2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab ignition

Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability.
23. Airbag Warning Light This light turns on and remains on for six to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. 24. Front Fog Light Indicator Light – If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on.
25. Seat Belt Reminder Light When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb
check or when driving, if the driver’s seat belt remains
unbuckled, the seat belt reminder light will flash or
remain on continuously. Refer to Occupant Restraints/
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlert )in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” in the
Owners Manual for further information.
24 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

EVIC Warning Lights
•
Water In Fuel Indicator LightThe “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will illu-
minate when there is water detected in the fuel
filter. If this light remains on, DO NOT start the
vehicle before you drain the water from the
fuel filter to prevent engine damage. Refer to “Mainte-
nance Procedures/ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Fil-
ter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
•Wait To Start Light The “Wait To Start Light” will illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the RUN position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66°F (19°C). Wait
until the “Wait To Start Light” turns OFF, then start the
vehicle. Refer to “Starting Procedures” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information. NOTE:
The “Wait To Start Light” may not illuminate if
the intake manifold temperature is warm enough.
Turbocharger Derate Mode Messages
The vehicle will display messages when a derate is
activated to protect the turbocharger during engine start
up in cold ambient temperatures.
•Engine Power Reduced During Warmup - This mes-
sage will display during start up when the ambient
temperature is between 10° F (-12° C) and -10° F
(-23° C).
•Engine Power Reduced Up To 30 Sec (Seconds)
During Warmup - This message will display during
start up when the ambient temperature is between
-10° F (-23° C) and -25 F (-32° C).
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 27

▫Operating Precautions .................. 47
▫ Cooling System Tips – Automatic
Transmission ........................ 48
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ......... 49
▫ Block Heater Usage .................... 50
 Diesel Exhaust Brake (Engine Braking)
— If Equipped ......................... 50
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ....... 52
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock .............. 53
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 53
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
– If Equipped (Ram Truck Only) ........... 54
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
– If Equipped (Chassis Cab Only) .......... 64
Manual Transmission — If Equipped ......... 75
▫ Shifting ............................ 75
▫ Downshifting ........................ 76
▫ Reverse Shifting ...................... 78
 Power Take Off Operation — If Equipped
(Chassis Cab Only) ...................... 78
▫ Stationary Mode ...................... 79
▫ Mobile Mode ........................ 80
▫ Power Take Off – Aftermarket Installation .... 81
 Engine Runaway ....................... 81
 Fuel Requirements ...................... 82
▫ Fuel Specifications .................... 83
 Adding Fuel .......................... 83
32 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.
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be seriously or fatally injured. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the shift lever. Do not leave the key
in the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
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.
34 STARTING AND OPERATING

Extreme Cold Weather
The Cumminsdiesel 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.
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.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 35

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.
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least
two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating
start procedure.
5. When the engine starts, release the key fob.
6. Check to see that there is oil pressure.
7. Release the parking brake.
36 STARTING AND OPERATING

Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C)
NOTE:The temperature displayed in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) does not necessarily
reflect the engine manifold air temperature. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion. When engine temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C)
the “Wait To Start Light” will remain on indicating the
intake manifold heater system is active.
Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting” procedure
except:
1. The “Wait To Start Light” will remain on for a period
of time (length of time depends on engine temperature).
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START 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.
2. After the “Wait To Start Light” goes off, turn the
ignition switch to the START position. Do not press the
accelerator during starting.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 37

CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least
two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating
start procedure.
3. After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil
pressure.
4. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until the
manifold heaters have completed the post-heat cycle.
5. Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:
•Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000
RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger
at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-
up.
•If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON
for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start
Light” goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five
seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 5 of
“Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air Tempera-
ture Below 66°F (19°C).”
Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C)
In extremely cold weather below 0°F (-18°C) it may be
beneficial to cycle the manifold heaters twice before
attempting to start the engine. This can be accomplished
by turning the ignition OFF for at least five seconds and
then back ON after the “Wait To Start Light” has turned
off, but before the engine is started. However, excessive
cycling of the manifold heaters will result in damage to
the heater elements or reduced battery voltage.
38 STARTING AND OPERATING