdown (diesel engine only)
Allow the engine to idle for three to five minutes before shutting it
down. The larger the engine, the greater the need for this idling period.
However, do not let the engine idle for more than 10 minutes.
GENERAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
•Start the vehicle in motion by using the highest gear speed in the
transmission that lets the engine easily start the load without slipping
the clutch.
•Accelerate smoothly and evenly; rapid acceleration increases fuel
consumption without increasing engine performance.
•
When approaching a hill, press the accelerator smoothly to start the
incline at full power, then shift down as needed to maintain vehicle speed.
•When going down a hill, or long steep grades, prevent overspeeding of
the engine; normally, choose the same gear to descend the hill that
you use to ascend the hill. The engine governor has no control over
engine speed when it is being pushed by a loaded vehicle.
•Operate in a gear that permits an engine speed not in excess of the
maximum governed speed or high-idle RPM (no load).
•
Always shift to a lower gear at high altitudes to prevent engine smoking.
•Diesel engines:Allow the engine to idle for three to five minutes
before shutting it down; the larger the engine, the greater the need for
this idling period. However, do not let the engine idle for more than
10 minutes.
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WARNING:All vehicles have blind spots. To reduce the risk of
severe injury or property damage, never move your vehicle to
the side or rear or change lanes without being sure your way is clear
on both sides and to your rear.
Backing up
WARNING:To reduce the risk of the possibility of personal
injury while backing the vehicle, always be sure your vehicle’s
path is clear.
Before backing your vehicle, be sure you can do so safely. If anything
behind the cab limits your view, do not rely on mirrors alone to ensure
that your intended path is clear. If other people are in the vicinity, have
someone standing well behind your vehicle and outside of your intended
path (visible through an exterior mirror) guide you as you back up.
Although OSHA or some governmental regulations may require the use
of an electrical or mechanical back-up alarm to warn bystanders, such an
alarm does not ensure that the intended path is clear. When in doubt,
get out of the vehicle and visually check the intended path is clear;
back-up slowly as to allow others time to move, if necessary.
If an electrical back-up alarm is installed, it should be connected to the
back-up lamp circuit.
Parking your vehicle
Always use the parking brake. When parking on a grade, block the
wheels and turn the front wheels to one side so that if the vehicle rolls,
the front tires act against the curb to stop the vehicle. The front wheels
are more effective at stopping a rolling vehicle than the rear wheels.
WARNING:When parking your vehicle, do not leave the
transmission in gear; if the key is in the on position and the
vehicle rolls, the engine could start. Failure to follow these instructions
could result in an unattended vehicle moving, possibly causing personal
injury or property damage.
Driving through water
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs. Traction or brake capability
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